by Michael Wilson
So, in the last post we looked at the importance of collecting data, even if you're a creative who has a deep disdain for numbers. We also discussed some simple ways to collect that data i.e. Google Analytics.
So, now you're set up. You have the information. That was the easy part. Your next step is the million dollar question: What do I do with it? With so much information readily accessible it can be easy to get caught up in the wrong places, reach the wrong conclusions, and make the wrong adjustments. Or, if you're more like me, look at it all as one big messy platter of shapes that mean almost nothing to you.
So, let's figure out how to clear up that number soup and make some sense of all this.
In working with Google Analytics, things have been made fairly simple in terms of viewing your collected data.
One of the first things you will see when logging in is your 'Site Usage Statistics.' In a nutshell, this will tell you how many people are visiting your site. However, as with every section you will look at, it will be important to really delve into the different sets of numbers being provided.
For example, when looking at 'Site Usage,' you might see a really large number of visitors and get excited that your site is doing well. That's okay. But, what you'll want to look notice next is what those people are doing. For example, are they engaged with your site or are they bouncing right off? You can figure that out in the following columns.
Another statistic you can look at is your top content pages. That is, which pages on your site are receiving the most visits. This is a fairly important statistic to look at. You'll want to understand what content your viewers are engaging with the most -- and which content they're not. This should allow you to make the appropriate adjustments.
This blog series, much like the data you will see, should be thought of like a snapshot. It's not the entire story. You'll want to continue learning about data, continue looking at your numbers, continue evolving your sites or platforms.
The worst thing you can do is simply set up Google Analytics and never look at it again. Never let those numbers scare you creatives! Numbers, much like pieces of a project, can be broken down into easy, consumable bits.
We got this!
For a more in-depth look at what data is available to you and what you can do with it, follow this link.
Google Analytics Article
So, in the last post we looked at the importance of collecting data, even if you're a creative who has a deep disdain for numbers. We also discussed some simple ways to collect that data i.e. Google Analytics.
So, now you're set up. You have the information. That was the easy part. Your next step is the million dollar question: What do I do with it? With so much information readily accessible it can be easy to get caught up in the wrong places, reach the wrong conclusions, and make the wrong adjustments. Or, if you're more like me, look at it all as one big messy platter of shapes that mean almost nothing to you.
So, let's figure out how to clear up that number soup and make some sense of all this.
In working with Google Analytics, things have been made fairly simple in terms of viewing your collected data.
One of the first things you will see when logging in is your 'Site Usage Statistics.' In a nutshell, this will tell you how many people are visiting your site. However, as with every section you will look at, it will be important to really delve into the different sets of numbers being provided.
For example, when looking at 'Site Usage,' you might see a really large number of visitors and get excited that your site is doing well. That's okay. But, what you'll want to look notice next is what those people are doing. For example, are they engaged with your site or are they bouncing right off? You can figure that out in the following columns.
Another statistic you can look at is your top content pages. That is, which pages on your site are receiving the most visits. This is a fairly important statistic to look at. You'll want to understand what content your viewers are engaging with the most -- and which content they're not. This should allow you to make the appropriate adjustments.
This blog series, much like the data you will see, should be thought of like a snapshot. It's not the entire story. You'll want to continue learning about data, continue looking at your numbers, continue evolving your sites or platforms.
The worst thing you can do is simply set up Google Analytics and never look at it again. Never let those numbers scare you creatives! Numbers, much like pieces of a project, can be broken down into easy, consumable bits.
We got this!
For a more in-depth look at what data is available to you and what you can do with it, follow this link.
Google Analytics Article
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