How Reliable is Google Analytics?

sapphirescales

sapphirescales

Plume 'O Smoke
Jun 27, 2010
800
8
0
Land 'O Lakes
I'm starting to wonder how reliable Google Analytics really is. Okay, let me start out by saying that I own a computer repair business. Today I KNOW that I got three visitors from two different cities (as they actually made appointments and had their computers repaired today). They must have found me though Google organic search results because I'm not doing AdWords anymore (thank God!) and they responded through the contact form on my website. Despite this, According to Google Analytics, my bounce rate was 100% and no one spent more than 0min, 0sec on my site. This isn't possible. I'm really starting to doubt how accurate Google Analytics really is. This isn't the first time I've found discrepancies in the data they've given me. What do you guys think? I really need accurate data and if Google Analytics isn't doing it for me, I'm going to need some sort of alternative.
 


I don't think Analytics tracks visitors who don't have javascript enabled. Besides that it's always looked pretty accurate to me.

Get a server side analytics package like Statcounter and compare the data. It's free too.
 
It is accurate, but you should try other stat tools, too. I personally use 2 of them for each site.
 
Might want to check the numbers tomorrow. It is always very inaccurate for same day stats.
 
I have this little thing in the bottom right corner that would allow me to block google.analytics.com. I also had to allow it when I first installed it. It's called noscript. Im sure youve heard of it. If you dont allow analytics it wont be able to get your info properly.
 
maximus said:
Get a server side analytics package like Statcounter and compare the data. It's free too.
Click to expand...

Ive always found Statcounters 'Time on Site' stats to be ridiculously flawed. But that doesn't stop me from using them! Very simple interface and tells me exactly what i need to know.

I've heard 'Get Clicky' is the next best thing to GA.
 
GA is my favorite analytics package because of the actionable info that can be easily obtained. I ran it with Get Clicky for a couple years, and the data collected was similar. You might want to use two just to be confident that things are setup correctly, but GA is the best for making decisions.
 
I've had good success with google analytics, never done me wrong yet..

But recently I've switched to getclicky pro, I don't like giving google more information then they already have.
 
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