Google Analytics - How to Get Most Out of Google Analytics

This Post is a Question

[dchase]

Hi, I am looking to get the most out of my Google Analytics. Can anybody refer me to a guide, or some general tips on how to get the most out of it. I understand the general stuff: unique visitors, referrals, etc but I'm baffled by how to set up the service so that I get conversion percentages.

I also want to know some tips people use to get the most out of their tracking with google analytics. What are some important metrics I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance

[chewy]

Best to start with some questions mebee...

What kind of site do you have? Do you track conversions?

What are your objectives? Sales, education, free downloads, etc?

Are you using PPC? Do you think you are getting good value?

[dchase]

My site is ranked very well in google for many keywords.
My site does use PPC (I track conversions via ppc)
My sites goal is to create qualified leads (people who are interested in my services fill out form)

Right now I use Google Analytics to track and it does a fine job. I just feel like I can get more out of the tool if I was educated on the subject.

[chewy]

do you have simple goal tracking set up?

if so, you'd be able to see for every visitors who fill out the form, (and got a thank you page) what terms and sources they used.

I find this to be the most valuable part of Google Analytics.

Plenty of other stuff too - but this is the big cahoona! If you don't have this, you haven't got it set up right.

Second down on the list is looking at page visit times or total page views on a per keyphrase basis. If you are paying a few bucks for a PPC phrase but it is only getting you 1 page view or just a few seconds, then either kill the word or improve the page. Alternately if the PPC phrase gets you good PV, but organic isn't, it raises the question "why" and may show an opportunity for improvement.

Can you see "segments" starting to emerge from the data? This was an eye opener for me.

Anyone else? I only do a few sites and get a total of 40 - 60 K visitors per month across those few - I suspect others with heavier traffic might have a few tips?