Examining Google Analytics Third Party Tools

I had a little time on my hands today and wanted to learn more about Google Analytics tools that are offered by third parties. The primary questions I am looking for answers on are the following:

  • How can the tools benefit users?
  • Are they worth spending hard earned money on?

My rating system is simple. I will rate each tool with a “Yeah” or “Nah”

At a quick glance it looks like epikone.com is a prominent leader in Seminars and tools for Google Analytics. If I follow some of the websites linked to epikone I can see they are diversified. One of their sites is http://www.analyticsview.com/ which offers third party enhancements to the Google Analytics Interface. Here is the graphic on their site.

Image captured from epikone website

Image captured from website

Focus on the Right Metrics Focus on the Right Metrics

Built in report templates help you identify what aspects of your site to focus on.

This is a great idea for lazy people that don’t have a clue about Analytics. KPI (Key Performance Indicator) focus is a principle that you should have in your mind when looking at your stats. In Google Analytics you can even create your own executive dashboard containing all the key metrics you want to look at. Creating your own profiles and dashboards is provided with the Google Analytics Interface free of charge. Simply drag and drop your dashboard components of choice into place.

Rating- Nah

Create Custom Reports Create Custom Reports

Customize your reports with 85+ custom metrics using our drag-and-drop interface.

I have not seen this feature working but I am thinking about the current interface. For most of the people I talk to, the “enterprise class” interface is already a lump to swallow. Once you get your head around it the first thing you will want to do is add another 85+ custom metrics? I see this feature being used by power users only and even then power users know there way around key metrics.

Rating- Nah

Identify Inaccurate DataIdentify Inaccurate Data

Quickly identify errors in your Google Analytics implementation with GA Alerts.

There are many tools you can use to solve problems with your installation and not one of them is a magic bullet. You can use site scan, GPablo, Firebug, httpheaders and none of them will give you 100% piece of mind. Insuring your installation is correct is a blend of experience along with use of proper diagnostic tools.

Rating- Nah

Share + Schedule Reports Share + Schedule Reports

Set reports to be emailed to you or your clients at custom intervals.

In Google Analytics you can send email scheduled reports. Additionally, you can leave custom notes to the recipient in your report. The recipient will receive a nice PDF file with your note attached. This tool sounds a little redundant.

Rating- Nah

Access Analytics ToolsAccess Analytics Tools

Including SiteScan Premium, GA Notes, Ask An Expert Premium + more!

First, there is no site scan utility that will flawlessly scan a site and guarantee tracking code placement. It is simply impossible but the scan utility can help you. “GA notes” is a plugin available for free from Epikone. It is very handy indeed. Using GA notes helps you keep track of changes you make, can be used as prompts for client reporting and is one of my personal favorites out of all GA plugins. These tools are all available for free.

Rating- Nah

Access Analytics ToolsWhite-Label Your Reports

Upload your logo to your reports to deliver branded reports to colleagues + clients.

This one I like. If you are a company that analyzes websites as your core offering this feature is great for branding your company image.

Rating- Yeah (if you want to brand your name)

Conclusion

Over-all I like the effort taken to make the users experience better. I am not sure how these tools will help though. I have had the pleasure of listening to Google Analytics Engineers talk about development; they really are a smart bunch. This program is constantly evolving and is important in your ability to improve your website at no cost to you other then time. To use Google Analytics effectively, the standard interface with custom filters (for your campaigns), goals set, and accurate tracking code integration is all that is needed to begin with.

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