Google Analytics is a powerful and accessible (free) tool that allows marketers to track more than 200 metrics that span the entire funnel, from acquisition to conversion. It records user interactions and packages them into “hits”, which are then sent to Google's servers and stored in a brand's Analytics account. The most common types of visits you should look out for include ecommerce visits, event tracking visits, and page tracking visits.
Whenever the tracking code is indicated by a user action, Google Analytics will record this action. This could be anything from buying a product on a mobile app to loading a page on a standard blog website. Each of these actions is directly packaged into a visit, after which the activity is sent to a Google server so that it can be accessed at any time in the future.
Google defines a hit as an interaction that results in sending data to Analytics. Each recorded interaction is “packaged” into a hit, or a data package, that is sent to Google's servers, where it is stored in a brand's Analytics account. To better understand how this works, let's take a look at the three most common types of hits in Google Analytics: page tracking visits, event tracking visits, and e-commerce visits.
Page Tracking Visits
Page tracking visits are the most basic type of hit in Google Analytics. Whenever someone visits your website, the tracking code you have placed on each page is triggered and sends data to Google Analytics. This data includes information about the page they visited, how long they stayed on it, and what other pages they visited afterwards.
This type of visit is important because it allows you to track how many people are visiting your website and which pages they are visiting. It also helps you understand how people are navigating through your website and which pages are most popular. This information can then be used to optimize your website for better user experience and higher conversions.
Event Tracking Visits
Event tracking visits are slightly more complex than page tracking visits. They involve tracking specific user actions such as clicking on a link or watching a video. This type of visit allows you to track how users interact with your website and what actions they take while they are there.
For example, if you have an ecommerce website, you can use event tracking visits to track when customers add items to their shopping cart or complete their purchase. This type of visit can also be used to track when users sign up for newsletters or download content from your website.
E-Commerce Visits
E-commerce visits are the most complex type of hit in Google Analytics. They involve tracking customer purchases on your website and sending this data to Google Analytics. This type of visit allows you to track how much money customers are spending on your website and which products they are buying.
It also allows you to track customer behavior such as how long it takes them to complete their purchase or which payment methods they prefer. This information can then be used to optimize your website for better customer experience and higher conversions.
Conclusion
Google Analytics is an incredibly powerful tool that can help you track and analyze user behavior on your website. By understanding the three most common types of hits in Google Analytics – page tracking visits, event tracking visits, and e-commerce visits – you can gain valuable insights into how users interact with your website and use this information to optimize your website for better user experience and higher conversions.
