Quote:
Originally Posted by dburdon
Virtually all the campaigns are tracked by some form of analytics. I tend to use a combination of Google Analytics or the paid version of Statcounter. For larger campaigns Google Analytics has the edge because it is much better managing aggregate data. For smaller campaigns and B2B campaigns with a high unit lead value I prefer to use Statcounter as it can drill down and track the individual visitor behaviour. On some websites I even combine the two systems.
|
My questions:
- Are you sure that these third party tracking programs are good enough?
- Do Google analytics give a good enough report?
Thoughts: If I should make a tracking program myself, I would have done the following:
- At the lowest level, study your logs and use / make web server reports. Example: If you are on an Apache server. What can that platform offer you? Related information:
Apache module mod_rewrite
mod_rewrite - Apache HTTP Server
Welcome! - The Apache HTTP Server Project
- Make a script that track all activity on your site: Example. If you use PHP, (don't trust external data) $HTTP_SERVER would give important information. Note that the $HTTP_SERVER_VARS variable is deprecated. PHP Data filtering give additional possibilities
Related information on filtering:
PHP Tutorials Examples Filtering Data with PHP
Quote:
Originally Posted by dburdon
For several days they received no traffic from Google Adwords despite being charged for clicks. The website is properly tracked and the Adwords account has the auto-tagging feature activated. Yet no Adwords traffic has been delivered. The client has made test clicks, I have made test clicks and, I believe from IP addresses detected, that Google has made test clicks. All of these have been detected by the analytics programme. Yet no actual, genuine Adwords traffic has been delivered. None. Zilch.
|
That is a serious complaint and can not be taken easy by any company.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dburdon
Google have a monopoly. Where else can the client go? In my opinion Google's success has led to arrogance and hubris. and a disdain for the small businesses that helped build them. This particular client has been using Google Adwords for almost 5 years. Given, that even in the UK, Google are now the largest single advertising player with a turnover in excess of £2 billion ($3 billion), it is time that some external controls were placed on the Adwords platform. No other business of this scale would be able to self-audit and self-police its output.
|
David, you know my opinion. Google is not a monopoly, but have a monopolistic position in the online ad industry. To an economist, there is a difference between a monopoly and a monoplistic position.
Sometimes, I have thought, is it possible for a third party to intervene and hijack, manipulate, block or pollute the reports and traffic? Note my link above with the anchor text:
don't trust external data.
Conclusion. If you have time, try to make your own tracking and analytics software based e.g. on
- The Apache plattform.
- PHP data filtering.