Update to Adwords Cost Data Import
If you’ve read my previous post about the GAIQ exam tips, you’ll notice in the section called Adwords Information, I talked about how the initial update by Google on how their cost data import update affected traffic reports in Google Analytics and how we’ve been debating in the GAAC forums about accounts that don’t have cost data import enabled treat Adwords traffic as direct instead of cpc. This will affect the traffic reports by over inflating direct traffic and slowly diminishes cpc traffic.
This really isn’t good as it doesn’t give you an accurate representation on how your online marketing activities are performing. With high direct traffic, you’d probably think, “Holy cow! My website brand really rocks and I don’t have to spend much money on online advertising anymore. Thus, you decide to cut down your Adwords spend or other forms of online advertising.”
One way to overcome that was to manually utm tag your destination URLs which would’ve been a big pain in the butt if you’ve got a large Adwords account with many campaigns and adgroups.
So finally Google made a post about a week ago about another update to the adwords cost data reporting that reverts back to how Google Analytics originally reported traffic from Adwords.
Now if you’ve got your Google Analytics account linked to Adwords, have auto tagging enabled but don’t have Adwords cost data applied, your Adwords traffic will now show as google/cpc, as it was originally.
What you should expect is a drop in direct traffic and a gradual increase in cpc traffic in your traffic reports.
Google Geek Night
Hey guys, sorry I haven’t been updating this blog. Been a busy little bee! Thought I’d do a quick update and share with you guys my trip to Google‘s office tonight for an event called ‘Google Geek Night’.
It’s basically a short meeting between Google and their agency partners to give a presentation on the online search demand and insights into user search behaviour, more specifically focused towards online shopping. Oh yeah, after that it’s all about drinks, cannapés and socialising. I was happy that they served Becks beer, one of my favourite beers and didn’t go cheap with local beers.
Each of us also got a Google pack which consists of a Google cap and some Google ‘goo’. Yes, really it’s goo. I’m too lazy to take photos so you’ll just have to use your imagination :)
Above is the First Rate team after a few drinks and posing with our Google pack. Produce placement there, hehe.
We also got a tour around the Google office but unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to take photos. It’s their brand spanking new office located at Pyrmont, just opposite Starcity Casino. As expected, they had pretty cool decorations all around the office and a beautiful view overlooking the harbour.
Goal & Funnel Setup Guide in Google Analytics
Working in a Google Analytics Authorised Consultants (GAAC) accredited company and also having a Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ), it is essential that I master the art of setting up goals and funnels in Google Analytics for our clients.
A goal can be a very important metric for a client to track such as sales, newsletter sign-ups, and registrations. Of course goals are not just limited to those but can be extended to whatever you would define as an important action on the website to track. Not only is tracking important, but it is also vital that you gain insight into what’s going on in the goal process from funnels.
A funnel is a visual representation of what’s happening during each step of your goal. It gives you great insights into the drop off rates of each step so that you can make informed decisions on improving your goal process and landing pages to increase conversion rates. You can accurately pinpoint which step of the goal process are you getting high drop off rates.
This can help you identify problems such as the checkout button not working, too many call to actions that lead to other goals, not best practice usability and so on.
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My 1999 Honda Civic EM1 Vti-R
Sorry guys haven’t been updating my blog recently. Been busy with my car pretty much hehe.
Just spent $230 yesterday at Supercheap Auto buying floor mats, car cover, turtle wax shampoo, lamb wool mittens, microfiber polishing cloth, meguire’s clay bar, meguire’s quick detailer and meguire’s wax. So yeah, I’m quite broke now! I’ve still yet to transfer the registration and pay the stamp duty! :(
So yeah, been pretty engrossed in it. Have washed and vacuumed my car yesterday and spent some time washing under the hood and applying some tyre shine to my tyres. Will need to find some time doing the clay bar thingy and waxing it. Is gonna be slick looking!
But yeah, some pictures below :)
The Hunt Is Over!
Finally I’ve found a car to buy! Drove all the way to Gosford today with a couple of mates to inspect a green ’99 Honda Civic EM1.
It’s green in colour with gold pearls and has a black bonnet. Good paint work, fresh tyres and uses Royal Purple engine oil. Car is mechanically great as well as good looking exterior and interior. Had my friends take a look under the car and lucky the seller is a mechanic himself so I would know he’s taken good care of the car.
So now I’ve got to arrange bank cheques tomorrow and take a train all the way to Gosford to get the car and do the paper work. Going to be a long night tomorrow and hopefully a car owner!
Man it’s been a hectic 2 weeks ever since I started looking for a car. Non-stop searching cars online and on forums. It’s pretty time consuming since I’ve pretty much used most of my spare time available looking for cars, doing research and contacting people for a car inspection.
Finally I can have a life again.
I’ll post up some tips and guides later to buying used car from private sellers. Very valuable information I’ve attained over the past short but intense 2 weeks. Hopefully you guys will find it helpful.