Free Log Analysis Website Stats Software and Google Analytics – Why they may not be free.

A couple of days ago, I wrote a post on using Google Analytics to track all of my websites. Even though GA is top shelf and is packed with features, I have no plans of using it.

My primary concern was even though I don't engage in black hat tactics, I still don't want to give Google a list of all the sites I own. Who is to say Google isn't going to use that info to determine the appropriateness of my cross linking. What I consider appropriate may not pass scrutiny by some Google Algorithm. I see no reason to take that chance.

I was searching for an affordable analytics software when I stumbled upon Fusestats. I've been running a trial on a few of my sites, when I found a post by Aaron Wall that made me reconsider.

I read Aaron Walls SEO Book every week. I was surprised to see that we both were writing about Stats Software yesterday. Could it be that great minds think alike? Probably not! I don't pretend to be in the same class as Aaron. I'm still playing tee ball and Aaron is the MLB Home Run King.

Aaron came up with more reasons to reconsider using Google Analytics as well as other "Free" Website Stats software. I'd recommend reading Aaron's post titled Mint: Keep Your Analytics / Website Traffic Stats Private for Only $30. If you're not a daily reader of the SEO Book, you should be.

Aaron is recommending an analytics software called Mint. I've taken a look at the interface, and really like what I see. But I probably won't be using it for two reasons.

1. At $30 a pop, it can get expensive to install the software on all 42 of my domains.

2. Every domain would have it's own interface and log in. I'm looking for something I can install on a single domain and track all of my sites from the same interface.

I'll provide an update on my Fusestats trial in a few days. So far, it hasn't turned out as well as I hoped.

Good Luck,

Brent Crouch

Posted by: Brent Crouch on 23 Aug, 2007No Comments »