Log Analysis vs. Outsourced (3rd Party)

log analysis vs. outsourced site stats

[bevan]

Anyone have a recommendation on using Internal Log Analysis tools/software vs. Outsourced (3rd party solutions) that require a snippet of code on every page but appear to have MUCH more detailed stats on paths, trends, and most importantly, conversions (ecommerce), ROI, etc? Am I not seeing the full potential by the cheaper Log Analysis tools? Is it possible to use a locally installed solution than isn't just a Log Analyzer and actually tracks users as they move around the site?

Outsourced I've looked at:
===========================
omniture.com (sitecatalyst, superstats)
websidestory.com (hitbox)
webtrends.com
keylimesoftware.com
coremetrics.com
indextools.com
hypertracker.com

Log Analysis Software
======================
webalizer.com
awstats.com
summary.net
wusage.com
analog.cx

Either I'm not getting deep enough into the usage of the Log Analysis software, or I shouldn't expect it to do what it can't.

Thanks in advance.

[jm_uk]

You'll need to look at the in-depth features of each tool/software solution to see what reporting it offers you and whether that meets your requirements.

There are in-house solutions you can buy that will offer you all of the features you mentioned.

The real issue here is about the data source you use for your analysis.

There is nothing to stop you deploying a page dot/bug on your own pages and analysing the log which that generates with a log analysis tool. That's all these outsourced vendors really provide anyway.

[bevan]

Thanks jm_uk,

When you refer to deploying a "page dot/bug" are you referring to the line of code that sends a cookie and helps track the visitor? Do I need a programmer to write that? Can you recommend software that I can install locally and produces that code?

Tracking conversions/ROI from our Ad campaigns is the most important thing right now (clicks/actions/transactions/dollars/etc. per campaign). All the other stats are gravy.

Thanks.

[Alternative Future]

Hi,

mycomputer is quite expensive but does all you require and more but as stated $$$$$

-gs

[aspdaddy]

IMO tracking requiremnents should be agreed before the site is designed.

For example, conversions can be as simple as countinng page views for a given referer if you have designed the 'thankyou for buying me' page with tracking in mind.

[bevan]

I'm hoping to be able to track revenue per campaign, average transaction amount per campaign, etc.

[kjs50]

You should be careful of using a third party service that puts an image on your site.

The pros are great stats, but the cons are:

1) if their image doens't load up it can stall the loading of your page

2) there was a huge stir about the privacy issues about a third party logging the traffic. it's died down since then, but it's still a concern and can lead to some bad press if someone complains.

I'd love to use a tool that you can place your own image to track the stats. if anyone has any good leads, that would be great.

[bevan]

As an update, this is what I'm down to:

Outsourced Top Companies
===========================
-Indextools.com ($49 per month for the top package + traffic overage) (for us the overage is about $150 per month)
*Incredible stats for it's price. (conversions in dollars, exit tracking, drill down reporting, trend analysis)

Log Analysis Software
======================
Nettracker.com ($500 flat fee)(1 site license)
*Seems to beat our all other Log Analysis software.(drill down, filters, custom reporting, conversions in quantity (43 sales from Google Adwords this month), clean interface and easy to read reports.
*No conversions in DOLLARS! Example: Google Adwords brought me $300 in sales this month with an average of $25 per transaction)

Isn't there anything that I can install locally and tie in with our shopping cart to give me actual conversions and ROI in dollars for my ad campaigns? Do I have to go outsourced?

Companies I've looked at (outsourced and software):
===================================================
omniture.com
hitbox.com
webtrends.com
keylimesoftware.com
Coremetrics.com
Deepmetrix.com
indextools.com
Netracker.com
hypertracker.com
webtrends
faststats.com
opentracker.net
webtraffiq
clicktracks
urchin
xav.com
awstats
webalizer
sitemeter
analog
clickstream
sawmill
livestats
hitslink
nettracker
123loganalyzer
traceworks
clcktracks
doubleclick dart
atlas from Avenue A
weblog expert

Some I didn't dive too deep in because they were either:
1. Too expensive
2. Too hard to find infomation for.

[kjs50]

Hello,

Did you have any more luck in finding a tool that you can install locally?

I was also thinking about this and thought about the value of writing a custom tool and duplicate the pixel image that is stored locally. then sift through the logs and come up with my own stats. Of course it would take a lot of development time, but the end result might be worth it.

I'm still worried about using a third party image on my page and would rather have it hosted locally. At my last company we did a trial of coremetrics and it went poorly.

We isolated the stats on test pages and their stats were incorrect. This was when they launched so hopefully it's been fixed but i would be wary and do your own testing and see how it adds up.

And their servers were down and therefore the image wouldn't load up, causing the whole page to malfunction.

[bevan]

I think we're going to go with Nettracker. It doesn't give me conversions in dollars, but it does everything else better than any other Log Analysis software I've looked at.

Don't think we want to use a third party yet. Otherwise, definately would have gone with Indextools.

[LogFan]

Nettracker seems to be a good choice; especially for the price. However, what is most important is to determine what actionable metrics you can get from the software. From a business/marketing point of view, you need to be able to handle more sophisticated metrics than the basic data obtained through those platforms. Of course, accuracy is important, but be aware that they all don't count everything the same way. I favor a rigorous analysis frame that establishes the measurement policies. Then, it is a matter of sticking to that frame, so that you always measure things the same way. You will be more interested in using the data to feed your metrics, and then follow their trends. Currently, I believe that the best thinkers now are Jim Sterne, Bryan Eisenberg, Jim Novo,and Hurol Inan. These guys are really trying to bring Web data analysis to the best marketing levels. That is why, although the debate about the best software is important (and fierce among vendors!), I believe that whatever you use, it is how you articulate your measurement activities whithin the strategic goals of your company that is more important. Again, Nettracker is fine...