can webtrends easily track progess?

looking to easily show SE improvements over time

[Craig_F]

I used webtrends years ago, and was thinking of using it again, but I need to know if I can easily show the relation of stats from one month to the next without having to create my own charts by hand from month to month.

For example, a chart showing unique visitors from month to month, or top paths, or keywords used, etc.

I imagine it must, but anyone know for sure?

[Travoli]

I have to create the charts I need by hand. I find it to be somewhat inflexible.

[Craig_F]

That's what I thought...I don't want to do it by hand...

Anyway, does anyone know if it shows keyword referral % by engine? I think the online version does, but can remember if the standard version does.

[Hannu]

Actually, WebTrends can make reports showing the trend from month to month.

When you run the reports you have to set the report range to eg. "Last fiscal year" or "Current Fiscal year".

A very interesting graph/table to check is top search engines and phrases...

Remember to tick both the graph and the table to get the trend.

H.

[Craig_F]

Interesting. If my logs can be a new file monthly, or one big yearly file, which is easier to use with webtrends?

it seems you'd have to use the big yearly to show trends...right?

[bruhaha]

If my logs can be a new file monthly, or one big yearly file, which is easier to use with webtrends?

I'd recommend sticking with monthly logs. They're easier to work with for most purposes (especially if you like to download copies of the logs every day to work with locally!)

If you also want to run trend reports, you can process all the files together by using wildcards for the logname in your profile.

[Hannu]

you can process all the files together by using wildcards

Actually you can also use date macros when selecting logfiles - in WebTrends use "extended browse".