Google Analytics v5 rollout with new features
Google has been rolling out and informing Analytics users that the new version of Google Analytics will soon be activated in their accounts as they move towards withdrawing the old version completely by early 2012.
The new version has a completely redesigned interface that, Google says, makes it even easier to explore your data.
In addition there a number of new features being introduced. Below are a few of these that Google regards as the most significant:-
Google Real Time Reporting
Google Analytics Real-Time
Real-Time reporting shows you what’s happening on your site – right now!
The reports are updated continuously and each pageview is reported seconds after it occurs on your site.
You’ll find Real-Time reports in the ‘Home’ tab.
Multi-channel Funnels
Multi-Channel Funnels
See which channels your customers interacted with during the 30 days prior to converting or purchasing.
Conversion path data includes interactions with many media channels, including clicks from paid and organic searches, affiliates, social networks and display ads. Video demo & Usage guide
Enhanced Mobile Reporting
Mobile Reporting
More and more, visitors are using mobile devices to browse the web.
Mobile reports in the new version of Google Analytics help you understand how mobile visitors are interacting with your site.
You will be able to see even which mobile devices your visitors use and optimise for those devices.
Flow Visualisation
Visitor Flow Visualisation
Flow Visualisation is a beautifully designed and highly sophisticated tool for graphically showing how visitors navigate through your site.
Google says it has completely re-imagined and redesigned the navigation tools available in the old version of Google Analytics.
Video demo & Usage guides for Visitor Flow, Goal Flow.
Over the next few weeks Google Analytics v5 will become the default for all users.
At the same time they are simultaneously rolling out the report email scheduler and PDF export features which were useful for sharing your analytical insights with both colleagues and clients missing in the early interface.
Old version still available but for a limited period!
If you need to refer to the old version, you can find the link to old version in the top right corner of Google Analytics.
However, it would be a worthwhile exercise getting to know the new version as the old version will only be available until early in the new year.
…and potentially rendered useless by the new cookie legislation!?
Hopefully one of the new features is a work around.
And, with less than 6 months to go there still seems to be very little movement by any of the major analytics platforms.
Posted about it back in June just after the 12-month extension was announced and it seemed to be one of the only around commenting on it: http://blog.web-media.co.uk/web-design/can-i-have-a-cookie-please-maybe-but-not-for-12-months-say-ico/
Trying the new version and it’s awesome. Visitor flow visualisation presents some interesting insights.
But, with the cookie law deadline fast approaching and less than 6 months away for just how long will we be able to continue using it?