Web Site Statistics Tips

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What can I do if my outbound links become a problem?

Should You Promote Outbound Links?

Outbound links are links within your Web site that lead to another Web site. For Web merchants, these links are usually from partner Web sites or other affiliates. These can be a good thing, but they can also turn bad. Web site statistics can help you determine when outbound links are hurting your business, rather than helping it.
Outbound links become a problem if they rob you of your visitors before they have a chance to make a purchase. Using Web site statistics, you can determine what pages your customers visit before they leave your Web site via an outbound link and which outbound links are robbing you of the most customers.
In most cases, this problem can be resolved by:
- Placing the links in a different spot
- Toning down the links, so they do not draw as much attention
- Putting the links only on the order confirmation page (which shows after a customer has made a purchase)
On the other hand, sometimes it may be better just to remove the links altogether, especially if you are not gaining any traffic or commission from them. This is yet another way that Web site statistics can help you get the most out of your Web site, your time, and your money.

   
How can knowing how visitors navigate through my Web site help me?

Web Site Statistics and the Path Through Your Web Site

Web site statistics will allow you to gain insight into how a visitor navigates through your Web site pages, so that you can then structure your Web pages accordingly. For example, if the most popular path through your Web site is:
1. Index
2. Payment Options
3. Services
4. About Us
5. Order
Then you will know that the majority of your visitors first want to know what types of payment you accept before they take the time to look through your services. This may be a clue to specifically give this information in your ads and on your home page. On the other hand, if the most popular path through your Web site is:
1. Index
2. About Us
3. Services
4. Payment Options
5. Order
Then you will know that the majority of your visitors want to know the history of your company before they spend time looking over your services. This often implies that a customer wants to know that you are an established and reputable company. This may be a clue that you should use ad space to promote the reputation of your company. For example, if you have been established for 10 years (quite a long time for an Internet business) or if you have worked with high-profile clients.
This type of insight is important because, if you advertise the type information that is most significant to your customers, you are more likely to grab their attention and make them want to take a look around.

   
What are Web site statistics?

What Are Web Site Statistics?

Web site statistics is a tool that allows you to know what is working for your Web site or business and what is not. Some of the things you can determine using Web site statistics include:
- If your advertising and Web site promotion methods are working, so that you can ditch the ones that are not working and where your visitors are “linking” from.
- Which of your Web site pages are most popular. This is most effective if you have a different product/service listed on each page.
- If you are losing customers to any ads or other “outbound” links that are featured on your Web site.
- How your Web site design effects customer behavior.
Information gained from Web site statistics is vital to improving your Web site in a way that will promote better sales or click through rates, rather than driving your visitors away.

   
How can Web site statistics help me see better end results?

Using Web Site Statistics to See Better End Results

Each Webmaster has his own goal. Some are selling a product, some are promoting their services, and others are trying to get visitors to click through to their affiliate Web sites. No matter what your goal is, web site statistics can help you achieve better end results.

Web site statistics trace visitor activities. This is important because you not only need to know how to get customers to your Web site, but you should also try to determine what gets them to purchase a product or click through on an affiliate link. For example, you may have a very high performing page because the Web site copy for that page is well written and helps “make the sell”. You then know to structure other pages according to this high performing page.

Web site statistics can also help you discover problem pages that may be encouraging your customers to leave. The reasons behind this can vary from an annoying banner ad to poorly written Web site copy. Nevertheless, you can then focus your attention on these pages and improve on them until your Web site statistics show that your customers are no longer leaving.

Regardless of your specific goals, Web site statistics can help improve your overall performance and give your Web site the chance that it deserves.

   
How can knowing where my customers are linking from help me?

