Proof of website traffic

[ClassyPete]

I was wondering what's the best tool for showing website traffic to a potential client?

I have a friend that has an insurance agency and he is hounded by sales people asking him to advertise on their websites... all of them quote him out of this world traffic statistcs. Is there anyway to prove it?

Screen shots of traffic can be fakes, and if you really want to go through the trouble you can fake a login and give access to fake stats.

Any advice?

[opifex]

I show stats only if asked, my other clients are my best advertising! Fake stats? We see them everyday!

[eljefe3]

Alexa rankings will give some indication of where those sites actually stand.

[cornwall]

Alexa rankings will give some indication of where those sites actually stand.

If you are going to use Alexa as "proof" of traffic, you want to research how you can "massage" their figures.

WHilst some people seem to believe Alexa results, then can easily be manipulated.

[ClassyPete]

I guess putting in your own counter on their site is the only way.

[skibum]

Just install the Alexa toolbar on your own machine and set your homepage to your site to bump up Alexa numbers. I don't think those mean to much till you get near the top. You could ask them to pull HitWise data if any of them have a subscription.

Are they looking for flat rates, CPC or CPM deals? Could do something small on performance or a short term CMP/CPC deal and see if it converts at all.

[Javier Mendez]

I think you have to sell the exact same way you buy..

As SEOs we need to test, testing is everything.

Provide a small test for them to see the quality of your site. If it is good they will buy and re-buy all the time.

J.