Need A Way to Get Accurate Website Statistics 3

[xyzuser]

I've been using the two statistics generators provided by my website host. It gives a full profile of the site (total hits, total visits, top pages, how many times each URL was seen, et al) I added some external CSS styles and now they're counting every execution of each external CSS style as another hit. So I can no longer tell how many true hits/visits/top pages etc. that I am getting.

Does anyone have suggestions for what to use (or for how to get around this problem with the existing statistic generators?)

Sorry - I know its another "inexperienced user" question.

 

[feherke]

Hi

Do you have access to the web server's access log file ?

Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/

 

[vicvirk]

xyzuser,

most stats packages include filters where you can go in and filter out pages that you do not want to include in your final numbers.

If they don't have that ability, try using Google Analytics - it's free and a great tool.

The only downfall of Google Analytics is that it's hard (not impossible from what I've read) to track users that have javascript turne off - Feherke, Foamcow what do we do ;-)

If you need do have access to log files (as mentioned above) you can run them through a stats package to get your results (they'll have filters).


TIP: trying googling the answer before posting, you'll find that more times than not someone else somewhere has had the same request and posted an answer online.

 

[xyzuser]

feherke - I should know but I don't know. I'll have to find out from the host support.

vicvirk - If they have filters I don't have access to them. So Google analytics does have filters available?
Do I then list each CSS style sheet (and javascript) by name? Or just the CSS folder?

Thanks

 

[vicvirk]

Feherke is actually a user on these boards, I've had discussions with him about enabling non-javascript browsers accesss sites - don't talk to your host about that, they won't know what you're talking about

Yes, you can filter out certain pages in Google Analytics, or you can filter out the whole folder. You can also set it up so only certain folders get indexed and the rest don't - this is the easiest way if your directory structure separates content from design...

Good Luck...

TIP: trying googling the answer before posting, you'll find that more times than not someone else somewhere has had the same request and posted an answer online.
----
I have recently been semi-converted to ensuring all my code (well most of it) works in both javascript and non-javascript enabled browsers

 

[xyzuser]

vicvirk - Thank you (and a *). I set up the Google analytics though I found the filter instructions not very clear (at least for an ineperienced person). I can't tell whether I have the filters set up right. I suppose after a few days if it doesn't list CSS and javascript folders that will mean that it is right.

feherke - I sent a help request to the host to find out if I have access to the "access log file". If the answer they send me is "yes", what do I do then?
Thanks

 

[johnwm]

1. Download the log file
2. Use a log analysis tool - see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_log_analysis_software

for description and options

If you want the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first.
'If we're supposed to work in Hex, why have we only got A fingers?'
Drive a Steam Roller

 

[feherke]

Hi

Feherke is actually a user on these boards, I've had discussions with him about enabling non-javascript browsers accesss sites - don't talk to your host about that, they won't know what you're talking about smile

I have to say, this comment left me speechless. Especially the last part about a hosting service where nobody heard about access log.

For paid hosting the raw log files ( both access and error ) used to be available, for free hosting usually their own/pre-installed software is the only way. If you can get the access log file, see johnwm's reply. If you can not get the access log, a lot of additional questions will be needed to find out if and how the results could be fine tuned.

xyzuser's suggestion, the Google Analytics, is a third party tool. That means the statistic code is linked into the HTML from an external host. There are many paranoid peoples and tools who block the loading of such third party content. I am not one of them, but when I wanted to answer a question quickly here on Tek-Tips and the test site had problem loading some Google code, I blocked them. ( Note to myself, enable them after posting this reply. Although I could simply let it blocked... )

So I would say, for simple, accurate, configurable solution try an access log analyzer first. ( Or why not, try and use many access log analyzers. ) If access log file is available. So first find out if it is available.

Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/

 

[xyzuser]

Thanks johnwm - I am looking at the tools on the page you sent me to. Though It isn't so clear to me how/where the filters for someof these are (again, I don't have your experience)

feherke - I have the access logs, though they seem to be limited in the period they cover. Some are "referrer" logs - I don't know what the difference is between these and the other log files.

Is Google Analytics really going to stop people from using the site? I've now heard from a number of people who use them but you are the expert.

And *s to both of you for your taking your time and help.

 

[feherke]

Hi

Some are "referrer" logs - I don't know what the difference is between these and the other log files.

Apache has a nice document about Log Files. I suggest to take a look, it may clarify some aspects.

The log files' format is configurable. The traditional one is the Common Log Format. That was extended to Combined Log Format by adding the [tt]Referer[/tt] and [tt]User-agent[/tt] HTTP headers too. But all this is just common usage, not standard.

You have to look at their configuration to be sure. ( Now this is less probable that your any hosting provider will show you. ) But of course, the log file's content itself is quite self-explanatory.

Is Google Analytics really going to stop people from using the site?

No. However there are rare occasions when the analytics code is loaded veeery slow. That is irritating if some JavaScript code should be executed after the page is loaded.

One thing I forgot to mention previously about third party statistic tools. For example Google Analytics is triggered by including a script (

http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js

) into each HTML document. This means :
[ul]
[li]you have to included it in each HTML document you wish to track[/li]
[li]you can track only HTML documents[/li]
[/ul]
So you will not find out for example if :
[ul]
[li]the file /gallery/girlfriend_in_swimsuit.jpg is downloaded too many times ( maybe linked from a pervert forum )[/li]
[li]the file /dissertation.pdf is downloaded too many times ( maybe a stupid bot tries to index it but always fails )[/li]
[/ul]


Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/

 

[vicvirk]

I have to say, this comment left me speechless. Especially the last part about a hosting service where nobody heard about access log.

I wasn't talking about the log files, from the user's post, it sounded like he was going to ask his host if they had "Feherke" installed. But when I go back and read it now, he was obviously responding to your question - my bad...

:~/

TIP: trying googling the answer before posting, you'll find that more times than not someone else somewhere has had the same request and posted an answer online.
----
I have recently been semi-converted to ensuring all my code (well most of it) works in both javascript and non-javascript enabled browsers

 

[feherke]

Hi

Ah, that explains it. I was afraid I misunderstood something again due to my weak English skill.

Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/