Google Analytics vs. Clicky

Google Analytics may be one of the most well-known web analytics tools out there. In 2013, 63% of Fortune 500 companies used Google Analytics, an increase from 45% in 2011. It’s free, easy to install and provides you with a wealth of insight to help you understand your visitors’ behavior and conversion rates. 

Though it’s often the popular choice, it’s not the only web analytics tool. Another option is Clicky, which is isn’t as well known, but is gaining popularity. According to Datanyze Universe, Clicky ranks #16 among analytics tools, while Google Analytics is ranked #1. In some ways they are comparable by offering similar traditional analytic statistics, while in other ways, have features that set them apart from each other.

But which is better? Let’s learn more about Clicky.  

Overview of Clicky

One of the most important goals of Clicky is to allow its users to see website activity in real time. This is different than Google Analytics, which can take about a day to populate traffic and visitor information. Clicky provides minute-by-minute analytics. The software enables companies to learn more about their potential customers and how they use the website.

Main Features

User-friendly Interface

Clicky offers a clean and uncluttered interface that easy to understand. It contains the most important information you’ll likely want to see first.

Real-time data

Though both Clicky and Google Analytics offer real-time data, Clicky provides more detail. By loading up the “Spy” page, you’ll see information of the user logging onto your site. A screen will pop up on your screen within a matter of seconds. You’ll then see which pages they clicked on.

User detail

Detailed information about every person who visits your site, such as username, IP address, Internet service, language and web browser. You can analyze each visitor individually and see his or her full history of actions on your site, and also attach custom data to visitors, such as usernames, or email addresses. Google Analytics isn’t this detailed. 

Video analytics

For videos embedded onto your site, Clicky can track how much time is spent viewing your videos, as well as the average time they paused or jumped somewhere new. This is helpful if you have a commercial or promotional video—you’ll know if you are losing your visitors’ interest at a particular point.

Referring Webpages

Clicky has a “Links”box that shows you all web pages that have referred visitors to any page on your website, such as Twitter, an e-mail, or another blog.

Twitter tracking

To keep up with what people are saying about you on Twitter, Clicky allows you to enter the keywords you want to track. When people mention those keywords, you’ll receive data on that activity. 

Heat maps

Heat maps can be viewed not only on a per-page basis but also for individual user sessions, all in real time. You can also heat map your split tests, allowing you to see where people are clicking on each version. This feature is normally offered by analytics programs that specialize in heat map information such as Crazy Egg. 

Alerts

Receive alerts to be notified of new visitors, goals, searches, referrers, IP tags and custom data, conversions, campaign visitors, logged in visitors, and more. Alerts appear via a desktop, email message, ClickyTouch mobile app or Twitter.

Mobile-friendly 

Clicky is a mobile-friendly service, offering hardware that shows which mobile platforms are being used by visitors on their tablet or mobile phone. It also doesn’t use any Flash, making it easy to be viewed on a mobile phone.

Easy Set-up

Set-up is similar to other analytics tools. After you create an account, you get an admin key and site key for each site you want to track. You install the code manually or use a plugin, such as for your Wordpress site. Mobile and desktop are also available to track your analytics without being on Clicky’s site.

Pricing

Clicky lets users select between its basic free version for sites with less than 3,000 views. Its ProPlus account, which starts at $9.99 per month, is required to track additional websites and access on-site analytics, heat maps, split testing, and other premium features. Clicky also offers other paid options: Pro Plus, Pro Platinum, and Custom.  

Final Thoughts

Though Clicky does offer more specific information about individual users, such as the heat map or real time data, Google Analytics still has some significant features.

By using GA, you can analyze your visitor’s behavior for free. It may not offer features like heat mapping, but it does provide users with insight on other important information such as whether a visitor shared the content on social media or clicked on an ad. 

Google also records words potential customers use that take them to your website, rank which browsers are used most, devices they are using and where they are being referred. Additionally, GA allows users to measure the engagement across different pages and create traffic funnel goals. It works great for Adsense and Adwords campaign monitoring. It also works well for smaller sites and businesses. Each time a goal is completed, Google logs the conversion into your analytics report.

