Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Website Traffic Statistic Service.

Ratings

Ecommerce Statistics

These stats relate information related to sales and campaigns, the best services track campaign conversions and calculate ROI. Most services can also track conversions and referrers by search engine, keywords, country or other.

Statistics

Website traffic statistic services should offer more than what can be reported through a free service; it ought to go beyond page and visitor information and include conversion data and trends.

Other Features

Other features offered by the service may include tools like counters, email reports, unique queries and more.

Technical Help/Support

Top services offer easily accessible, comprehensive customer support by telephone, email and embedded help. Many also host user forums, offer 24/7 support and supply a user manual or guide.

STATISTICS

Traffic Overview

A general traffic report that includes statistics like the total number of visitors and page views.

Life Time Stats

Program allows users to look at the stats accumulated since the origin of the account.

Page Statistics

Total Page Views

The total number of page views in a certain period of time.

Time Spent Per Page

Usually, this refers to the average time visitors spend on a specific page.

Most Requested

A list of the most popular pages.

Entry

The page visitors enter the site on.

Exit

This is the page visitors leave a site from.

Page Not Found, 404 Error

This is an error message that might be displayed if a requested file (or page) cannot be found or displayed.

Click Path Analysis

This is the path a visitor travels through a site; a click path analysis is either an individual’s path or the most popular paths.

Time Spent Per Site (or Per Page/Visitor)

This report relates the amount of time a visitor stays on a specific page or on the site in general.

Visitor Statistics

Unique

Number of individual visitors, including returning and new.

Returning

A visitor that has been to the site before, usually tracked by IP address.

New

This type of report relates visitors who have come to the site for the first time within a certain period of time.

IP Address

Internet Protocol Address, the number used to identify a network device.

ISPs or Organizations

Internet Service Provider or organization that provides access to the Internet.

Can Drill Down

Visitor statistics can be drilled down to from a summary page, for example if the top visitors are listed, "details" of a specific visitor can be assessed by clicking on their listing line.

GEOGRAPHY

Country

Service relates the country of origin for visitors.

Time Zone

The service tracks the time zone visitors are from.

Language

The language preference of a visitor.

Cities

The city a visitor accesses the site from.

States/Regions

The region or political state a visitor accesses the site from.

Visitor Maps

A world map that relates where visitors are from.

Technology Statistics

Operating System

A visitor detail that relates operating system used or a list of the most popular OSs used.

Browser

The browser visitor(s) use.

Java

An object oriented programming language which utilized aspects of C and C++.

JavaScript

A scripting programming language.

Cookies

A message given to a browser from a server.

Netscape Plug-ins

Software programs that extend the abilities of a Netscape browser.

Internet Service Provider

The provider the visitor uses to access the Internet.

Display Colors

The display color or color depth of a monitor.

Screen Resolution/Depth

The screen resolution of the visitors monitor.

ECOMMERCE STATISTICS

Summary

Usually, the summary relates total sales or transactions during a specific period of time.

Conversions Per Time Period

The conversions during a set period of time, sometimes separated by campaign type.

Revenue

Per Time Period

Revenue generated during a specific time period.

By Product

Revenue generated from a specific product.

By Product Group

Transactions and dollar amount sorted into product group, such as "house wares."

Average Order Size

Service computes average order size and relates that information in a report.

Marketing

Campaign ROI

Service can computer ROI of a campaign.

Campaign

Website traffic service can relate conversion by a specific campaign.

Search Engine

Conversions relayed by a particular search engine.

Search Keyword(s)

Conversions compared to keywords used.

Referrer Domain

Service can track the referrer’s domain.

Referrer URL

The URL of the referrer, which is more specific than domain and lets the marketing team know exactly which page visitors are coming from.

Country

The country of origin for conversions.

Drill Down Ability

Reports can be drilled down on or magnified for more specific information.

Referrer Statistics

Search Phrases by Search Engine

Reports can be configured to display search engine information as well as the search words used per search engine.

Tracks Robot or Spider Visits

Some programs formulate a separate visitor report that relates information about the search engine spiders or robots that have visited the site.

OTHER FEATURES

Report in Local Time

Most services use the server's local time as the time reference point.

Universal

Service uses GMT or can be set to relate activity in this universal time zone.

Invisible Counter

Service can install an invisible counter onto a page that counts all visitors.

Configurable Counter

A customized counter can be installed, like one that utilizes a specific font, invisible/visible or to specified pages.

Block Own IP Address

Service can be instructed to not count visits from specific ISPs, so data is less likely to be distorted.

Tracks Secure Pages

Tracking code can be placed into secure pages without triggering security warnings.

Tracks Dynamic Pages

Can track dynamic pages like PHP pages.

Unique Queries Available

Service supports the ability to create unique comparisons or reports based on selected or tagged criteria.

Email Reports(or Alerts)

The website tracking service can send email reports or alerts when certain events occur.

Password Protected Reports

Reports can be locked with passwords so access is limited.

Non-English Languages Available

User interface and reports are available in non–English languages.

User Access Management

Administrator can set level of access per user.

Multiple Site Management Tools

Service provides tools to make it easy to manage several accounts. Some provide discounts for multiple sites as well.

Technical Help/Support

Telephone Support

Service provides telephone support.

24/7 Email Support

Manufacturer provides email support 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Email Support

Software provider offers email support or an inquiry form that can be sent in for assistance.

Online Help/ Knowledgebase

Online help in the form of a knowledgebase, help pages or glossaries is posted for user support.

Tips and Articles

Website publishes tips on how to use their product or industry news, trends or best practice articles.

Chat/IM/Live Support

Instant support is offered through instant messaging or live chat.

Tutorials

Tutorials or how–to guides are supplied for product training.

User Manual/Guide

Service comes with a guide or manual for training.

24/7 Online Support

Distributor provides product support 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions are posted that answer questions commonly asked by users.

User Forums

Active forums are hosted online for support, announcements, training and customer interaction.

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