Goal tracking in Google Analytics
-
Hi folks
I read from various sources that if you setup goals in Google Analytics each of these goals can only be fulfilled once per visit. Also some sources suggesting that only one goal from each goal group can be fulfilled per visit.
On our site we have a goal for external links since this provides value to partners. Some users do open an external link in a new tab, then come back to the main site. Any further goal completions would then not get tracked. Since we apply a result based payment model for our work this means we are literally loosing money.
Anyone has official info from Google on this? Can it be configured? How long is a visit?
Thanks a million and have a great day.
Fredrik
-
We are actually using events as the basis for the goals. But we use the calcuations for conversions and conversion value as basis for many reports so its important that this value is correct. True, we can count the events, that is actually what we do now, manually in excel.
-
For something that repeats like that, I would instead use events, anyway. You'll be guaranteed that it's tracked.
Have you considered events? Would that work for you?
-
Hi Fredrik,
It seems I misinterpreted your original question, to be asking about completing multiple different goals per session. Now I understand your really interested about completing the same goal (External Link) multiple times per session.
Unfortunately i don't know of any articles/sources about this being possible.
-
Have you by any chance seen any articles or outher sources with info about it being possible?
There are quite a few articles stating the opposite. Like this one:
- Each conversion goal can only be triggered once per user session. It makes sense, since you don’t want one person to skew your conversion data by reaching a single goal multiple times in a visit. If you need to know the exact count, then use event tracking.
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/a-beginners-guide-to-conversion-goals-in-google-analytics/42558/
Thanks for the great input and giving us a chance of hope
Fredrik
-
Users only being able to fulfill one goal per visit is incorrect. Not only would it be unintuitive if Google set Goal Tracking up this way, it wouldn't be a very helpful feature if it did work this way.
A goal is triggered every time a goal URL is reached. A common case we see on our site would be a user fulfilling the "Signup" goal, and then proceeding to fulfill the "Contact Us", "Purchase", or "Review" goals. We track these goal URL's via the Google Analytics JavaScript API.
If this is a behavior you are seeing on your site, it could indicate that you have set something up improperly.
**Edit: Fredrik is asking about completing the same goal multiple times per session. This answer was assuming he was asking about completing different goals multiple times per session.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Referral issue in Google analytics
We have an eCommerce website that counts paypal as a referral source in Analytics. The site takes people to Paypal to make a payment and then back to the website to a Thank You page once that payment has been made. Due to this, Analytics sees this as a conversion that has come from Paypal, and also records it as a referral source, when we know this is not really the case. This also distorts the data in analytics and prohibits us from clearly seeing which channels sales have come from. Is there anyway in Analytics to include Paypal as a part of the website so that it does not record Paypal as a separate referral website?
Reporting & Analytics | | Gavo0 -
Identifying Bots in Google Analytics
Hi there, While you can now filter out bots and spiders in Google Analytics, I'm interested in how you identify a bots and spiders in the first place. For example, it used to be thought that Googlebot wouldn't appear in GA as it 'couldn't process Javascript' but now Google has announced new developments for its crawler with regards to interpreting javascript and CSS, this argument isn't as cut and dry. I'm not suggesting Googlebot appears in Google Analytics, but I am saying that you can't make the case that it won't appear only because it can't interpret JavaScript. So, I'm interested to see what metrics you use to identify a bot? For me, the mix of Users > Browser, Users > Operating System Version is still quite handy, but is it possible to identify individual bots and spiders within Google Analytics? And would Googlebot appear?
Reporting & Analytics | | ecommercebc0 -
No option to connect to google analytics!
I figured it out had to click on the pencil icon. On GA looks like this http://orlandocouponsfree.com - http://orlandocouponsfree.comUA-9313894-1orlandocouponsfree.combut url is http://www.orlandocouponsfree.com/Is this an issue? When I tried to connect to google analytics yesterday. There was a connection issue with Moz & GA. I refreshed page hoping it would help. Now it won't let me choose domain. When I view campaign it says I should connect properties. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/jkJ0ZdF.png[/IMG] I click link and get to this page which doesn't provide my an option. http://analytics.moz.com/settings/campaign/89561.117561 [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/jkJ0ZdF.png[/IMG]
Reporting & Analytics | | touristips0 -
Google Analytics Organic Keyword (Not Provided) Alternative Hacks?
I'm sure everyone is sick of the (Not Provided) keywords because I know I am, and Google reckons that you should only see 10% or less (I'm currently around 13% and growing). I am seeking alternatives or hacks that will help display the keywords? If you have a hack to actually display the keywords, please share it your ideas and thoughts? I recently implemented a hack that will show the landing page of the keywords which is better than nothing. But as an eCommerce site, I have about 10% of my transactions which not provided, knowing the keywords would really help. Would love to hear your thoughts?
Reporting & Analytics | | upick-1623911 -
Tracking analytics on several domains
Hello, I am looking for some advice. I am working with a real estate client. They have a main website, and then several separate agent websites. The agent sites share some content with the main site, as well as having some unique content. My question is what is the best way to track visitors? Should I have separate Google Analytics accounts for each site, or should I use one account and separate profiles?
Reporting & Analytics | | ukao0 -
Cover my tracks / two websites on the same Analytics
Hi, I've got 2 websites and I like one of them to make some links to the other one. These two sites are on the same Google Analytics account. They have been set up 3 month ago and they have some articles on them. I've heard that Google can see that those websites are related in my Analytics and use this information to give less power to the link I could make between them. What do think about it and what do you recommend me ? Shoud I closed the Analytics account ? Or down one of the website and rebuilt it whith a different domain / host / analytics ? The thing is if I delete one of the website i'll be force to republish the articles, because there are links on it, and they're part of a deal I've already made. Thank you
Reporting & Analytics | | Spleen0 -
How do I best segment tablets on Google Analytics
I would like to find a way to best segment out my tablet traffic to measure performance; however I'm finding that there are road blocks. It doesn't seem that device operating systems or screen resolutions have clear cut differences in the tablet/mobile versions. Has anyone here found a good way to create a "tablet" segment in Google Analytics? Right now I'm having to lean on solely the ipad traffic to get indicators of tablet performance. Thanks!
Reporting & Analytics | | lvstrickland0 -
How Can I Record .zip Traffic in Google Analytics
The company I am with shows traffic coming in to .zip files in Google Analytics. The traffic being recorded stopped a while back, but I know people are still downloading/visiting these .zip ULRs. I'm not sure how they were recording/tracking the .zip URLs (in Analytics) before, but I'd like to track them once again. Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks
Reporting & Analytics | | poolguy0