Google Universal Analytics: the next big thing?
Today I came across a video about Universal Analytics, Google’s self-proclaimed next big thing.
But is it really? In short? Yes! Here’s why.
What is the difference between Google Analytics and Google Universal Analytics?
Universal Analytics tracks much more than just visits to a website likes Google Analytics does. Where Google Analytics (based on Urchin) tracks visits, Universal Analytics tracks visitors. This allows us to do cross-device tracking which mean even more detailed statistics!
Offline conversions
With the Measurement Protocol you’re now able to ‘plug in’ extra user data, provided by offline/external appliances such as an RFID chip, apps, sensors, etc. Have a look at the YouTube video in my introduction. As a geek, I absolutely love this. The more data the merrier.
Customisable session timeouts
You can now alter this ourselves. Previously this limit was a hard fixed 30 minutes.
Analytics.js
Ga.js becomes analytics.js. The include code also changes.
Custom dimensions/metrics
Custom dimensions/metrics allows you to create specific metrics in combination with your CRM’s database. See this as custom variables 2.0.
External cost structure
External input, external output. We’re now able to import external costs structures so we can calculate our conversions and ROI even more accurate. Back in the old days.. we could only import Google Adwords costs.
And much, much more..
Here’s some more useful and interesting links I found about Google Universal Analytics:
- https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/2817075?hl=en
- http://econsultancy.com/be/blog/62592-eight-ways-google-universal-analytics-will-change-the-way-businesses-use-data
- http://www.smartinsights.com/digital-marketing-strategy/google-analytics-vs-universal-analytics/
- http://wijs.be/nl/trends-inzichten/blog/detail/universal-analytics-de-spannendste-update-ooit-in-google-analytics
Did I forgot to mention something very important about Universal Analytics? Please leave a note in the comments 🙂
