But searching around for this, even searching the exact phrase "Tracking outbound clicks with Google Analytics", first brings you to an outdated (!) page on Google's own website (why Google is not smart enough to point to the more relevant new page is beyond my area of expertise).
When you finally find what you are looking for, you get a detailed yet lacking explanation of how to track outbound clicks. Two examples are given - for (the newer) Asynchronous Code (which seems to be the only code still available) and for the older Traditional (ga.js) Code (you will have to decide which one to use - but if you are not using the newer code now is probably a good time to update to it anyway).
You have to put this extra code into the HTML Head of all your pages - (extra meaning that you also need to have your regular Google Analytics code in place). The key part which took some trial an error on my part, is that this code must be ABOVE the regular part of your Analytics code. I know this would probably seem logical to most people, but why something this simple can't be better explained, and an example shown, is beyond me. Unfortunately while it sounds relatively simple here, this process, by the dozens if not hundreds of posts you can find and variations and permutations there are of it, has driven hundreds of people insane.
So remember - to track clicks using Events in Google Analytics, go here for the latest code, place it in your HTML head before your Google Analytics code, change the parameters accordingly in your links (detailed also on the page linked to), and then wait a day to see your results. They should appear as "Events" in your "Content" category menu, and you can drill down further from there for specific results. Good luck -
]]>"You will not post content that: is hateful, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence."
So I guess the thing is that people that post this kind of stuff have like minded friends, and they don't report each other, so the stuff stays up there? I am not talking about porno spam on your wall from a complete stranger, but photo galleries, wall posts, etc. containing pornography and more often than not copyrighted material.
I guess it pretty much amounts to a don't ask don't tell policy, or nudge, nudge, wink, wink - but to me it just screams again that Facebook's user numbers are inflated for all the wrong reasons (like the gazillion under age kids that use it, etc.).
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The IAB is hosting a conference in Milan in a couple of weeks - I am hoping to attend and will blog from the event. My clients know that I have been pushing IAB standard sized ads forever, even though they always seem to push back...
Anyway looks like some interesting seminars and it will be great to meet some people in the business.
]]>Here is my take/addition to this article - people (chefs) just don't realize/know what they need, and they think that they have to sell or dress up their websites just like they do their food - and so they get sold on things by poor developers, or the developer just says yes to whatever the chef wants for fear of losing the job, etc. (and I bet that most chefs/restaurant owners are cheap when it comes to the web because they don't believe in it).
Anyway - there are basic simple concepts that must be followed, as always, no matter what the industry is and we talk about them all the time. Simple navigation, clean design, information quickly and easily. It isn't rocket science - there is no need to "tart" it up - especially in the increasingly mobile world.
This is all a restaurant website needs:
Hours, Location (and a map with directions or directions available via Google), contact phone and email, sample menu (no prices!), sample wine list, and a photo or two.
You want to go crazy and plan to update the site all the time? Add a current menu with prices, current wine list with prices, and a photo album. Perhaps a link to reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor. Maybe a sign up form for a newsletter (but only if you are going to really send a newsletter).
Insanity levels would include a reservation system via form of some kind.
Otherwise, use blogger or Facebook to add current menu items, announce specials, news, etc. Anything else is really overkill, and not anything someone who wants to eat your food needs.
]]>+1 Reporting is now availableIn our last issue we told you all about the +1 button and how it can help you drive more and better qualified traffic to your site. This time, we're excited to share the new reporting tools Google has designed to help you keep track of your +1 activity.
The best place to find out how the +1 button is performing is in Google Webmaster Tools . You can get more information on how much additional organic search traffic the +1 button is bringing to your pages, how many times your pages have been +1'd by your users and demographic information for those users. If you haven't done so already, you'll need to verify your site on Google Webmaster Tools to get access to these features. In addition to this, Google Analytics is offering the new Social Plug-in Analytics tool. This will give you insight into the different types of actions taking place in your site once users reach it. You'll be able to compare behavior between users who +1 your pages and those who don't, as well as track other social actions and see which pages are driving the highest number of them.
It is good info, and stuff you should be on top of if you are running a web business, blog, or develop sites for clients.
]]>I just added a couple of links in the blog roll in the right column - to asymco and Apple 2.0. These are both more business and news related but are things I think anyone who visits this site should probably be keeping an eye on.
I am also planning some articles on affiliate marketing and app making/design etc. As well as web advertising and development in general. Basically the things we work on and read about all day long.
So, more to come. Stay tuned -
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Thanks to Amit at Digital Inspiration.
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user or login: name@widgetdesigns.com (replace name with your Yahoo! ID, and widgetdesigns.com with your own domain name)
password: the password you use to sign in to your Yahoo! account
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