Setting up a tracking system that doesn't cost much

Don't have the funds that the bigboys do!

[Eric in Tennessee]

Okay masterminds, put on your thinking caps and let’s discuss this ever so important issue. Criticism is very welcome!

Background: My site is made of information about tech schools - programs, degrees, locations, etc. I have links to those schools for more info. I use PPC to drive traffic to my site as my site does not rank well enough to rely on SERPs. My site is hosted by a third party that provides info, but not the exact info that I WANT (I DO NOT have access to the raw logfile). They provide which search engines are used and the keywords, but not in correspondence with each other. They provide other info as well, but I want to focus on the keywords for now.

PPC: Overture & AdWords

Question: Is there a way to set up a server on location that will gather information that I can use to see which keyword(s) and KWD phrases are doing well and which I need to eliminate. The info that I would like to gather would be:
1. Where did the user come from? SE, link, etc.
2. What KWD they used, if from SE
3. What page they landed on
4. Where did they go from there; did they request more info?
5. What time of the day or night were they searching?
6. What browser are they using (not terribly important)
7. Well that is about all I can think of for now. Please feel free to offer any other data they you, the experts, feel is useful for analysis.

Sorry this is so long, but I am new and I am trying to learn quickly.
Thank you in advance,

EricTN

<I am so green that my feet get stuck to the dirt floor>

[martinibuster]

Uh, never mind.

[Stretch]

I realise this isn't exactly helpful but have you considered changing your host?

Access to logs is very important for me at least and most hosts can/will provide better stats than those you've mentioned.

Just a thought.

[Chris_D]

Eric,

You need a decent hosting company, who will provide you with the raw log files. Thats it.

Once you have the raw logfiles - you can analyse them.

If you are going to set up another server - why not just set it up to do the hosting?

You can put?=overture-ad1234 etc after your adwords or Overture ad clickthrough URL - but if you can't get the raw logs & analyse them & pull this out - why bother?

You really have 3 options:
1. Analyse logfiles, & use tracking tags on each adword campaign (eg Google adwords have a different referer data to Google algorithmic Serps) - but you need raw logs;
2. Use a 3rd party product - there are many options - eg doubleclick's click commands / 1x1s - you don't need raw logs - but need access to your pages to add their javascript, and to configure the clickthrough URLS; or-
3. I suspect all you will have to go on is your Adwords on line report - which tells you very little.

Sorry - but no data = no analysis
Best rgeards

Chris_D

[Eric in Tennessee]

Thanks everyone for the advice. AND Thanks a lot Martinibuster :)
I guess I will be looking for a new hosting service.
As far as hosting the site on my own server, my concern would be with security and continuous connectivity. I use a cable modem now and that should/could be on all the time. Would a cable connection be sufficient? I guess that would depend on the amount of traffic, right? How about processor speed? depends on traffic?

I am sorry to sound so lost, but I am just learning this stuff. I am seriously awed by the knowledge that some of you have. I hope that my journey into the know will be an exciting one.

Ciao,

EricTN

Thanks again.
P.S. If it is allowed, what is a good hosting service? I use directnic now.

[Stretch]

It's technically possible to host on a cable connection but I wouldn't recommend it. Things like having a dynamic IP address, being knowledgable about server security, what to do about your email and DNS hosting can make it a bit of a mine field for a beginner.

Also, if availability of your site is important I would definately go with a regular commercial hosting solution. Home PC's tend not to be as reliable as servers.

Don't know of any good hosts to recommend though - I'm in the UK and I co-locate my servers.

[martinibuster]

Would a cable connection be sufficient?

I'm in San Francisco and a standard dsl connection costs upward of $50/month. The problem with this is that the upstream bandwidth may be too slow for serving a web site, especially if you're receiving a lot of traffic: You'll experience serious bottlenecks.

You'll have to upgrade to a more expensive class of cable/dsl, at which point it might make $en$e to find a host who will take care of the server headaches for you.

If money is an issue, there are options as low as $5/month. My advice is to pick up a computer magazine and browse the ads near the back. I jumped around a couple times before finding something stable, but I have different needs and consequently use two web hosts to address those needs.

Sorry about my earlier post, my domestic duties were calling me away from the computer and I didn't have time to compose an adequate response.

[Eric in Tennessee]

I was just mess'en with you anyway. But hey, thanks for the advice.
Let me ask you this one question:
I am with directnic now and they charge $15 a year for bannerless hosting, but the stats are dismal. At this time I am not using that much bandwidth (I am allocated 2G). I started looking around on the internet to see what was available. There are so many to choose from, what is the most important thing to look for?

1. Download amount 1G would probably be good for now, but if needed more, and hopefully I will, I guess if you have the wrong host it could cost a bunch. What is a resonable upgrade of bandwidth? 5-10 month?

2. STATS gotta have them stats!

3. Stability - how do you monitor that? just random surfing to your site? software?

4. email (POP3) what is a reasonable amount of email addresses to expect in a 5 - 10 dollar a month host? or how about 10 - 20 dollars?

5. Anything else that I should look for?

Man! That is one BIG question - sorry about that. Don't feel like you need to take the time to answer it all, I know that time is precious. My house is clear right now for a few hours and I am enjoying the quiet.

Thanks again for the help,

EricTN

P.S. I grew up in Pleasanton and my family still lives in San Ramon. (East Bay)