Google Analytics – Content
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This was honestly one of the last things I ever started looking at when it came to using Google Analytics but I quickly realized it was one of the most important for planning out your content.
Step 1: In the left hand navigation menu click on “Content” –> “Top Landing Pages”
Step 2: Make the date range a couple months of data.
Step 3: Now you will have a list of pages on your blog that are ranked by highest to lowest for traffic.
Step 4: Click on the link and look at the data that Analytics provides for where the traffic to that page is coming from and what keywords are being used to find it.
Purpose: There are a couple different things you want to look for here…
- What content is getting lots of activity? You can not always tell by the amount of comments that a blog post gets (although it is a fantastic indicator), sometimes the content does not really cause a reader to comment but it does cause them to share it with others. You want to highlight this content because obviously it is important to your readers and you will want to write more content on that topic. It is great to poll and ask your readers what they want but this is truly not the majority opinion because everyone does not participate… but using the Analytics data will tell you the true answers.
- Where is the Traffic Coming From? Do not assume that the traffic must be coming from the search engines… I often find very popular posts have recieved most of the traffic from sites like StumbleUpon. If this content was popular on Stumbleupon, then it is probably a good idea to create more similar content.
- What Keywords Are Being Used? Check out what keywords your page is being found with, check to see where you rank in Google for that keyword and if it can be improved… Just Do It!
So what are your thoughts on todays tip and do you have any to add?
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
John Cow dot ComGoogle Analytics – ContentPosted: 27 Jul 2008 08:05 AM CDT
I am thinking I am next going to get into creating effective presales material. 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 – ContentPart 6: Google Analytics – Tracking with JavaScript Events Part 7: Google Analytics – Creating Goals Click Here Now to Download “How to Build a Business Not Just a Blog” for FREE and Learn the Right Way to
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3) Podcast: Interview With Alborz Fallah – A Million Dollar Blogger, by Yaro Starak from Entrepreneurs-Journey.com. 4) Quit Wasting Your Time With Directories, by Bill from The Blog Entrepreneur. 5)Google Analytics – Content, by John Cow. Flimjo Love In his weekly overview, Alan Johnson from The Rating Blog linked to my post about why no one ever got rich alone. I’m up to # 242 on 45n5’s list of the Top 100 Make Money Online Blogs
[...] Part 2: Google Analytics – Incoming Links Part 3: Google Analytics – Outgoing Traffic Part 4: Google Analytics – Content Share and [...]
[...] Part 2: Google Analytics – Incoming Links Part 3: Google Analytics – Outgoing Traffic Part 4: Google Analytics – Content Share and [...]
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Good tip and although it seems simple, creating more content like the content that is popular already is a fantastic strategy. That is, as long as it stays within the personality of your blog.
Nathans last blog post..My Bucket List
This is great advise. My traffic problem is 78% enter my site through the home page or most recent post and 54% exit from the same page. It appears to me that my content is not engaging enough for
that visitors spend more time on those pages than any other. Which would indicate that the content is more important and I should include more. Thanks for letting me work this through! 
Donna Amoss last blog post..Blogging and Traffic
I agree,
Google offers quite a lot of interesting tools also via adwords.
Even the keyword analyzer gets near to performances of wordtracker.com.
Things is to be able to find out the main message behind all these data, which is ot always easy and straight forward.
Dan Brussels, Belgium
Thats one of my obssessive morning routines actually, never thought to really post about it, glad you did, Im sure many will find it rather helpful. Good as well too see this info so you can go back and monetize those pages or develope more content around those kW’s and content.
Great tip !!
shane at making money bloggings last blog post..Networking mentoring and making money money blogging
I agree, seems simple — but one of the most powerful strategies I use on all my blogs. Good traffic doesn’t mean you have to reinvent the wheel, do what works.
Maria Reyes-McDavis
I use analytics, but have to admit that I never thought of looking at top landing page info.
Thanks and keep up the good information. Deb
Glad to see you bring this up – I’d wondered about the effectiveness of it, and it’s nice to see the encouraging comments.
Richard
Where smart fortwos find a trailer to ride
Thanks again for another great post.
- Mel
Excellent post. Understanding and evaluating visitor trends and actions while on-site makes Google analytics is a major part of understanding your web site. Keep up the great info.
What I do is when I get sales, I run a date report by the dates of sales and see from where those visitors were referred. Sometimes there is a real clear picture of where the big conversions are coming from.
Thanks John,
JR
Great Tips.
It didn’t dawn upon me to check which pages are bringing in the most hits besides my main page.
Dominiques last blog post..I’m a Top Mama- Vote for me
Great post… It’s so important to maximize the conversion of the traffic rather than just focusing on maximizing the traffic to the site.
iearnwhileisleeps last blog post..Why 80% Good Beats 100% Perfect Every Time
This is a great series. It seems that analytics and tracking don’t get as much coverage as many other “sexier” aspects of marketing online…and for us more advanced guys, it’s a shame….because this is where you really grow your business. Please keep the tracking and testing type of information flowing as almost noone else focuses on this area. I would say it is the most underserved sub-niche in all of IM.
I just came across a disturbing blog post that advises not to use Google Analytics. Here it is
http://www.diorex.com/168-billion-reasons-to-stop-using-google-analytics/
Ian McAllister
great strategy! simply means leveraging on what really works and creating more similar content to those topics / posts which seems popular on your site.
ChiQ Montess last blog post..Page Rank Update July 2008
Hey Cow
I use a wordpress plugin called Kramer which tells me if my particular post is on StumbleUpon. Most of my traffic comes from SU.
Kramer will show me if it is coming from SU, Reddit and a heap of other social sites. It will leave a link as a trackback, for example (shameless plug time): http://www.dudeworldorder.com/2008/07/dark-knight-wallpapers/
Kramer can be found here: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/kramer/
Dude World Orders last blog post..Celebs Without Makeup
I have to be honest, thats the first time i have used the content side of analytics, silly me! Thanks John, great set of posts you have here, packed full of awesome useful info
The Dudes last blog post..Introducing… John Cow!
Woww.. it is a good tips again. John Cow is my favorite guru
Makes sense, I think it’s a great strategy and great use of the tools available.
JK Swopess last blog post..IMwithJoe.com weekly update and goals 7-28-08
[...] enter to WIN an LCD TV, Ipod Touch, Flip Mino and More!In the previous post I talked about “Google Analytics – Content” and how you can use the information to understand what are popular topics on your blog / [...]
I’ve used this strategy and I’ve had great results by building upon popular content like this. Great tip and worth using.
Duh Onlys last blog post..My Kid Could Paint That – Modern Art, The Media and Unanswered Questions
[...] 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 [...]
[...] 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 [...]
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[...] 1. Google Analytics – Content [...]
[...] 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 [...]
I agree,
Google offers quite a lot of interesting tools also via adwords.
Even the keyword analyzer gets near to performances of wordtracker.com.
Things is to be able to find out the main message behind all these data, which is ot always easy and straight forward.
Dan Brussels, Belgium