Google Analytics Tracking Code Queries
-
Hello,
I have taken on a new client who has Google Analytics installed. The tracking code is set to 'single domain'. Recently they added a mobile site using a sub-domain (m.website.com) which means that Google Analytics is not picking up this traffic.
I want to revise the account so that I have a master account (raw data) and then profiles for the mobile site, main domain (www.website.com) and one other for a sub-domain that they are using. I am aware that there is mobile specific tracking code however I thought it would be easier (re conversions/goals/eCommerce tracking) to not use this and by changing the account to 'multiple domains' we could also get data for another sub-domain that they are using .
My questions are:
- Am I right to want to use individual profiles over web properties. If not please explain why.
- When installing the tracking code (where the profile number is changing) I believe that I need to add that code with the changing profile number to the sub-domain sections. So my question is a) is that correct, and b) if I use a profile number on a sub-domain section will the master account still gather the data for the main URL as well as all sub-domains.
- If I change the master account from using 'single domain' tracking code to 'multiple domain' tracking code will this affect historical data? Will I lose the data?
- When changing from 'single domain' tracking to 'multiple domain' tracking does this affect eCommerce tracking? Or do we only need to be adding the additional lines of tracking code that allow sub-domains to be tracked?
- The web developers are using asynchronous code however half is in the and the other half is at the bottom of the source code. Given that traffic is being reported in the Google Analytics account should I have any concerns that the code is split?
I have done a lot of reading but seem to be going around in circles, so your help is much appreciated!
Thanks,
Dinny -
Very helpful, thanks Mike!
-
-
Yes. Use individual profiles. Not web properties.
-
I would suggest using just one profile #. As you said you want to have a raw data, the main site, and the mobile profile. It's easy enough to use the same UA number for all three, then filter into 3 separate profiles.
-
No. In fact, you're actually not making any changes on Google's end by making that switch in the admin. That's really just a tool that generates a different code for you. It's all front-end. As long as you implement properly, you shouldn't lose any data to your main profile. Any new profiles that you create will, of course, start from scratch.
-
Yes and no. I'll explain below.
-
This isn't ideal, but isn't overly concerning. First of all, there is ZERO benefit to splitting the code. The async code does not block other code from loading, meaning it will have no effect on page load speed. By moving the whole code up into the head, you're just ensuring that the best, most honest data is being captured. Still, splitting the code is a common practice that yields fine results.
So, as I mentioned in answer three, I think you first have to understand that it's not a 'switch' in GA's admin that makes the change from single to multiple-domain. The only thing that actually changes in the admin is the way the snippet is written. And I'll tell you that the only thing that will change is that the _setDomain line will be added. So if you properly add this new line into your GA code, you'll be set up to capture all data into your raw profile. From there you can create your two separate profiles using the same UA code, with a custom filter based on the hostname.
Mike
-
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
-
Google Analytics Question - Impressions & Queries Up, Sessions Down
I'm working with a client who, according to the Google Query report, impressions and sessions are up since we've started work with them about 6 months ago, but Google sessions are down. In moz, we're seeing a gradual, but steady increase in search visibility specifically with Google. Note: this is all organic. From when we started tracking queries, the first month we were tracking there were 43,581 impressions and 690 click throughs for the month. This past month there were 98,293 queries and 1015 clicks throughs for the month (granted not year over year data) - of these 1,015 clicks, 995 of them were from web. However, for those same time periods, sessions from Google are down over 30% - 1,750 vs. 1,189. I'm not sure how to interpret this. I realize that clicks and sessions are not a straightforward comparison, but I would think that if clicks were up according to the query report that sessions would also be up. Is it that some of these clicks are bouncing and therefore not being tracked as a session? Is there a potential issue with how data is being tracked?
Reporting & Analytics | | Corporate_Communications0 -
Can you track two Google Analytics Accounts on one site?
If you have a site that had an old analytics account and then implemented a new one is it possible to run tracking code that records to both accounts without causing your site or data issues? We are doing this so we don't loose data at any point - ideally it wouldn't have been split between the two but making one redundant isn't an option. Ideally we would have merged the data from both accounts and had one - however the research we have done points to this not being a possibility - unless one of you guys knows different? It would be great if anyone has experience on any this.. Thanks
Reporting & Analytics | | ChrisAllbones0 -
Universal Analytics Ecommerce Tracking in Magento
We have a problem similar to this: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22229312/universal-analytics-could-not-track-transaction-in-magento On a client's website. I need an absolute knock-out EXPERT at solving this to give us a quote on doing something like this. It's very urgent but it is paid. Basically the site used the old tracking code, worked, then client said they wanted new data so we upgraded to Universal. Now everything works but Ecommerce tracking. Desperately need help! Thanks all!
Reporting & Analytics | | MattAntonino0 -
Installing Google Analytics tracking code on Landing Pages
Hello, I have my landing pages located on a separated subdomain (LP.example.com). I've created a new property in Google Analytics for that subdomain. My question is: where do I have to place the GA tracking code ? in the header ? before I close the tag or before I close the tag ? I have another issue: I've placed the GA Tracking code on some pages in the way below:
Reporting & Analytics | | JonsonSwartz
in the body tag of that Landing page HTML Code I added this line:0 -
How to setup Google Analytic goals that go to different urls?
I would like to setup my form's conversion rate as a goal in my Google Analytics account. The goal is complete when someone enters their information and hits submit. Logically, the "Thank you page" would be the destination url for the goal. My problem is that the thank you page is outside of the primary domain, for example, my site is: SiteExampl.com but the Thank you URL is thankyouurl.com Is it possible to setup a goal like this? If so how. Thanks in advance!
Reporting & Analytics | | christinarule0 -
Google Analytics
How can you see the conversion rates for the referral traffic? For example I want to see if any of the facebook visits to my site resulted in a purchase.
Reporting & Analytics | | EcomLkwd0 -
Google Analytics Myth?
Dear Moz-members, I have read several discussions regarding not to implement Google analytics on your website. Reason: Google is tracking your website behavior, for example you have a high bounce rate it will affect your rankings negative. See it as we are opening the doors too much to Google so it can have a negative impact on your online business, especially when your site is new and you are still building your credit. Because of this i have not chosen to install GA. What is your experience with this? Most of the time if i read analytics posts at Seomoz, people do have GA installed. I am also in doubt whether to switch over at GA, but then again mine site is relative new and i am still working on the negative bounce rate/daily visitors. Would like to hear from you pro's whether this is a myth or not 🙂 Thanks!
Reporting & Analytics | | mcweb0