Knowing Where Your Customers Are “Linking” From

Web site statistics can help you learn where your customers are “linking” from. This bit of knowledge is important for many reasons and may be one of the most significant marketing resources that you have available to you.
As a Web merchant, or anyone else who makes an income from their Web site, you advertise in many places in order to get visitors to your Web site. While some of these places are free, many more expect payment in return for this Web site promotion; however, you could be spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a Web site promotion method that is not bringing in any traffic. If you can weed out these bad tactics using Web site statistics, you can put more of your money towards good tactics that are bringing in visitors.
You may also be able to determine which ads are bringing in the most paying visitors and which are bringing in visitors who shop around, but usually never purchase. Remember, gaining Web site traffic is only half of the battle, you also have to make sales to see any money.
Ideally, Web site statistics can help you determine whether pouring your time into advertising in free areas is more beneficial than pouring your money into paid ads. Although it would be nice for all of us to get free traffic, this tactic may work for some, while others will be forced to shell out money before they see any positive results. Web site statistics will help you determine which category you fall in.

   
How can Web site statistics help me target customers?

How Web Site Statistics Can Help You Target Customers

Web site statistics help you understand how your advertising and Web site promotion methods are drawing in visitors, so that you can use this information to help your business flourish.
Web site statistics are a very important tool for Web merchants, who are not getting the results that they expected, because it helps them see where they are going wrong and allows them to devise a new marketing game plan. They can continue to try out new Web site promotion methods until they finally see positive results reflected in their Web site statistics.
Once their desired Web site traffic results are achieved, they can then continue to use Web site statistics to determine which of their products are most popular and redesign their Web site in a way that will promote these products.

   
How often should I check my Web site statistics?

Reading Your Web Site Statistics

When evaluating your Web site statistics, there are a few certain things that you should look for first:
- How many visitors are visiting your site per hour, day, week, and month.
- Which days tend to have the most visitors.
- Which hours of the day tend to produce the most traffic.
- What URLs your customers are coming in from and which are your top producing URLs.
- What ads are linked to your highest producing URLs.
- Which pages are visited most.
- How many visitors are getting to the “Order” page without placing an order.
- Which pages are losing the most visitors.
- If your visitors are leaving via your outbound links.
This information, complied together, will help you know more about how your visitors behave and what you can change to make that behavior work better for you. You should check your Web site statistics as often as possible, ideally everyday. This will help you make any necessary changes as swiftly as possible.

   
How do I know if there is a problem with my Web site design?

Is Your Web Site Design A Problem?

Your Web site design has a lot to do with how your customers will behave while on your Web site. This means that your customers may be influenced to look around, purchase, or even leave because of your Web site design.
For instance, your customers could get annoyed and leave your Web site if your colors are too bright, your font is too small or big, or if you have flashing banner advertisements. These characteristics can make it very hard for a visitor to read or focus on what your page says, which can make it very easy for them to get frustrated and leave.
The first indication that there may be a problem with your Web site design is if your Web site statistics show that your customers are leaving before they get past your index or home page. You can attack this problem by identifying potential problem areas, making changes, and continuing to track the progress of these changes by monitoring your Web site statistics. If you see positive changes, then you know that you are heading in the right direction. On the other hand, if you are still seeing a negative customer behavior pattern, then you will need to continue to tweak the Web site design until a positive change occurs. Eventually, you will start to see positive changes and the hard work and effort will pay off.

   
Why is my Web site design so important?

The Impact That Your Web Site Design Has on Visitors

How easily your customers are able to navigate through your Web site will determine how many of them stay to check out what you have to offer and how many will leave only after a few minutes. There are many things that can play a part in how a visitor perceives your Web site, including:
- Overall Web site design - Do you have a good theme? Is it consistent throughout the entire Web site?
- Web site structure - Do you lead customers through your Web site in a way that promotes maximum ROI?
- Graphics & banners - Are they flashy and annoying or do they blend in with the rest of your Web site content?
- How your information is displayed on each page - Is each page nicely organized or is there a lot of information that looks piled together quickly?
It is important to remember the impact that your Web site Design has on a visitor. If your visitors are frustrated by the lack of functionality and ease of your Web site, they will miss out on the advantages that your products or information can provide.

   
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