Basic Web Analytics: Time on Site and Bounce Rate

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What is the value of measuring time on site? What is the difference between bounce rate and exit rate? Why should I care? What should I do about it? Building on work by Avinash Kaushik, Dooley presents an overview of these important metrics.

Transcript of Basic Web Analytics: Time on Site and Bounce Rate

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Basic Web Analytics:Time on Site, Bounce Rate

Laura Lee S. DooleyOnline Engagement StrategistWorld Resources Institute (www.wri.org)twitter.com/lauraleedooleylauralee@wri.org

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Metric #3: Average Time

The average amount of time visitors spent

viewing this set of pages or page

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Scorecard metrics

Google.com =8.4 min/day

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Time on Site Computation for Tabbed BrowsingAvinash Kaushik

Page 4Page 4(1 min)(1 min)

Page 2Page 2(4 min)(4 min)

Page 3Page 3(2 min)(2 min)

Page 5Page 5(0 min)(0 min)

HomeHome(1 min)(1 min) > > > >

Exit

10:0710:0510:0210:01

Enter - 10:00

One session, visit “reorganized” by time stamps1 Visit, 1 Unique Visitor, 7 minutes

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Metric # 4: Bounce Rate

% of single-page visits or visits in which the person left your site from the entrance

(landing) page

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Attributes of bounce rate

• Really hard to misunderstand = users who land on your site and refused to give you even one single click!

• Available in most web analytics tools, including Google Analytics. 

• Quick and easy to use. Helps you identify and make changes in under an hour.

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Previous Page

Current Page

Next Page

Bounce Rate = 100%Exits = 60%

Bounce rate v. exits

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Previous Page

Current Page

Next Page

Bounce Rate = 80%Exits = 70%

Bounce rate v. exits

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Previous Page

Current Page

Next Page

Bounce Rate = 20%Exits = 40%

Bounce rate v. exits

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Scorecard metrics

40-60%

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

How did the visitor come to your page?

Why did they exit?

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Bounce Rate Metrics

• Site average

• Top content, landing pages

• Referring sites

• Search keywords

• Adwords, Campaigns

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Site average v. landing pages

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Top content, landing pages

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Referring sites: Highest bounce rate

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Referring sites: Landing pages

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Search keywords

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Adwords

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Adwords

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Site Overlay

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Recommendations for lower bounce rates

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

bounce rate is very

much influencedby what is

visible to the visitor

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009

Add landing page links to …

• feature articles with in-depth analysis

• other news articles on the same topic

• dedicated reference page dealing with only the specific topic

• comment section/forum to invite participation by readers

• back story or general background information

• multi-media presentations (audio/video)

Laura Lee S. Dooley, Online Engagement Strategist, World Resources Institute

Using Google Analytics May 29, 2009