What are Goals?

What are Goals? 

Goals, in Google Analytics, are something that you as the site owner can set up as an event such as someone performing an action that is desirable and that you want to measure.  Goals enable you to measure when a visitor has landed on a certain page on your site or visited a sequence of pages.  

 

For example, if you have an online store, you can set up the order confirmation or thank you page as a Goal.  Now each time someone buys something from your site you will see that Goal increase, allowing you to measure it over time.  Of course you probably have other ways of measuring a sale, but having it as a Goal allows you to do further analysis and ask questions such as: where do most of the customers who complete a transaction come from - search, direct to the site, referred from another website etc.

 

Where can I find this information?

Select Conversions, Goals, Overview to view data on goals you have already created.

 

To create Goals select the Profiles screen, select Goals and Add Goal. Follow the steps to create your goal. Once you have defined your goal(s), verify that it is working by selecting the appropriate goal report from the Conversions section of your analytics.

 

 

 

Adjusting the Time Range

Timing is everything when comparing your analytics.  By default Google will display a month long range, ending the day before you are viewing the report e.g. if you are looking at the report on July 26th, it will display June 25th July 25th.

 

To adjust the date range, click on the date range box on the upper right hand corner of your analytics page, this will display a calendar pop-up.  Use this to select the date range you are choosing to review. 

 

If you want to compare your data to another time period, e.g. compare March 2011 to March 2010, select the Compare to Past tick box under the Date Range field and select the dates you wish to compare.

Sharing your Findings

At the top of each report, just below the title, you will see an Export button, next to Advanced Segments.  You can export data from Google Analytics as a PDF, Excel spreadsheet, CSV or TSV file.  You will then be able to share these report with your business partners, staff or whoever you want.

Benefiting from Analysis

Google Analytics is about more than just collecting data.  By tailoring these analytic reports and reviewing them on a frequent basis you will be able to fine tune your website, bringing in higher quality prospects to your site who you can convert to customers in the future.  

Need Help?

Want to find out more about Google Analytics or how to optimize your website for conversion?  

Small Business BC will be running an Ask a Web Expert on September 22nd, 2011 with Mark Tempest of Deepnet Media.  

Book now for a one-to-one consultation with Mark at our offices in Waterfront Station, Vancouver or via Skype.  Consultations are 45 minutes long, are by appointment only and must be booked in advance. 

To find out more about this Ask the Expert or to book an appointment contact Client Sevices at 604-775-5572 or 1-800-667-2272.