FocusOnCrofton TrafficAs a Newbie on Google Analytics, I still don't have my feet grounded and don't know exactly which information is the most important.  I’m most fascinated to see what the sources are for visitors to my local blog, FocusOnCrofton.com, and suspect that will impact what and how I write in the future.  While it doesn’t surprise me that most of my visitors come from search engines, it is a surprise to see that referrals from ActiveRain number fewer than 70 (just one of several “referring sites”) in spite of the fact that I have links to it on many of my posts.  

Probably the biggest surprise came from matching my posts with peaks in the graph showing how many visitors there were each day.  The most visited post was apparently Forbes Magazine: D.C. Area is #2, which took about 5 minutes to write.  My market study for the area, with its three colorful graphs and more than an hour of preparation, had fewer visits than most other posts. 

I can only guess that this is because the Crofton Real Estate Market Update was posted on a Saturday, when readership is always down.   No question that Monday has the highest traffic, so I may want to re-consider my flexible schedule of Monday/local content, Wednesday/real estate, and Friday/random topic.  Then again, maybe it’s the local content readers are looking for and the day has nothing to do with it.  The only way I can know for sure is to do some tinkering with that schedule.

Another surprise was The Most-Asked Question Leading Visitors to my Website, asked by many more people than followed “Crofton Maryland” search engine results to my website.  Frankly, it’s possible that all of those could have been me!

And yet, I got a listing in Millersville and another in Bowie last month, due in part to my Internet presence.  So I’m still struggling to make sense of my Google Analytics report and learn how to use it to improve traffic to my blog.  After a month, I’m still feeling very much like a Newbie without much sense of direction.

If you aren’t yet using Google Analytics, why don’t you sign up this weekend and we can learn together.  I just discovered a Google Analytics Group here on ActiveRain, so I joined with the hope of learning to make the use of this tool.


Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.  Margaret Woda

 

Copyright 2006-13. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

  DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.

________________________________________

Margaret Woda, Crofton Realtor


Margaret WodaMargaret Woda, REALTOR & Associate Broker
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114
Direct:  (410) 451-6245 or click on EMAIL

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25 Comments on A Google Analytics Newbie Analyzes Her February Report

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
01
2009
602,774 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Margaret, I'm an analytics junkie! Seriously. Though I use Visistat rather than Google and check it a few times a day. There's so much interesting data and insight to be gained by following the analytics for your blog. I've certainly tweaked some things based on thelts.
1:39pm • #6
522,806 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hopefully it will help me also.  I have also been looking at Hubspot which will analyze the pages of your website as you wait.
1:50pm • #7
470,404 Points 40 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have GOT to get up to speed on how to implement and utilize Google Analytics and appreciate your post on the subject. I think I will search AR for other posts about this too, Thanks and have a great weekend!
2:06pm • #8
827,512 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Krista - Another new experience as a result of my ActiveRain membership

Sheldon - Sounds like a deal.  Let's all join the group so we have a central place to exchange our experiences and try to post at the end of each month.

Shirley - See you there!

Richard - It's cold in Crofton today, and we're expecting 6-8 inches of snow tonight.

Brian - I might have to follow your example and check that out, too.  'Would love to see more about what you've learned and changed as a result of your analytics.

Larry - 'Not familiar with Hubspot, so I guess that's something else for me to check out.

Russell - I'm sure there are some G.A. experts we could all learn from.  I tend to be a trial and error learner.  LOL.
2:28pm • #9
1,072,306 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Margaret, I have been using it for well over a year.  I find information like which search engines generate the most hits, what pages people enter from and a host of other key data.  I am just starting because of limited time...condensing some key issue to zero in on better SEO.  Nice post Margaret.
7:35pm • #10
296,366 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Oh great - something else I need to figure out!  OK - I'll put it on the TO DO list!
9:08pm • #11
138,405 Points

Margaret - thanks so much for putting this out there! I am looking forward to learning as well!
9:31pm • #12
MAR
02
2009
619,719 Points 61 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret

You have some really good tips. I haven't done the Google Analytics yet, and I'm glad you pointed out there's a group on Active rain. So I'll have to check that out.

