Website Statistics

Keeping track of your site visitors is easy with website statistics. Website statistics are an essential tool in helping any web site owner find ways to improve and increase the traffic to their site. There are free website statistics software programs available from well respected companies, such as the Google Analytics program, or should be part of a web hosting plan.

What are web site statistics?
Web site statistics are constructed from the raw log data files gathered by your web host. Site stats tell you who is visiting your site, how long they are staying, what pages they view, and how often. Good web site statistics will also tell you where your traffic is coming from- specific search engines, searche terms and search phrases, countries, or links from other sites.

Do I need web site statistics?
If you would like to keep tabs on who is visiting your site, where your traffic is coming from, etc. you will definitely want good web site statistics. Besides providing you with useful information about your visitors, web site statistics can help you keep track of the bandwidth you are using and the amount of traffic you are receiving at any given time. Look for a web host who offers web based site statistics so you may view and access your statistics at any time, anywhere.

Not all web hosts offer complete site statistics. Ask to take a tour of their web site statistics program before you sign up. If you've already signed up for a web host you are pleased with, but would like better web site statistics we recommend signing up with Google Analytics or www.sitetracker.com. They will track your basic site statistics for free or for more detailed statistics plans range from $2.99 - $8.99 a month. Hitbox.com, awstats.sourceforge.net, and clicktracker.com are a few other good resources for tracking web site statistics.

Who offers the best web site statistics?
Most web hosting plans will include some type of site statistics but some are better than others. Make sure you read the fine print if you need top notch stats. As far as independent website statistics software, the best website statistics program is Google Analytics because of its robust reporting and reliability.