Google Analytics - Outgoing Traffic
Written by John Cow on July 25th, 2008
Want to Learn How to Build a Business Not Just a Blog.. for FREE? CLICK HERE Now to Find Out How!
This is continued from the previous post Google Analytics Incoming Links
Getting lots of traffic is great but if no one is going where you want them to, well then there is a problem. Google Analytics helps you get a clear picture of not only where the traffic is coming from but also what it is doing once it gets there. Below is a very brief walk through of one way you can use this data provide.
Step 1: In the left hand navigation menu, click on “Content” and then “Top Exit Pages”

Step 2: You will now have a list of pages from your blog that are the top pages that people are leaving your site according to Analytics. Click on the top link.
Step 3: You want to look at “Time on Page” and if the page has a very low time on page.
Purpose: This is very powerful information because if you are finding that there is one page in particular that is getting lots of traffic but is also losing lots of traffic, then you know you may need to focus on that page.
You will want to look at the time spent on that page and if the average time on your top exit page is 20 seconds or less, then it is safe to assume that people are landing on that page and leaving right away. Now you will also have to understand the type of page it is. If your top exit page is an opt in “thank-you for opting in please confirm your subscription” page, then that is a good thing but if it is your main sales page… well then that is not so good.
STOP –>The time frames I gave are NOT hard fast rules. Alot depends on the length of your content and all that good stuff. If you want to see how long the average person should be on a certain page (say a pre sales page), then time yourself. Time how long it takes you to quickly read over the content and then click the link to buy… then that should become your goal for that page.
IMPORTANT –>You want to look at each page listed and look at the type of page they are and focus on ways of improving these pages.
TIP –> Do not just ignore pages like a ‘Thank-You’ page as a top exit page. This is very valuable real estate and if the ‘thankyou’ page only says “Thanks for Opting In” and does not provide other instructions, then there is roon for improvement. This is a great time to offer a recommended resource or an upsell.
So did any lights come on from this post?
Part 1: Google Analytics - Installing
Part 2: Google Analytics - Keywords
Part 3: Google Analytics - Incoming Links
Part 4: Google Analytics - Outgoing Traffic
Part 5: Google Analytics - Content
Part 6: Google Analytics - Tracking with JavaScript Events
Part 7: Google Analytics - Creating Goals
Part 2: Google Analytics - Keywords
Part 3: Google Analytics - Incoming Links
Part 4: Google Analytics - Outgoing Traffic
Part 5: Google Analytics - Content
Part 6: Google Analytics - Tracking with JavaScript Events
Part 7: Google Analytics - Creating Goals
Did You Download Your FREE Copy of "How to Build a Business NOT Just a Blog" Yet? Click Here Now to Get Your Copy!
26 Comments »
Trackback responses to this post
- Google Analytics - Incoming Links | John Cow dot Com
- The Blue Planet
- Helping make money online
- Google Analytics - Keywords and Covering the Basics | John Cow dot Com
- Google Analytics - Content | John Cow dot Com
- Google Analytics - Advanced Tracking with JavaScript Events | John Cow dot Com
- Google Analytics & Social Marketing Go Hand in Hand | John Cow dot Com
- Google Analytics - Creating Goals | John Cow dot Com
- Best Posts From The Week of July 20, 2008
- Step-by-Step Internet Marketing and Affiliate Marketing guides | JR's Internet Marketing Strategies
- Butterfly Media Romania Blog - Marketing, SEO and WordPress


All New CommentMILK Version 1.0










This info is awesome, and couldn’t have come at a better time.
I feel like I now know a good amount about blogging and building sites in general, but I just started getting serious about SEO, tools, and statistics.
Yea a big light came on when you said to offer something on your thank you page.
As always a great post…
You also want to look at the bounce rate as well. This will determine if they’re leaving from the main page without going to any other linked pages on your site.
All in all, good post Johnny!
Thanks for contributing
Awesome info guys
Thanks!
The Dudes last blog post..Introducing… John Cow!
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been using Google Analytics for a while now and I think it’s an awesome tool. Your tips are priceless to any marketer wise enough to listen.
Regards,
Mel Slabaugh
Get The Greatest PPC Secrets Exposed Straight From The Expert Who Spend Over $1.5 Million On AdWords Last Year.
Thanks for the great advice!
Great point about time spent on page. You should ask someone to read a page, and time them, as you might just go for bullet points when reading yourself and think a shorter time is ok.
Well done…thanks for the post on Google Analytics, I’ve been using them for a while…pretty happy.
Evans last blog post..Google Adwords Pay-Per-Click Webinar Tutorial for Adwords Advertisers
exactly.. thanks for outlining how google analytics can really be a useful tool for bloggers.. i should channel my focus on the top exit pages and work on them.
Great piece of information that should be common knowledge but really isn’t to most people. Simple and useful for anyone to understand.
Yeah,you are right. you can do many things base to your statistic. The information is really useful but it’s hard to analyze it. When i first use Google analytic, i can’t implement it in to my blog. I only learned how to use it after few weeks. It’s good for you to stated out how to analyze the information for someone that don’t understand. Great job.
I hadn’t thought to look at the exit page. I have focused on the top landing pages as well as the top content pages. My top exit page was no surprise to me though but I was pleased to see that time on the page is 25% longer than the average time on all pages. Since the top exit page is the final page I would expect most people to use I just need to work on increasing contacts from it. Which is what I am currently working on. Thanks making it all gel in my mind.
Albuquerque Real Estate Agents last blog post..Fairgounds Area Market Statistics June 2008
Yes you are right. I have got the same problem and i think now i can do i better. I think this is a great website and thanks for advice
Patis last blog post..Barack Obama war da
Well here is one I missed, going to check it right now!
Thanks John,
JR
6 Step Checklist for On-Site SEOs last blog post..Time for Another Google Page Rank Update
great tip, how can i know where the users clicks on my page?
Regards
Check out todays post, i talk about this…
http://www.johncow.com/google-analytics-advanced-tracking-with-javascript-events/