Good data is the backbone of smart decision making, and any business wanting to move ahead needs to engage in some form of analyzing their data. Online businesses (or the online parts of an offline business) are no different. And, in many cases, it's even easier to analyze data online, because so much of it can be tracked and reported automatically. Here are eight tried and true tools that will work to help you with analyzing your business.
1. Google Analytics
Most people know about Google Analytics; they use it on their blog or website to get some insight in how well their websites are doing. If you can figure out how to use it effectively, it has a lot to offer. You might need a professional to help you make use of it at more than a basic level. However, it's a great tool that most businesses should use since Google is still the number one search engine. (Not sure how to leverage this powerful tool? Check out our FREE Google Analytics training.)
2. Spring Engage
This analytics tool is focused on turning leads into customers. This system helps you capture email addresses as well as break down your visitors by location, source, and more. It's amazing software that can take your business to levels never before considered. However, it is pricy and will require a personalized demo and quote.
3. Biz Tool Analytics
QuickBooks is essentially the standard for accounting software for small businesses, and this add-on tool from Biz Tool Analytics will help you analyze your business. This takes printing reports to a whole new level.
4. Woopra
If you need real-time customer activity monitoring, this is the app for you. You can tell what your visitors are doing the moment they get to your site and where they're from, even before they subscribe.
5. Clicky
You can use this free on one site to see real-time traffic on your website and get reports for historical data, too. Upgrade to the pro version for more features and more websites. You do have to install it on your website to make it work, but visitors will not see it.
6. KISSmetrics
Use these analytics along with Google to optimize your marketing efforts to get more sales and conversions for any website or blog. They have price points for almost every size business.
7. Hostanalytics
Accounting is very important and the finances of your business are essential to making it last and work. This is for a larger business, but as you grow you should consider keeping a close eye on finances to ensure continued success.
8. Qlik
This analytics tool is different in that it's a desktop Windows app that allows you to see interactive data as it's starting. You can even use it free. It has many interesting features that are very intuitive to use to help you take your business to the next level.
Also, remember that many applications that you use for your business offer internal business intelligence solutions. Check them out to see if they give you the insights that you need to know to make your business run effectively.
Staying ahead of the numbers is necessary to notice trends and to help push sales higher or avoid a problem.
(Don't forget about our FREE Google Analytics training… grab access here.)