Google Analytics Invitation
![[ Google Analytics ]](https://perishablepress.com/wp/wp-content/images/2010/misc-chunks/google-analytics.png)
Earlier this year, we decided to implement the much-hyped, visitor-tracking and website optimization tool called Google Analytics. Google’s free data analytics service offers enterprise-level statistics capabilities and provides “high-end web analytics” and works with or without Google AdWords. Sounds great, however the service currently is available through invitation or “approved” signup. Skeptical that we would ever hear anything, we decided to submit a request anyway.
Getting started
Several months later, after having completely forgotten about signing up for GA (Google Analytics), we received our official GA invitation and immediately began the registration process. The invitation included a “secret code” and required us to create a free Google account, which enables access to a variety of Google services, such as “Analytics, AdWords, Google Groups and [a] personalized Google home page.” After verification of the account email, we were ready to register for GA.
GA registration involves entering your secret password some personal information. I hope they were not looking for any authentic personal data. After floating the password, you’re in the business. The final steps include dropping the following lines of JavaScript into any pages that need analyzing:
<script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
_uacct = "UA-xxx777-1";
urchinTracker();
</script>The JavaScript code should be placed near the end of the document source code, preferably just before the <body> tag. Once the script is in place and online, login to your GA account and activate the target page(s) via the “validate tracking” tool. Once this happens, Google Analytics begins tracking, analyzing, and reporting visitor activity at your website. Nice. There are now a plethora of high-end statistics tools and resources at your command.
Going further
After successfully setting up GA for Perishable Press, we immediately requested an invite for Monzilla Media. Apparently, it is only a matter of time.
Related articles
- WordPress Plugin: GA Google Analytics
- 3 Ways to Track Web Pages with Google Analytics
- Optimizing Google Analytics Performance
