Web analysis tools

Free and low-cost resources

In today's Key Resource, I will introduce you to 2 tools you can use to help your online marketing efforts.

Extreme Tracking - Extreme Tracking has a free option that provides relatively good statistics about who is visiting your web site. If you're not currently tracking visitors at all, this is a good place to start.

One caveat about Extreme Tracking and other “free” online web log analysis tools. It is common practice with these tools that the same link you use to check your visitor stats can be used by anyone visiting your web site. Although this may not present a problem for some organizations, it can be devastating for others; particularly those in highly-competitive industries. (For an example of this, click here and click the little “globe” image link at the bottom of the page. This will show you all of the current web stats for a Toronto-based window manufacturer.)
WordTracker - As described on their web site, they “compile a database of terms that people search for. You enter some keywords, and they tell you how often people search for them, and also how many competing sites use those keywords.” A tool like this one is essential for effective search engine optimization.