Accessing to Google Analytics Statistics

To access Google Analytics you must have a Google Account. This can be an existing GMail email address, or you can signup using your @ucalgary.ca email for a Google Account.

If you have a GMail or existing Google Account:

1. Submit a service request on the Arts IT web site at http://arts.ucalgary.ca/it/ with your Google Account and web site. We can then add your account to the profile for your site.

If you do not have a Gmail or existing Google Account:

1. Go to http://www.google.com/accounts

2. Click the Create an account now link on the right side of the page

3. Fill in the form, using your @ucalgary.ca email address as your current email

4. Click the I accept. Create my Account button

5. Check your email for a verification email from Google

6. Click the verification link in the email

7. Submit a service request on the Arts IT web site at http://arts.ucalgary.ca/it/ with your Google Account and web site. We can then add your account to the profile for your site.

Accessing your site statistics

1. Go to http://www.google.com/analytics

2. Click the Access Analytics button

3. Login with your Google Account

4. Click on your site in the list of sites

5. Explore the statistics available.

NOTE: Please check if you are viewing the Old or New version of Google Analytics by looking at the top of the page for a link that says New Version. If the link is there click it, then click the Make this version default link.

Definitions and TerminologyThere are a number of different terms used in Google Analytics that you should be aware of:

Visit – Someone who viewed one or more pages of your site in a single session (within a hour or so)

Unique Visit – Someone who viewed one or more pages of your site in the time period you are viewing

Bounce Rate – The ratio of how many people viewed a page and left your site versus those who viewed a page then moved onto a different page

Referral – A visitor who clicked a link on another website that took them to your site

Commonly requested statistics and where to find them

Question Report

What pages are most accessed Content->Site Content->Pages

What did people search for to find my site Traffic Sources->Incoming Sources->Search->Overview

Which sites link to my site Traffic Sources->Incoming Sources->Referrals

Which city/province/country are people from Visitors->Demographics->Location

What web browser is most common Visitors->Technology->Browser & OS

Filtering your statistics using Advanced SegmentsOne of the powerful tools in Google Analytics is called Advanced Segments. This tool allows you to break apart the data based on certain conditions. By selecting a single segment you will see only data that matches that condition, however by selecting multiple segments you can compare the visitors. For instance if you select the “Direct Traffic”, “Search Traffic” and “Referral Traffic” segments you can see how visitors that reached your site in different ways explorered your site, which pages they visited and other demographics which may help you improve your content.

1. Click the Advanced Segments button at hte top left of the main part of the page

2. Select the segments you want to view/compare

You can also create custom segments. This can be helpful to filter data further, for instance to view statistics on what visitors who were outside the University of Calgary network did versus those who were inside. To create a custom segment follow these steps:

1. Click the Advanced Segments button at hte top left of the main part of the page

2. Click +New Custom Segment

3. Enter a name for the segment

4. Select Include or Exclude

5. Select the condition you wish to use (ex: Service Provider)

6. Select how you want the comparison to be done (ex: exactly matches)

7. Enter a value to match to (ex: university of calgary)

8. Click Preview Segment to see what the results are

9. Click Save Segment to store the segment to your profile

To use a custom segment select it the same way you would select the segments discussed earlier.