Using Google Analytics network service provider

[Hughescov]

Hi

What are people's views on using the Technology > Network > Service provider part of Google Analytics as a way to find companies that have visited a website? Then potentially contact them companies etc?

Thanks

[Hughescov]

Thanks for your help Michael

[MickEdwards]

Initially it depends who the visitor is.  This data doesn't tell you that it's a worker or visitor just browsing from that IP and your site is pretty random.

If you analysed the data and found some strong trends it might be worth investigating further, but it might be a little bit 'big brother'.  On the other hand you might want to contact those companies on a different footing, not mentioning the stats but knowing there is some kind of interest there - unless a competitor!

[Hughescov]

Ah yeah, that's even better than what I had found. So I am wondering if there is gain to be made by contacting these companies or would it put people off?

[MickEdwards]

Ok, try secondary dimension - Visitors >> Network Domain

For example, you may draw some data from Service Provider 'single static ip addresses'.

[Hughescov]

I might be asking a stupid question then, but I'm sure for some companies they have their name displayed as opposed to just 'ip pools' or 'virgin media' etc, I have some such as councils, universities and large businesses.

[MickEdwards]

Unless I am missing something this data is the ISP that the user uses to connect to the internet. So the actual visitor could be anyone.