Backup tool for Google analytics

Google Analytics can stop working without a problem. Need a backup tool

[moopy]

Hello there,

I've been tracking website traffic and goals for clients with Google Analytics for a few years now.

Unfortunately, it is pretty common that at one point or another Analytics stops providing trust worthy data.

This can happen if the Analytics code is removed or changed, if there's a tiny JS error, if Google servers are down, if new pages pop without the GA code, etc.

I need to provide my clients with another tool which will serve as a backup to Google Analytics when this unfortunate incidents happen.

I can settle for a small pixel that tracks goal conversions, and I will more happily have a full solution that serves as a backup to all data tracking.

I would appreciate any help from you experienced people.

Thanks a lot!

Moopy

[AnkitMaheshwari]

You can use any software available in the market that can help in analyzing server logs.

[moopy]

Thanks... But there are too many to choose from. I was hoping for an insight from a happy user or two...

[moopy]

Hmm... Nobody uses anything but Google Analytics?...

[moopy]

Well, apparently!

[Planet13]

Are we allowed to mention software in this forum?

there is www.statcounter.com and there is also piwik.com

some hosts will have urchin set up for their accounts - I have NO IDEA what it costs but they MIGHT provide it as an optional service you can add to your hosting.

[moopy]

Alright, a good answer, thanks Planet13!

[Planet13]

...if new pages pop without the GA code, etc.

If they forget to put the JS on the page, then I think the only solution would be something that reads server logs.

[still]

As mentioned above, there is Urchin for local storage. You can set up your tracker to send data to GA and Urchin at the same time. I believe there is a free 30day trial available. License is around $9k.

[tshnc01]

You might want to check out Spring Metrics (www.springmetrics.com). They provide a point-and-click alternative to GA (and have a free starter version). The product is focused on helping you better understand which traffic is yielding conversions.

Disclosure - I am not an employee of Spring Metrics but have been providing them with some advice.

[Planet13]

One other thing I forgot to mention...

I installed statcounter on two of my sites. Worked great in firefox, but Internet Explorere users got the annoying "This page contains both secure and unsecure items..." dialogue box when they went to check out.

Seems the javascript is on a non-secure server, so I had to make a conditional so it wouldn't call it when on a secure page.

[moopy]

Thank you tshnc01 for the recommendation. Does this work with JS and cookies also?

[tshnc01]

Moopy,

Yes definitely JS and I think cookies as well.

...Tim