New stats package required

questions on functionality and log vs page tagging

[HelenDev]

We're in the market for a new stats package as we were using LiveStats which is now coming to an end due to the takeover of Deepmetrix.

I realise that this subject has been discussed many times, and I found a post which looks particularly good here [webmasterworld.com...] - would it be correct to assume this is still reasonably relevant and not completely out of date?

Also, I know this question has probably been asked before but I still (after all these years!) don't know whether I should be looking for a page-tagging solution or a log analyser solution. I don't think a hosted solution is really practical for us because of the costs - does this mean that a page-tagging solution would be better, as it's more sophisticated?

I understand the differences between how they work, and that page-tagging solutions don't track bots, and can't easily track documents, but that's about it. Presumably a log analyser can still count and differentiate between visits and visitors and track paths through site, because we would need those functions.

We were reasonably happy with LiveStats but had a few gripes...

Can't view data back further than 1 year
Not easy to obtain visitor data for a single page, group of pages, or a subsite. Visitor information only seemed to be available for the whole site.
Not easy to track documents

Can anyone advise me on whether we need a log analyser or page tagger, or are there other questions to answer first? Can anyone suggest a package which definitely solves our LiveStats gripes?

[Receptional]

Hi Helen,

would it be correct to assume this is still reasonably relevant and not completely out of date?

I have a couple to add when I get the chance, but yes - it's reasonably up to date.

I can't recommend an individual package - nobody can on this forum as it would be in breach of the Terms of service. But the log vs tagging question investigated in some depth here [webmasterworld.com] if you haven't seen that post. For my part, I am a page tagging convert.

[HelenDev]

Thanks for the reply Receptional.

I can't recommend an individual package - nobody can on this forum as it would be in breach of the Terms of service

OK, that's understandable. Would people be able to sticky me instead if they have recommendations? As I said before, I'm particularly keen to find a package which avoids my LiveStats gripes.

I will go read the log vs tagging post...