Are you still using your old Google Analytics code?  Well you probably should take a few minutes to upgrade to the new and improved version.  There are several features that unlock when you run the new and improved “ga.js” version.

Oh yeah, what’s the new stuff got for me?

Lots of improvements.   For starters, it runs faster and a smaller foot print on your webserver, your system administrator would be happy to know.  But wait!  There’s more… Google several of improved abilities to customize you tracking code.  Ecommerce business owners in particular have a lot more customizing options made available to them when they upgrade.

Do you have PDF’s or files available for download that you could like to track?  You can now track those in your reports as well!

If you have subdomains, you can also setup ga.js to track those.

You can even track users as they jump from domain to another, which interest us since we have www.infamia.com (our corporate website) and www.webconsultingdc.com (our blog), and if you have more than one website, it should interest you too.

You can also segement your visitor types into your reports.   This is really important for associations in Washington DC that like to track their members seperately from non-members.

And then there’s the future: Google has said that it will support the legacy code up to a year… maybe a bit longer,  but eventually they will discontinue it.   You’ll see new features appear for those that have converted, why be left behind now?

Google Analytics Urching.js or Ga.js, which one do I have?

Okay, what version of Google Analytics do I run?

Easy, open your browser, pull up your website, and select View Source.   PC users right click on the page and and Mac users…  Mickey?

[Mickey's note for Mac users: In safari, hit command-option-U or select "View Source" from the View menu; in Firefox hit command-U or select "Page Source" from the "View" menu.]

What you’re looking for is whether you have a bit of code that has urchin.js or whether it has ga.js.   The thumbnail on the right is a snippet from Google’s Migration Guide.

Alright, so how do I implement the new version?

Well, you can either contact us and we’ll do it for you.  Or if you’re crafty enough replacing the code pretty straight forward.   Customizing it to your business needs is another article but you can get it started.   Log into your Google Analytics account, edit your website’s profile, and click on “Check Status” at the top right.

Kinda hidden, click Check Status for your website's Profile (top right)

Once you’re in there you’ll see the code at the bottom, you’ll want to copy that and replace your Legacy GA code with this new code, on every page of your website.   This goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway, careful not to mess up any other code within those pages.  In fact, do a backup first!

Keep in mind the appropriate location for your ga.js code is at the bottom.  For large websites, the best place is to put it in a dynamically referenced footer so you don’t have to keep adding the same code into every page.

With complex websites such as e-commerce websites, you may require some programming particularly if you’re interested in taking advantage of some of the customizing features available now available to.   Get in touch with us, we would be delighted to help.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm and is filed under Must Have, Show me how!, Techy Stuff, Web News, Websites. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.