Why Joomla ? - Google Analytics & Joomla

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Google Analytics & Joomla

Wednesday, 04 October 2006

I've just started poking around with Google Analytics , despite being invited to use it 'by Google' some months ago... I suppose that's irrelevant now because its totally free!

This is great news for anyone using Joomla because we've been plagued with sub-standard statistics solutions for years - almost any stats extension I've tested that works doesn't offer the depth of Urchin - the platform and predecessor-brand that runs Google Analytics . In fact, pretty much any stats s/w I've ever heard about - whether it integrates w/J! or not, isn't as good as urchin/Google Analytics.

Here are some neat thoughts on using Google Analytics with a Joomla site (instead of some clunky, under-developed J! stats extension):

Its externally hosted, and by Google - whcih of course means that it won't 'go down' when your server crashes. Also, your stats data won't be stored in your site's database - speeding the site up overall.
You can manage multiple sites' stats in a single admin panel through 'profiles' - 10 are allowed per account but hey, registration is free so why not have a bazillion accounts opened for your infinate websites?
The 'content summary' will actually list hot content/'pages' on your site to help you guide content development. It actually lists clickable URLs - so if you have SEF URLs on your site, you can make direct sense of these stats,
You can do a site overlay and have clickthroughs displayed at clickable areas of the screen on top of a screenshot of your site!
Add your thoughts via comments...

[technorati tags:

google analytics, stats, joomla, ]

Comments (18) >>

Google Analytics rocks...
written by Tom, October 04, 2006

I've been using GA for a while now and can recommend it to everyone, the depth of stats are amazing. It also give you lots of info about any AdWords campaigns you may be runnung. As I've added more sites to it they've been increasing my max number allowed above 10, so it's pretty much unlimited now. Also check out the user goals bit, you can have it tell you what percentage of site visitors have fulfilled a specified goal - can be sent email via contact form, bought something in virtuemart etc. Very useful.

Totally Agree!
written by Sean Cook, October 08, 2006

The Google Analytics allows you to go really indepth with your traffic that is key to SEO/SEM campaigns. Whether using the Adwords, or other advertising techniques, the Urchin powered Google Analytics is bar-none a perfect combo! smilies/grin.gif

Google Analytics should be a default addition to any Joomla! Powered site!

...
written by yukari, October 20, 2006

Could you tell me how I can inseart Gooogle Analytics Tag in Joombla? I tried to include the tag in HTML code, but when it's saved, some parts of tracking tag appear in the page viewable by the viewer. Thank you. I came to this site from google search..

Plugin For Joomla
written by Sean Cook, November 22, 2006

http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,500/Itemid,35/ This is what I am using, but you also need a Google Analytics account: http://www.google.com/analytics/, no worries, its free. smilies/grin.gif

Google analytics
written by Gleb Esman, December 25, 2006

Isn't it easier to just insert analytics code manually in template's index.php right before tag? At least in my case - this makes tracking of all pages automatic and complying to all google rules. Gleb

Thanks
written by Srini, October 16, 2007

blog post as well as Gleb's suggestion are appreciated. I am going to try both, will go with whatever works better.
I have never used google analytics. Is it better than awstats? How does it compare?

How to insert code into index.php file
written by Paul, November 18, 2007

Hi Gleb, To insert the code into the index.php file do you do this through the Joomla admin panel or do you just edit with a Dreamweaver type editor, add the code and FTP the file to the server? Thanks, Paul

Don't touch the PHP, just put the Javascript code in your Article
written by Dan, March 11, 2008

Hi. The answer is that you can get all the Javascript code into your article that you want. How, since the HTML editor gets rid of all your nice code? Shut off the HTML editor in Global Settings. Now your article can have all kinds of Javascript, tables, style information, and without you being bothered. Stop messing around with the index.php in the template unless you really really need it. The GA is part of your site, not part of the layout of the site.

doesn't the code have to be on all pages?
written by Renee, March 12, 2008

I thought the Analytics code needed to be on all pages in order to track the entire site properly. I wouldn't expect it to work if you just put the code in an article somewhere. If the code is in the template's index.php file, it should appear on all pages. Dan, have you tested your solution? Just curious if it works.

No you don't have to add code to all pages.
written by monaye , March 19, 2008

Because Joomla reads template html file for all pages, once you include code in template html file, the code will show on all pages of your site. At least, it's true to me smilies/grin.gif

www.windesignworld.com and see for yourself smilies/wink.gif

If that's not the case, you're using unprofessional templates.

I should clarify
written by Renee, March 19, 2008

I think we're saying the same thing, monaye

I just wasn't clear. Because Joomla renders content dynamically, putting Google code in the template file effectively puts the Google code "on all pages." The template is always rendered whenever the site is loaded.
I was wondering how it might work if you put the Google code "in your Article," as Dan suggests. I'm not sure I follow his logic. The way I'm reading his post, if you put the Google code in a single article, data would only be collected when that particular article was displayed. If the Joomla site is set up to display that article all the time, his suggestion would probably work. Does that make sense?

put google code in module and publish on all pages
written by Dave, March 24, 2008

I just created a new module called google-analytics and put the google analytics code in the module then published it in the footer for all pages (set show title to OFF). This way doesn't matter what template you use or if you over write some file when updating your website the google code is still attached to all pages and you don't have to install a new bot.

How the .. , Where the.. Is it possible?
written by Harld Verbiesen, March 27, 2008

It's true, put the code in the template and there you go, but to track a specific download/link i would like to tag/label it. Where can someone do that?
Im using j1.5.2 , when you think it can get better, joomla is prooving you wrong! smilies/wink.gif

Which template html file?
written by pancho, April 26, 2008

I guess having one insertion of the code will do for most of us but which file exactly?
I don't see html template file in my template folder. the index.php, or the css file?

GA shows URLs but not article names
written by Jerry Rulewicz, May 07, 2008

I have GA on a couple sites and it works great but the only thing that has me puzzled is the fact that GA only shows the URLs of the joomla content. Yeah I know I can click and view what pages they are but it sure would be swell if the urls were article names instead.

Index.php for Pancho
written by Jerry Rulewicz, May 07, 2008

Pancho under templates are subdirs for every template you have. Open the one for your active template and add the GA code to that index.php. If you don;t have that structure your have a icky template.

analytics and statistics on webserver
written by michele, May 18, 2008

I've tried many different solutions: analytics code in the index.php of the template (and in the pop up window of "zoom gallery", a component that uses pop up), I've created a new module with the analytics code (published it in the footer of all the pages) and I've used " Google Analytics Tracking Module" but I always find a difference between analytics access and webserver statistics (webalizer). Webalizer shows 30% visitors more than Analytics. Do you have a similar experience? Have you got a solution?