The New Google Analytics Referral Site?

How Do You Like The Look?

Has anyone seen the Google Analytics Partners listings on the Google website lately? For most of you this probably does not mean a thing. For the folks that have worked so hard to become a GAAC (Google Analytics Authorized Consultant) you may be scratching your head? Will these changes affect the leads a qualified company receives? Let’s explore that question…

1) Link to Partners Website Gone

No longer do GAACs find your direct link to your homepage. Instead you will find a hyperlink “Link to vendor’s website”. When you click on the link, it is not actually a direct link to your site. In the code you can see that it redirects from Google to your website.

2) Global Map Gone

There used to be a map that would show you where all the authorized help was located. The map is no longer present on the site. I found this was a handy feature to visualize where most of the GAACs were. It was great for a quick visual reference.

3) Pull Down Menus Organized Alphabetically

The page loads a lot faster, presumably because the map does not load anymore. The one problem I see here is GAACs company names that start with the beginning of the alphabet will receive most of the exposure. It would be nice if the initial page that loads asks the visitor, “Choose country”. Then let the visitor choose the country OR view all. This would break down the long A-Z listing into smaller groups. One of the other problems was due to the growth in this program. If 2 GAACs were close in proximity the icons would sometimes overlap each other, making it hard to read the Vendors information. This upset a few authorized consultants I am sure.

http://galearning.com/google-analysis/clients-ask-google-analytics/

Weighing in On New Page Features

The new webpage loads much faster. For the users on slower connections that will be a big plus. You can also find partners a lot easier that have certain characteristics you are looking for. E.g. suppose you want a company with Google Optimizer, Urchin, and Google Analytics accreditations? No problem, just use the new pull down menu.

All-in all I find the biggest benefits to the users with slower connections. It will be much easier to filter and find local paid help for any user now.

Possible GAAC Issues

  • No link pointing to your website now, this had significant meaning when the link was direct. The link shows up in your analytics reports as a search engine referral using your domain name as a keyword.
  • Alphabetical listings are not too good for XXX, YYY, and ZZZ Consultants.

With these changes made it will give other companies working with Google Analytics a better chance of competing with GAACs.

I personally like these changes accept the linking back (a vote from Google is mighty powerful). For folks visiting this page looking for help your experience will be a lot nicer now, wherever you are!

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