Re: Web tracking tools

From: Jim Novo <jimnovo_at_sprintmail.com>
Date: Thu 28 Mar 2002 07:08:59 -0600

Mike Freedman typed:

> Has anyone on the list used Urchin? This log analysis
> program seems to have many useful features, including
> options for limited e-commerce tracking and it's less
> expensive than Webtrends. I understand that Verio,
> Earthlink and a number of ISPs use Urchin, which is
> www.urchin.com For some reason, this program seems to
> be omitted from most reviews of log analysis programs
> I've seen.

and Stephen W. NeSmith typed:

> Regarding the question on site tracking tools, I'm
> surprised nobody has mentioned LiveStats by DeepMetrix.
> We stuck with WebTrends forever because we brainwashed
> ourselves into thinking it was an "industry standard"
> and it is a fine product. But LiveStats blows it away
> in functionality and features! Check it out at
> http://www.deepmetrix.com

As with any software, it depends on your requirements.
I've been analyzing customer transaction data my entire
career, so my requirements are no doubt different from
the average user. In a lot of companies, people don't
even use log analysis, much less turn the data from the
analysis into information that is actionable and makes
a difference. I have to, it's what people pay me for -
making a difference.

Urchin is a fine log analyzer, more flexible than most.
I do a lot of extensive filtering to get at the meaningful
stats, and Urchin doesn't have enough filtering options for
me. I also use a lot of entry page analysis, where I want
to see length of visit, number of pages viewed, keywords,
and path for just visitors using a specific entry page.
These stats are difficult if not impossible to get at with
Urchin and all the other remotely hosted products I have
seen. But a lot of people like Urchin for the speed, and
if the end users don't want extensive filtering or drill
downs, go for it!

DeepMetrix, like *all* log analyzers, provides a lot of
absolutely useless information from a marketing perspective,
and the fact I can organize and customize all this useless
information more easily than in other log analyzers is not
a benefit to me. Adding even more useless info (like
"forecasting" entry page volume) is not a benefit either,
when I still can't get at the info I need to make a real
difference. If you need that functionality, and can deal
with the need to run it on the web server's network, then
by all means, get it!

Jim

Jim Novo | Author: Turning Customer Data into Profits
http://www.jimnovo.com
Co-Author: The Guide to Web Analytics
http://www.hiqhq.com/webmetrics.asp





Received on Thu Mar 28 2002 - 07:08:59 CST