It can be difficult to decide which web analytics tool to use. With that being said, I don’t think there’s a rule that you can only use one web analytics tool for a website or blog.

Besides Google Analytics and Clicky, there are many other web analytics tools out there such as OpenWeb Analytics, W3counter, Mint, HubSpot Analytics, and many others.  

Additionally, deciding which tool to use may also depend on your budget. Clicky’s features such as heat maps and Twitter tracking require a monthly/yearly payment. And, though Clicky does have a free version of its software, you may be required to pay either for an upgrade if your website traffic goes over 3,000 page views per day.

In my opinion, I think both Google Analytics and Clicky can serve as companions, not competitors. It’s wise to use both and get different aspects of your website visitor’s behavior. Each tool will give administrators insight to data that lead to understanding your audience’s behavior and help your website reach its maximum potential.

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Google is Watching You

Anytime we have a question or want to learn more about something, we turn to Google. Whether it’s to get the latest details on ISIS, Robin Williams, Ebola or the Academy Awards, Google is always there for us to turn to. It knows us well. A little too well.

Google, by far the most popular search engine, has a market share of 74.8%, followed by Bing at 12.4% and Yahoo at 10.9%. As we use Google's search engine, small data files—cookies—are stored in our computers filled with information about sites we have visited and products we clicked on. For example, we may have been browsing on Amazon for a product, and then later, while on Facebook, seen that same product in an advertisement on our news feed. That is an example of a cookie.

To the left is example of an ad placed on my Facebook feed after recently looking at Amazon Fire tablets on Amazon based on cookies stored on my computer. 

Google says that its mission is, "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." Between all the searching going on by millions of Americans each day, you can only imagine how much Google knows about us and our online habits.

Google’s collection of user data has been under much criticism in terms of ethics, privacy, and security. Let’s take a look at the different sources of data Google uses on us. 

Here's some channels Google uses to learn about us:

• Web searches: This includes images, news, blogs. All searches are tracked
• Clicks on search results: Along with tracking what you search, it also tracks what sites you clicked on
• Website analytics: Google Analytics, which is free, supports a large percentage of the world's websites
• Email: Gmail content, both sent and received, is parsed and analyzed.
• Twitter: Google has direct access to all tweets that pass through Twitter.
• Google Apps: (Docs, Spreadsheets, Calendar, etc.) – Google’s office suite has many users and is of course a valuable data source to Google.
• The Google Chrome browser: Our website browsing behavior is tracked.
• Google Maps: If you've ever used this to get directions, Google knows that, too.
• YouTube: Owned by Google, YouTube a huge amount of information about its users’ viewing habits.

See all the other channels here

Terms of Agreement

Last year, Google updated its terms of service by saying, "Our automated systems analyze your content (including emails) to provide you personally relevant product features, such as customized search results, tailored advertising, and spam and malware detection. This analysis occurs as the content is sent, received, and when it is stored."

Read this: Why your website has high bounce rates

Google says that by using its services, we give the company license to use, host, store, reproduce, publish, publicly display and distribute such content. In return, Google analyze our content (including emails) to give us personally relevant product features, such as customized search results, tailored advertising, and spam and malware detection.

Though the terms of service is there, I had never read it. I didn't even think to look up Google's terms of service.

Ethics

In 2009, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said, “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.” 

This caused a buzz on the Internet, causing interpretation by to mean that Google, a company that claims to care about privacy, isn’t concerned enough to understand the basic lesson on privacy and preservation of freedom and human rights. 

At the same time, Schmidt reportedly blacklisted all CNET reporters for a year after the news website published personal information of one of Google’s founders in an article: his salary, his neighborhood, his hobbies and personal donations, all of which were obtained through Google searches. 

Google has been criticized in the past for its ethics issues. One example was reported in 2010, when Google Books illegally scanned 20 million books for a digital library. This began as a secret project in 2002. Google claims the scanning is covered by fair-use provisions of copyright law. On the other hand, publishers and authors—who filed a $125 million lawsuit against Google Books-- insist Google needed explicit permission from them before making the digital copies. 

