Graphic + Web Design

A Review: CDIA’s Google Analytics Webinar

June 23, 2011 Thank you to everyone that joined Jay Murphy in his webinar presentation, "How to use Google Analytics to measure your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results". During the webinar, Jay covered a ‘whirl-wind tour’ of Search Engine Optimization and then demonstrated how to use Google Analytics to determine the initial keywords, result and how to optimize an SEO campaign.

The webinar was well received, in the words of one attendee, “Awesome webinar, very helpful to get started with GA!”

Click to download the presentation as PDF: Google_Analytics_SEO_22June2011.pdf

For those who could not stay on longer the following questions and answers from the webinar follow:

Q: Is it okay for Meta Descriptions to include repetitive statements (like company mission statement) if it also includes something unique for the page or does that decrease SEO?
A: Probably better to make the description more readable - so minimize repetition unless it really makes sense for the page.

Q: Can you set up Google Analytics for Blogger?
A: Yes - Google Analytics can be setup for Wordpress and other blogging software.

Q: Does Google Analytics gather it's data from past visits (prior to setting up your account with Google Analytics) or does it only gather data from the first time you start your account?
A: No Google Analytics does not gather prior data.

Q: Is there a way to track Email Me links within an email campaign?
A: Yes - There is a way to include tags that track the campaign and medium.

Q: Who do you suggest we can hire to get us going on providing the services that you are explaining today? I am a hands on learner and much of what you are discussing is over my head so feel I need help. Any suggestions appreciated.
A: The CDIA Workshops are one good way to do this - The link for the intro is here: Google Analytics Workshop

Q: Are there any open source analytics you recommend? Some clients are skeptical of Google and don't want to use it.
A: Google is based on Urchin - which I believe is still open source. There are also a lot of free log file based tools available through most hosting companies.

Q: Is it okay for Meta Descriptions to include repetitive statements (like company mission statement) if it also includes something unique for the page or does that decrease SEO?
A: Probably better to make the description more readable - so minimize repetition unless it really makes sense for the page.

Q: I'm sorry you may have said already, but how often should you update your keywords, titles, and headings? Using the information from Google analytics?
A: This is a good question - it depends on the type of website. For a new website that is frequently updated each new story should be optimized and updated as created and reviewed. For some smaller websites, monthly or quarterly is perfectly fine.

Q: sitemap.xml and what was the other file?
A: A link about sitemap.xml and robots.txt is included in the presentation.