» web analytics

The Web Farm Goes to BlogHer 2010

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:05:38 +0000

The Web Farm took its web analytics show on the road earlier this month at BlogHer 2010! If you haven’t heard of BlogHer, it’s an annual conference of woman bloggers that share professional resources and personal stories. To call it “SXSW for girls” which is what I used to do, is to sell it short. It’s a fantastic professional gathering of smart, talented and entrepreneurial women, and I was honored to be a part of it.

I spoke about (what else?) web analytics on the panel “Your Stats are a Business Asset” with Adria Richards, Stephanie Stiavetti, and Nancy Martira. We talked about everything from Google Page Rank to bounce rate to social media analytics to a standing room only crowd. It was an hour of lively conversation and smart questions that I hope we will get to repeat next year! It was great to see such enthusiasm about web analytics from such a large crowd. The Web Farm loves you, BlogHer! - Keidra

6 Steps for a website redesign. PART 2: Web analytics are a MUST

Keidra — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:05:28 +0000

The next part of our series focuses on web analytics, a topic that seems to be on a lot of people’s minds in the marketing world, but still shrouded in a lot of mystery.

Web analytics in a nutshell

So what is web analytics, exactly? To make a long story short, web analytics is a tool to help you to understand how visitors use your website. This is, of course, crucial if you’re using your website/online marketing to achieve your company’s business goals (marketing, sales, etc.)

You can’t get into every user’s head as they visit your site and ask them “is this content useful to you?” or “do you find our online registration form tedious?” but web analytics is the next best thing.

It’s one tool (among many – including usability testing, focus groups, surveys, etc.) to help you get into the head of your online customer and really respond to their needs and wants.

Information Overload?

Web analytics software generate metrics – or measurements – of website traffic. Most webanalytics software can spit out gobs and gobs of website traffic metrics. It’s pretty overwhelming, which is why some companies that try to embrace web analytics quickly throw up their hands in frustration after looking at all that data.

It’s about goals

This stuff can be complicated. To dig through all these reams of numbers to find the nuggets of information that will help your business takes more brainpower than tech power.

Web analytics can help you measure visitor traffic and improve the performance of your website, but exactly what to measure depends on what your site is and what you want people to do there. If you’re looking to get started with web analytics but don’t know where to begin, start with three basic questions:

What is my organization’s site for?
What do I want visitors to do when they visit my site?
What do I want my website to do better?

Sound familiar? These are very similar to questions that Emily mentioned in part one of our web redesign series. But it’s important! Based on your answers, you can identify the metrics that matter the most to you and your organization, and whittle down those gobs and gobs of metrics to the critical few that you’ll want to keep tabs on to help make business decisions. Of course, The Web Farm can help you with that part.

If you’re a non-profit, or a commerce-based site, or a content-based news site, these metrics will be very different. In this case, one size does not fit all.

You’ve got the power!

Until recently, only larger companies with big online marketing budgets could afford web analytics tools. Software and training was out of reach for most small businesses and non-profits.

But in the past few years free and cheap companies like Mint, Clicky, Yahoo! Web Analytics and of course Google Analytics have leveled the playing field so that web analytics solutions are available for smaller outfits who have a presence on the web.

It’s en exciting time! You’ve got more at your fingertips than ever before to create a fantastic web presence that makes your users happy and in turn, makes your business successful.

It’s our first After Work Special and we are so stoked!

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:33:52 +0000

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010: Web Analytics 101 at OfficePort Chicago

Come have a drink and learn about web analytics from your friends at The Web Farm. We promise it won’t hurt!

Do you have Google Analytics (or a similar free analytics tool) installed for your website? Learn how to do more than just ogle pageview traffic every day. The instructors at The Web Farm love this stuff and we want to help you learn more.

Learn:

What exactly IS web analytics anyway?
What stuff like pageviews, unique pageviews and bounce rate actually mean.
How to use web analytics to make your website better.
How to create web analytics reports your boss will care about
Where to go to learn more and get really dangerous with this stuff

This workshop is for small business owners or non-profit professionals who are new to online marketing, or who eyeing a revamp of their web presence. Come with questions!

Instructors: The Web Farmers – Keidra Chaney, web analytics and social media specialist AND Emily Lonigro, online branding and user testing specialist
Location: OfficePort Chicago, 9 W. Washington, just west of State
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Format: Interactive presentation, thoughtful Q&A and tasty drinks
Cost: $20 per person, FREE WINE!

NOTE: After you register, make payment via PayPal

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010: Special Web Analytics Event for Big Ooga Members

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:42:06 +0000

If you’re a member of Chicago networking group Big Ooga, we’ve got something special just for you!

Intro to Web Analytics: What it is, how to get started and what to measure

What is web analytics? It is a way to better understand your website’s visitor behavior by monitoring and analyzing website traffic. It’s a valuable tool for an organization with an online presence. Learn tips and tools how to incorporate web analytics as part of your organization’s online communications, marketing, or fundraising strategy. The instructors at The Web Farm make this in-depth topic not only informative, but fun! We love this stuff!

Learn:

Technology and fundamental thinking of Web Analytics (in a nutshell)
How to create measurable goals for your online marketing
Analytics planning and implementation in your workplace
Resources for training and education

Instructors : The Web Farmers: Keidra Chaney, web analytics and social media specialist AND Big Ooga Member Emily Lonigro, online branding and user testing specialist.
Location: Big Ooga HQ, 641 S. Wesley, Oak Park 60304
Time: 1-3:30 PM
Format: Private Gathering, Interactive Presentation & Thoughtful Q&A
Maximum: 20 people
Cost: $30 per person, $20 for Big Ooga Members (promocode: BIGOOGA)

Take the chill out of your Sunday afternoon with enlightening information, lite faire & libations. There will be time to mingle and sip.

(After you register, make payment via PayPal)

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