Many times, statistics from web analysis can be misleading. It is all too easy to end up doing the wrong thing based on analysis of website statistics. Here are mistakes we have discovered for the following metrics:
It is very important to measure conversions by keyword. This lets you know where to focus your marketing efforts. However, many B2B sites and especially those with high-cost items have a relatively small number of conversions. In addition, the conversion may occur:
Since the numbers are small and may not be traceable to the original search, in many cases it is statistically invalid to decide on actionable items based on the number of leads by keyword. In those cases, it is best to find proxies for conversions. Possible proxy candidates are time-on-site or engaging actions.
The percentage of leads from total visitors or any other segment is not always relevant. In many cases, the profit from a B2B sale is big enough so that a good lead can justify the cost of a campaign even though the percentage of leads is small. The absolute number of leads is more important in this case. If you see that the percentage of leads from traffic is going down but the absolute number is going up–you can go out and celebrate your success.
Measuring the absolute number of leads can mislead you. Yes, I know I just contradicted the previous point. Unfortunately, you may sometimes notice the number of leads is decreasing. Before you panic, it is useful to measure the percentage of conversions. This is because there are many times when seasonal or other time-based factors impact total traffic. If we just measure absolute numbers and we see a 50% drop in leads we start to panic. But if you see that the percentage of leads is consistent over the last few months you know that the reduction in the number of leads is due to a drop in traffic. You should then analyze to see if the reason is seasonal or other factors we have no control over. If it is seasonal, we can relax–although we should still try and improve the percentages. If it is a factor we do have control over, we can then start to panic and work to rectify the situation.
It is useful to measure the percentage of conversions to use as an early warning sign, however, our main goal should be to increase absolute conversions at the expense of increasing them outweighs the profit.
This important metric has great PR but it is undeserved. As long as you are profiting from a campaign, the return on investment should not be used to eliminate ad campaigns. You can use it:
If you need to reduce your advertising budget this metric then becomes necessary in order to guide you to which areas it is best to reduce the budget.
Not all downloads are created equal. Whitepapers are typically downloaded earlier in the sales cycle. In addition, you may get many non-qualified people downloading the white paper who are interested in the subject. Datasheets, on the other hand, are usually downloaded by people later in the sales process and who want to see detailed specifications of your product.
By measuring downloads you are lumping these and other different segments together. Best to measure whitepaper downloads separately from data sheet downloads. An upsurge in white paper downloads in October may be because students are studying the subject described in your white paper. On the other hand, an upsurge in data sheet downloads is usually great news–unless you find out that it is your competitors doing all the downloading.
In many cases, metrics do not have enough information to be statistically valid. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to want to come to conclusions fast. This could be because:
Avoid the pressure. I have seen many tests where the results flip-flop once or twice before the numbers are valid.
Numbers are great and no one loves them more than me. However, they are just numbers and have many disadvantages:
The conclusions may not make sense and by being stubborn and digging deeper you can usually find the reason
In addition, they can be manipulated to prove preconceived ideas-sometimes unconsciously. As my seventh-grade math teacher said: Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.
These are some of the web analytics pitfalls and mistakes we have come across. I am sure there are many more. If you have any, I would love to hear from you.
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