Google Analytics

smcculloch posted on August 13, 2007 08:06

In an effort to examine traffic patterns better, I'm using google analytics once again. If you have not heard of google analytics, it is a traffic analysis service provided by google. Once you have signed up for the service, they give you a piece of javascript that you can either add to your skin or the default.aspx in dotnetnuke.

The good thing about using analytics is that you can disable the site log that is contained within DNN. The site log is useful, but not nearly as comprehensive as the analytics software.

If you were to have analytics setup for each portal, I would imagine you would need to have a unique skin for each portal with the script embedded in it. Since this site is a 1 portal installation, I've added it directly to the default.aspx page. The only problem with this method is remembering to re-add it on upgrades!

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# wakefly

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:20 AM

Google is a very nice free feature for analytics, down side is they only allow you to track 4 conversions.

I have implemented Visual Sciences's (was websidestory) Hitbox the scaled down version of HBX Analytics on wakefly.com a DNN portal, that was bit of a learning curve compared to the 3 line basic urchin install of Google.

Google is perfect for any site, Hitbox is more detailed in the sense you can track anything you want and without a limit on conversion goals.

Having both I can tell you they both report slightly different numbers but the same visitor metrics are in both.

Microsoft plans to release a beta version of its Web analytics tool called "Gatineau" soon. This will compete with Google.

# smcculloch

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:52 AM

I hadn't heard of "gatineau", thanks for sharing!

Here is a link to more information.

# smcculloch

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:53 AM

Hmm, have to fix that linking...

# solvedahlgren

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 2:31 AM

I am using Google Analytics and I choose to implement the Javascript in the Header section of a plain empty Text/HTML-module (without container) placed at the bottom of the page, shown on all pages.
I really like GA, use it on all sites. Only takes a few minutes to implement it. Have not tried the conversion stats though.

# Vitaly

Thursday, August 23, 2007 6:55 AM

There is a free GA module for DNN (don't remember who made it, but can look it up if anyone is interested). However, I woudl like someone to tell me is there a "preferred" way to deal with things like that? Putting it into Default.aspx is not an option - but between skin, header/footer of a module and a GA module... I would guess skin enclosure would be the most efficient in terms of processing?

# codoherty

Monday, October 15, 2007 6:29 AM

Some wonderfull guy out there has produced a PA and has released the source too. Just config the module to be seen on each page and set your GA key, this means no editing of the skin or default page. I have tweaked the source to exclude superusers and even private internal network traffic.

Really cool!

# DavidWSnow

Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:33 PM

I have tried both a free module and putting a Text/Html page with no text and the container not display one each page. My feeling was that DNN makes changes to the Text/HTML that are synchronized with DNN release. The last thing that I want to look forward to after and upgrade is a module that is one every page and is broke. So I went with the simpler solution.

I really love GA and use it to track my users.

Google Analytics

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