Web Hosts: Helping us navigate through this future techno-world.Computers, Internet, Web sites...what do they all mean? Hey, you're probably not a technophobe, I mean you own a microwave right? Just push a few buttons and the food cooks itself-easy. Now, they tell you the best way to share information, have a business, and generally communicate in life, are on the Web. I don't know about you but for me the Web conjures up visions of a giant spider whose sole intention is to turn me into a tasty appetizer. Computers scare me. People say they're the tool of the future, but I find them to be quite alien, especially compared to my lawnmower! All the technical jargon associated with these machines, it's like you have to have a university degree in Information Technology just to turn one on.
The key to solving the riddle is just to go back in time. Not easy?! Think about our ancestors, the prehistoric cave-dwelling hairy folk. How did they get the job done each day? Tools... Tools. A man had his stone axe to kill the wild beast; a woman had a basket to collect fruits and vegetables. Sounds a little sexist, but fortunately times have changed in a number of ways. In our modern society the main tool has become the computer and anyone can use it. In the old days a boy's father would teach them how to throw the axe. These days Web Hosts exist to help people get acquainted with the Internet in much the same loving parental role. These companies provide knowledge and access to all the fundamental ways of taking part in using the space age super-tool. I've heard that having knowledge about something is half the battle of getting a job done. Having a Web Host is like meeting your mentor, the wizard who shows you the simple way to navigate through this new techno-world. If you are a small business, a major company, or just an individual looking to spread a message to the rest of the world, the Internet or World Wide Web is your necessary gate of entry. Communication through Web Sites and Email systems is your means to partaking in the ‘new' world. Whether you are searching for information, selling a product or idea, talking to friends, or just browsing through the ‘shop' of life, Web Hosts are here to help you make the journey as enjoyable as possible. No more scratching your head in befuddlement, now there's a star lighting the way through our fearful darkness. More...
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How to Analyze Your Web Site Traffic (Part 3)
Herman Drost
How to Analyze Your Web Site Traffic (Part 3 of a 3 Part Series) Copyright 2002 by Herman DrostIn Part 2 of this series, we discussed some of the ways to track your web site visitors. Now we will take a look at:
4. Web Traffic Analysis Software These are programs that analyze your server logs and then create traffic reports accordingly. The quality of the reports generated will depend on what software you actually use. Some log analyzers are free and come preinstalled on many hosting accounts, while others can cost a good deal of money.
Examples: Webalizer (http://www.webalizer.com) WebTrends (http://www.webtrends.com)
Webalizer (free) The Webalizer is a fast, FREE, web server log file analysis program which produces usage statistics in HTML format for viewing with a standard web browser. The results are presented in both columnar and graphical format, which facilitates interpretation. Yearly, monthly, daily and hourly usage statistics are presented, along with the ability to display usage by site, URL, referrer, user agent (browser), search string, entry/exit page, username and country.
Here's an example of the Web Usage Statistics: http://www.webalizer.com/sample/index.html
WebTrends ($495) The Web Trends Analyzer produces essential reports on web site visitor patterns, referring sites, visitor paths and demographics. You can learn, for example, which sites and keyword searches have referred the largest number of visitors to your site.
It presents data, detailed and in-depth, in an organized and concise tabular format with full-color graphs.
This Log Analyzer is priced at $495 and is licensed for a single web server hosting content with a maximum of 50 domains.
Here's a sample of the web usage statistics: http://download.netiq.com/Library/SampleReports/ WAS_LA_Complete/complete.HTM
Conclusion: Web traffic statistics provide very valuable information about your web site. You can make better marketing decisions through them telling you:
Which Web pages are most popular and which are least used. Who is visiting your Web site. Which Web browsers to optimize your Web pages for. Which Web search engines are most useful to you, and which are the least useful. Where errors or bad links may be occurring in your Web pages.
By analyzing your web traffic, you can determine what marketing strategies are successful. You can then change them as necessary, to boost the sales or services from your site.
Herman Drost is a Certified Web Site Designer (CIW), owner and author of iSiteBuild.com Affordable Hosting, Site Design and Promotion Packages http://www.isitebuild.comSubscribe to his "Marketing Tips" newsletter for more original articles. mailto:subscribe@isitebuild.com. Read more of his in-depth articles at: www.isitebuild.com/articles
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How To Beat Spam!Spam. Can't mention it without cringing. For web hosts whose business is to provide a resource that can be exploited by spammers it's a never-ending challenge. Until there are better solutions available, web hosts need to take proactive steps to stop abuse, protect their business and customers. Here are some things you can do if not already implemented.
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