Best,

Pacita
2:47am • #13
827,512 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm laughing at your comment, Mr. Downing!  LOL.  That's how I felt about it, too, but my SEO coach pointed out that it's the only way I can really know what's working - or not.

Pacita and Naoma, I figured that writing about it might force me to check it periodically.  We'll see.

Gary, It sounds like you started a year ago but just started really looking at it recently?  At least you have a ton of data... I'm not sure how much I can tell from just one month.
6:30am • #14
886,123 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret, we have lots of bells and whistles on our web site and I joined Google Analytics awhile ago. The problem is finding the time to keep up with all of it AND do real estate.
8:40am • #15
624,458 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret I need to put this on my to do list. Hopefully I can learn also more about Google Analytics group here on Active Rain. Thanks for sharing this Margaret. Great post.
8:46pm • #16
827,512 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Frank & Sharon - Isn't that the truth!

Lanre - It's about that to-do list... it keeps getting longer, the longer we stay on ActiveRain!
9:27pm • #17
MAR
05
2009
171,605 Points 2 Featured Posts

Margaret, I have had google analytics for a few months now.  I don't think I am doing something right because I am not getting the kind of information even you are getting.  I think I need to go back and review how it was set up in the first place.  I obviously need more help than you do.
11:57am • #18
MAR
06
2009
463,283 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret - I have been using google analytics for about a year now on my website and am still overwhelmed by all the info in it. I could spend all day on it and still never understand all of it. I am going to look into it more now.
7:35pm • #19

Margaret,

I'm like you, a newbie. I have a google adwords account, but am not actively using it.  Its value is the analytics to me.  I think that keeping track of what most people are googling and using those words in my blog posts is very valuable.  I use my blog's analytics to find how people found me. Its a learning experience, for sure, that takes time and trial and error.
7:42pm • #20
MAR
14
2009
320,138 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I use to use www.statcounter.com.  What is the difference?  Do you or anyone else know what are the benefits of GA compared to statcounter. 
8:31pm • #21
MAY
21
2009

Wow, this is impressive. I need to do this. It's just info overload sometimes and i don't know what to do. You are on the right track!
9:30pm • #22
827,512 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kate - You are so right.  Way too much information.  How are we ever supposed to find time to list and sell real estate?

Judy - I'm sure they do the same thing.  I have site meter, but it's less detailed.  I'm not familiar with statcounter.com, and I don't have the time to compare the two right now.

Chris & Karen - It's a slow process, learning all these new things and then finding the time to use them.  But I do certainly see the value.

Robert - If you figure out a way to make it "easy" please let me know.

Troy - I just spent a couple hours clicking on this and clicking on that... trial and error!
10:57pm • #23
JUN
23
2009
193,337 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Margaret - Did your SEO coach help you get it set up on your website/blog?  I've tried twice and it still isn't up and running.  Does anyone here on AR know someone who hires out cheaply?
5:32pm • #24
JUN
01
2010
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Good, strong points about being accountable to what is working and what needs improvment.  -- Not yet on Google Analytics -- I think you convinced me.  Thanks..
11:41pm • #25

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Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services, Margaret Woda (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD 21114) Ambassador_large

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

Margaret Woda

Crofton, MD

More about me…

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD 21114

Address: 2191 Defense Hwy., #120, Crofton, Bowie, and Davidsonville, MD, 21114

Office Phone: (410) 721-1500

Cell Phone: (301) 346-2923

Email Me

Real Estate and community information for home buyers and sellers, military transferees, and rookie agents in the greater Crofton area, including Bowie, Davidsonville, Fort Meade, Gambrills, Odenton, and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

EHO



Margaret Woda




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