There are so many analyzer softwares out there and they’re only improving. Some provide “heat pad” views of where users are most active on the sites; others go so far as to provide a real-time view of user navigation! Though the latter isn’t something I necessarily recommend for the long-term (time sucker!), it’s an incredible tool for beta-testing a new application.

In-bound keywords can be very telling. It’s essentially free market research. Keywords let you know how your user market describes what they’re looking for and what terms they use. At the same time, it can let you know if you’re search terms are attracting the RIGHT user type.

There are so many analyzer softwares out there and they’re only improving. Some provide “heat pad” views of where users are most active on the sites; others go so far as to provide a real-time view of user navigation! Though the latter isn’t something I necessarily recommend for the long-term (time sucker!), it’s an incredible tool for beta-testing a new application.

In-bound keywords can be very telling. It’s essentially free market research. Keywords let you know how your user market describes what they’re looking for and what terms they use. At the same time, it can let you know if you’re search terms are attracting the RIGHT user type.

Here’s one post-launch step to assure e-commerce sites are in sync with those who come to browse and buy:

–> Generate traffic reports at least weekly from site log files or add-on software (StatCounter, Deep Log Analyzer, MindVis, Power-Stats, OneStat) to monitor and analyze:

* How users navigate through the site

* What makes them click from page to page

* What info is most popular (‘stickiest’ pages, most unique visitors/returnees)

Logs or monitoring programs also let administrators and e-marketing advisers track inbound keyword phrase searches and traffic origins for critical data and possible tactical tweaks.

Responding to what’s learned helps drive — and convert — “gangbuster traffic” by improving user experience, raising visit frequency, extending stays and generating those green arrows that earn b-i-g smiles.

Here’s one post-launch step to assure e-commerce sites are in sync with those who come to browse and buy:

–> Generate traffic reports at least weekly from site log files or add-on software (StatCounter, Deep Log Analyzer, MindVis, Power-Stats, OneStat) to monitor and analyze:

* How users navigate through the site

* What makes them click from page to page

* What info is most popular (‘stickiest’ pages, most unique visitors/returnees)

Logs or monitoring programs also let administrators and e-marketing advisers track inbound keyword phrase searches and traffic origins for critical data and possible tactical tweaks.

Responding to what’s learned helps drive — and convert — “gangbuster traffic” by improving user experience, raising visit frequency, extending stays and generating those green arrows that earn b-i-g smiles.