Title: Better%20Living%20Through%20Web%20Metrics
1Better Living Through Web Metrics
- Kathy Farrell, Empire State College
- Melissa Meehan, Buffalo State College
- Ned Stankus, Hamilton College
- Maryann Stopha, SUNY Geneseo
2Overview
- Introduction
- What ARE web metrics?
- Why Use Them?
- Server Logs
- Other Data Sources
- Wrap-up
3What ARE Web Metrics?
- Metric
- A measurement of a characteristic of an object
or activity. The measurement is done using a
consistent method, at consistent intervals, in
order to assess, monitor and/or communicate
information about the object or activity. Metrics
may be quantitative or qualitative.
4What ARE Web Metrics?
- Web Metrics
- Metrics used to assess and monitor activity on a
web site, usually to study how well the site
meets its objectives. Sometimes also called "web
analytics," although some writers make
distinctions between metrics and analytics.
5Why Use Web Metrics?
- Monitor activity on the site
- Improve understanding of user behavior
- Identify and prioritize apparent problems
- Improve the sites usability
- Help us test whether what we believe about the
web site is real - Make decisions about the site based on data
rather than beliefs
6Server Logs The Basics
- What is a server log?
- Why bother analyzing the server log?
- Common analysis tools
7Server Logs A Sample Entry
- 64.12.102.33 www.esc.edu - 16/dec/2003000409
-0500 "get /esconline/online2.nsf/eschome?openfor
m http/1.1" 200 21691 "http//www.google.com/searc
h?hlenieiso-8859-1qempirestatecollege"
"mozilla/4.0 (compatible msie 5.0 aol 8.0
windows 98 digext)" 203 "" "e/lotus/domino/data/
esconline/online2.nsf"
8Server Logs Fields in the Sample Entry
- remotehost 64.12.102.33
- rfc931 www.esc.edu
- authuser -
- date 16/dec/2003000409 -0500
- request "get /esconline/online2.nsf/eschome?ope
nform - http/1.1"
- status 200
- bytes 21691
9Server Logs Fields in the Sample Entry
- referrer "http//www.google.com/search?hlen
- ieiso-8859-1qempirestatecollege"
- user-agent "mozilla/4.0 (compatible msie 5.0
aol 8.0 - windows 98 digext)"
- processing time 203
- cookies ""
- translated URL "e/lotus/domino/data/esconline/on
line2.nsf"
10Server Logs Common Analysis Tools
- Basic results What the logs can tell you, and
how you can use the informationWebtrends example - Deceptive results What the logs seem to tell
you, but really dont
11Server Logs Beyond the Basics
- Configuring your analysis softwareignoring
specific IP addresses - Extracting specific types of entries from the log
- Homemade tools
- Examples
- Click-through
- Comparing two navigation schemes
- Search Queries (both successful and unsuccessful)
12Log entry for a search query
- 129.44.6.222 www.esc.edu - 01/sep/2004082841
-0400 "get /esconline/onlinesi.nsf/index/?searchv
iewquerybookstoresearchorder1searchwvtruese
archfuzzyfalse http/1.1" 200 38072 ""
"mozilla/4.0 (compatible msie 6.0 windows nt
5.0 .net clr 1.0.3705 .net clr 1.1.4322)" 640
"siteserverid7b9439c604c5ac4216387fe752447485"
"e/lotus/domino/data/esconline/onlinesi.nsf"
13Top 10 No-hit search terms
July 04 July 04 August 04 August 04 September 04 September 04
10 business, management and economics 14 accredidation 18 snl
9 accredidation 12 dpp 12 http and //sln.suny.edu/commons
9 business, management economics 9 finacial and aid 12 onlinecourses
9 fasfa 9 www.coursespace.suny.edu 10 accredidation
8 finacial aid 8 calender 8 athletics
7 business OR and management 8 life credits 8 finacial and aid
6 dpp 7 alfred adler 7 http//sln.suny.edu/commons
6 myrecords 6 aust 6 clepsydra
6 register for coourse 6 sat and scores 6 psycology
5 bps 5 basket 6 snl and commons
14Server Logs Limitations
- Common problems with the data
- Case-sensitivity
- Others
- Problems with the analysis software
- Tips for coping with problems
15Break for Discussion!
16Other Data Sources
- Surveys
- Webmaster E-mail
- Usability Studies
- Focus Groups
- Help Desk Calls
17Other Data Sources
- Reasons to use them
- Examples
- Tips for developing them
- Limitations of these sources
18Other Data Sources Geneseo
- Surveys
- Geneseo Web Usability Survey
- Webmaster E-mail
- Help Desk Calls
19Other Data Sources Buffalo State
- Buffalo States Metrics Toolbox
- Usability Studies
- Focus Groups
20Break for Discussion!
21Wrap-up and Future Plans