It also showed only snippets of the copyrighted books unless permission was given to show more. Though the case was later dismissed, thousands of authors still allege that Google is illegally profiting from their works. 

These are just two of many unethical cases regarding Google. 

Privacy

In October 2013, a federal judge refused to dismiss a potential class-action lawsuit brought by Gmail users who object to its practice of analyzing the content of all messages on its network and selling byproducts to advertisers. Those suing Google said it violated federal wiretap laws. The US District Court Judge held that Google never told Gmail users that Google would create personal profiles and target users with ads. Nor did people who are not Gmail users but who were writing to Gmail addresses agree to let Google collect and parse their message.

This is similar to a 2009 case when Google’s lawyers said its email technology was used for scanning spam, computer viruses and serving ads ‘within the Gmail user’s experience.”

In a different case regarding street view mapping, Google was sued by 38 states after it admitted that its cars outfitted with roof cameras facing four directions weren’t just taking pictures—they were also collecting data form computers inside homes and structures, including “passwords, emails, and other personal information fro unsuspecting computer users.”

Security

There have also been concerns regarding Google’s security. For example, there was a major flaw in Google Chrome, the third most popular web browser at 16% market share, was recently reported, claiming the browser exposed names, email addresses, street addresses, phone numbers, bank account numbers, social security numbers and credit card numbers directly onto your hard drive in plain text without your knowledge or consent.

Read this: How to increase your conversion rate

"By default Google Chrome stores (web) form data, including data entered on secure websites, to automatically suggest for later use, the article said. “This stored data is unencrypted text and accessible if your computer or hard drive is stolen or is infected with malware."

Additionally, there was a report of Google Chrome and Google Apps confessing that the problem of passwords would continue to plague users and computer security in the foreseeable future. 

In response, Google advised users to turn on a two-step verification system, make sure their browsers are up to date and that their password recovery options are set. 

The Price We Pay

Based on Google’s issues regarding ethics, privacy and security, we can only wonder if our personal information is actually safe. However, in my opinion, using Google is the price we pay for all of Google’s benefits, especially since most of its services are free.

After all, Google is the world’s largest clearinghouse for information so deeply embedded into our daily lives. As one article states: we turn to it for advice on all kinds of things, whether it’s relationships and midlife crises, weekday hangovers and pregnancy symptoms, natural, social and financial disasters, medical information, what to wear on a first date, how to get rid of stretch marks and even how to travel alone. 

Anytime we use Google, we enable it and draw conclusions on who we are and what we care about. 

If we want to truly protect ourselves, we should change our passwords often, make them complex and not share anything we don’t want Google to expose. That’s about all we can do. 

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How to choose the social media platforms for your business

So, you have a business now and want to start reaching out to your audiences via social media. There’s many to choose from, but platform is best? Should you just use one? All of them? 

When identifying social media channels, businesses should not feel obligated to use every single platform out there. Instead, it’s wise to select those that align best with your audience and that will broadcast the type of media best suited for your business.

To give you an overall glance at the power of social media networks, here are the most active users for each:

1. Facebook: 1.28 billion
2. Google+: 540 million
3. Twitter: 255 million
4. Instagram: 200 million
5. LinkedIn: 187 million
6. Pinterest: 40 million

Depending on several different factors, such as your customers’ demographics (age, gender, education level, location, etc.), or even what content you’ll be providing, you may want to choose wisely on which platforms to use for your business. For example, if your demographics are 65 and older— they probably won’t have an Instagram account. Facebook or Pinterest may be a better choice. If your customers are kids or teenagers, LinkedIn may not be the best choice to engage with them. LinkedIn is better served for Business-to-Business companies or are network-focused. Instead, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook may be better. See what I mean? 

Let’s take a look at the most prominent social media platforms, what purposes they serve, and what types of businesses have had the best success with them.

