We are eagerly awaiting a new feature for Google Analytics which Google says will be rolled out in January 2010.
Annotations will allow you to be able to click on a date and leave a note describing an event or occurrence which happened on that individual day. These notes can be shared or set to private so only you can see them.
The great thing about the shared notes is that other users who have access to that individual profile can view them. This feature will allow you to keep a record of both internal and external factors which create activity on your site; this might include:
- Website redesign
- New product launch
- Unexpected press interest
- Start of social media campaign – scheduled or unplanned
- Offline marketing e.g. print advertisements or TV Ads
- Working with new SEO Agency
- Launch of new AdWords campaign
If you employ the service of a Search Engine Marketing Agency then Annotations could save you time as by simply updating the timeline in Analytics all users can access this data. This will also ensure that any surges in sales can be attributed to the correct source of activity.
Often the reason why direct traffic has increased can be a complete mystery. An annotated timeline though will help to shed some light and provide some reasons behind visitor activity.
This is one of the latest new features which has recently been added to Google Analytics, which is a free analytics package designed for website owners to help get the best out of their websites.
What do you think?