GoToast Organic Tracking

Anyone using this service - thoughts?

[xbase234]

Wondering if anyone can offer feedback on the GoToast organic tracking feature. Are you tracking SE referrals to conversion, and if so:

- How many search engines and keywords do you monitor?
- Is the service effective?
- Do you prefer the javascript code, or the tracking pixel?
- Do you track all page views, or just entry page to conversion page?

Thanks in advance.

[Receptional]

I'd be interested to know these questions too - We don't use Gotoast but since nobody has answered this post, I'll try to answer it friom our perspective given that we don't use it:

- How many search engines and keywords do you monitor?
We track the whole referral string anyway, just in case we can't decipher it at the point of entry/sale so in theory all but we actually set up campaign tracking based on websites referring the most traffic, rather than search engines per-se.

-Is the service effective? - Can't say for Gotoast but as a concept, it sure is if you use the data properly.

-Do you prefer the javascript code, or the tracking pixel? Again - I do not speak for GoToast but we use a .js file.

- Do you track all page views, or just entry page to conversion page? We track it all, with the intention being to see where people fall out of the sales path by seeing their activity on a given page.

Dixon.

[eWhisper]

GoTost is a nice system if you don't want to develop anything inhouse or outsource an expensive account (i.e. Hitbox Enterprise will track everything mentioned above, but it can be an expensive solution).

I'm unaware of a comercial solution (or monthly subscription solution like GT) under $1k/year that will track everything Receptional listed. (If there is one, please sticky me).

What I'd like is to be able to flat out buy a java based program and install on our own servers (http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum39/2180.htm - still waiting for an answer to that one...)

GTs biggest problem is that it doesn't track page views. You can't determine where in the cycle you lost your sale to futher optimize a page. You need a different type of tracking solution for this. They have been adding some new features recently, so it might be in the works (or I missed them adding it).

GT is a nice addition to some cheaper tracking solutions that will track all of that info, for instance, I know of companies who use a combination of HitBox Professional to determine path analysis, and then GT to only track conversion/KW/PPC to find the right bids, etc.

If you're just getting started with PPC and tracking, it does give you a lot of tools for not a lot of money. Often by working with something, you can determine what else you'd like and don't have - that it does well.

I prefer java for tracking most things, however, for GT, either one works pretty equally. The biggest problem with java is that we've found that you have to be careful implementing it if you also use another java tracking program. Sometimes there is a conflict error and one or the other needs to be ajusted.

If you're unsure which way togo, using GT while you investigate other possibilities and learn the PPC system, is a worthwhile investment IMO.

[kris]

We just decided to leave GoToast because they will no longer capture the PPC bid price unless you opt in for their bid manager (which is pretty expensive). We were using the ProfitBuilder and were very happy with it until they took this peice of data away. It is pretty much useless unless you can track the CPC for your keywords.

[shorebreak]

Tell me whether or not you think it's off-topic or off-guidelines, but there was a good Shop.org newsletter wherein a guy at eBags.com talked about their use of Omniture for conversion tracking, including for a very sizable paid & organic search effort:

.shop.org/newsletter/GreatMinds/2004/04.15.04GreatMinds.htm

I have no affiliation with Omniture whatsoever, but I do consistently hear from their customers that they're a great conversion tracking solution, whereas GoToast is primarily tracking for the purpose of bid optimization. If you want to track natural/organic search (among other things) then my experience says that Omniture is one of, if not the, best solution out there.