Webtrends or SiteCensus?

[Incredibles]

Hi ..

We are currently using webtrends 3.0. And we are also looking to upgrade WebTrends 7.0.

My boss find that the way how SiteCensus reports on the counts is rather good. But they are using cookies where Webtrends is using logs, which is more accurate? And in terms of the report, which one is better?

[JAB Creations]

AWSTATS...

[awstats.sourceforge.net...]

[cgrantski]

Get a demo of each with a live person to talk to if you can. Sounds like you have some big misconceptions already so you need a close long look at the products before making a decision. The two you mention are very different in terms of what data they offer. Don't make decisions on how it looks or seems. Most of all I would really, really stress working on what you want to get out of the stats, because you may be able to settle for something a lot simpler and cheaper like AWSTATS.

[JAB Creations]

There is no point to paying for statistics...

Using cookies for statistics is a big mistake...

You should be using a statistics script that looks at your log and gives you a visual understanding like AW.

It takes a little configuration but it's well worth it and FREE. Just be sure to use 6.4 or newer (as 6.3 has a huge security hole). Keep your stats private to and you won't have to worry about anything anyway.

[cgrantski]

I disagree. That's a huge oversimplification. It also suggests, I have to say, a lack of experience with more sophisticated stats solutions. AWSTATS is fine for what it does, but it's very basic.

[JAB Creations]

There was only one feature that was to any extent semi-useful that awstats does not currently have.

Talk about slapping people in the face who are trying to help you.

[ayb1]

If Awstats is very basic for statistics, then what is the most detailed web or Mac-based web log analysis package out there? Free is good, but we're willing to pay a few hundred bucks if we can get value out of it.

I'm looking for really good data, like what screen size they've got, browser, javascript enabled, referrals, what they were reading when they clicked on an Adsense link, and where the link took them, how much they last spent at Wal-Mart, that kind of stuff.. :)

Very many thanks for your help.

[JAB Creations]

Awstats does that all. If you're willing to pay a few hundred dollars a month then why not just pay a developer a few months in place to tailor a script such as awstats to fit your needs?

[ayb1]

No, no, sorry.. I meant we would pay $200, if necessary, to get a Mac-based program that can analyze logs.

I've started working on the AWstats install and I am having a really hard time. I am using 1-and-1 web hosting and can't seem to get it configured.

[JAB Creations]

It is a pain in the ass to setup (the first time).

Give your host a call and they should be able to help you out.

Some tips...

- Go over the install instructions.

- Make sure you CHMOD the perl script to 755.

- Edit the configuration file.

The permissions (CHMOD 755) is very important or else the script won't run. Once you do that the script will be able to tell you problems from that point on if you have any.