Read this: How to improve website conversion rates

Facebook

Wishpond, a social media blog, recommends all businesses be on Facebook, which remains one of the most powerful and popular platforms used. More than 70% of online adults actively use Facebook. This platform is ideal for local businesses, as customers actively seek out business pages for updates, times and events. It’s also great for interacting with your customers, showcasing your products and services, and targeting your clients through paid advertising.

Just remember that Facebook isn’t about selling your products and services. It’s about offering a more personal connection with your customers through friendly, sociable approach. Do posts that will motivate them to respond, share and ask questions. Use photos to illustrate your brand’s story. 

Facebook works best for B2C companies and brands who sell products and software, as 42% of Facebook fans like a page to get a discount or coupon.

Twitter

Twitter is the “in the moment” platform. It is the best platform for breaking news, updates and questions for and from your followers. It is appealing to “information junkies,” meaning that if your business will be posting topic-based posts or timely insights, Twitter will work great for you.

This platform also allows you to hashtag (#) a word or phrase, which will start a trend and organizes them into a category with others tweets with the same hashtag to be more easily found and followed. It creates a lot of buzz and can lead to an increase in engagement and followers of your brand. 

Twitter works best for B2B businesses and entities that post publications, such as on blogs, microblogs and websites. 

LinkedIn

Linkedin works well for B2B companies, as well as other companies who are looking to grow their business contacts with individuals and companies, find future employees for their company, and establish themselves as an industry expert. They can also use Groups to ignite industry-related and company-related discussions.  Research shows that 65% of B2B companies have acquired customers through LinkedIn, while 90% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn.

Pinterest

Pinterest is an excellent platform for ecommerce, such as those in fashion, food, photography, jewelry, and home hardware stores (DIY). Among Pinterest users, 70% of them use the platform for inspiration on what to buy. These types of businesses can post the photo onto a “board,” and when a consumer clicks on it, will be taken to the business’s website to learn more or ideally purchase the item. If your company targets moms, Pinterest is also a must, as 61% of moms say they more likely visit Pinterest than the average American.

Demographics-wise, if your main audience is women, this platform is a great choice—84% of Pinterest users are female. Also, 34% of Pinterest users have an average household income of $100,000. 

Read this: Why your website has high bounce rates

Instagram

Instagram is a heavily photo-based platform popularly used by restaurants, clothes, fashion architecture, technology and designers. The dominant age range is 18-29, so if your business target this group, you should definitely be on Instagram. You’ll also find it interesting that 30% of teens say Instagram is the most important social network.

YouTube

YouTube, the top video-sharing social network, gives companies an enormous potential, as it reaches more adults ages 18-34 than any cable network. It’s also the second most-used search engine following Google. The free site enables user to not only watch videos, but also like them, comment and share them with their friends in other social networks. Businesses also have the potential to have a video go viral, allowing content to be seen by millions in a short period of time. 

If your brand is visually driven, such as an online retailer or other e-commerce business, YouTube will allow you to give customers an up-close look at products and showcase customer success stories. Research shows that 52% of consumers who watch product videos make them more confident in online purchasing decisions. 

Google+

About 68% of Google+ users are men. Popular users include professionals such as students, technology industry professionals, bloggers and photographers are. Since Google+ is owned by Google, posting content on there will increase your chances of being found through local search.

Wrapping Up…

So, depending on what type of business you own or work for, certain social media sites will be more effective than others. By building a basic profile of your customers and looking at their age, gender, buying habits, income level, marital status and hobbies, you’ll be able to determine what social platforms they’ll use to find more information about you and purchase your products or service.

Just remember than regardless of what platforms you decide to implement into your social media plan, remember this: content is king. In other words, post content that your customers will want to talk about. 

It’s not enough to just post content out into the world wide web. That’s just the first step. As Catherine Novak of Social Media Today says, “Users are constantly sending out little bits information, but the fun really doesn’t start unless these morsels are taken up by someone else and responded to, passed along, or even “liked.” 

Make each post filled with action, emotion and personal experience. These types of posts get conversations started. Treat your customers like people, not “consumers.”

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