< 22 degree - Zone of an Internet Junkie>

iPad in India... finally

2011-01-28T10:25:00.000+05:30

iPad to be available in India almost a year late... but the thing to see is if other operators tie up with them too.

Right now BSNL has come up with iPad plans... slightly sticky service i say

http://www.medianama.com/2011/01/223-ipad-bsnl-data-plans/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+medianama+(Medianama:+Digital+Media+In+India)

Opera is indeed the fastest

2010-06-27T09:10:00.004+05:30

I have always been double minded about which browser renders the site te fastest. Since i can't give up on Firefox with its extensions, which sometime act quite sluggish, I considered Google Chrome as the preferred option only when i'm browsing surfing flash sites etc...

But (and thats a big butt), Opera 10.54 is by far the fastest site rendering I have ever seen. and I'm not even turning on the Turbo mode (which of course cuts down on image quality to render fast).

One feature i've always liked it that we have a search bar with an option of searching in all search engines at the same time and whichever the fastest results will be shown. Soo cool eh..

The normal Opera browsing is indeed the "fastest browsing on earth"

And Navjot left Opera recently.. damn :P

Google Voice - Final step towards G Phone?

2009-09-18T14:04:00.002+05:30

Google is coming up with a Voicemail service which is something users would love as it reduces the pain of so many numbers.

Now, if all Google Voice did was send phone calls to your cell phone, that would be great all by itself, but the amount of extra tools and features are truly amazing

When a voicemail is recorded, you can check it by going to the Google Voice website and logging in, or calling your Google number. You can even be notified by email, or text message.

Check out some other handy features http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

S(o)per(a)man

2009-09-09T11:13:00.003+05:30

I just checked the New Opera 10... and like the picture on the opera page depicts... Up up and Away....

I tested in 3 type of connection speeds 256 Kbps, 512 Kbps, 1 MBPS +. Of course there is a slight difference but its reaaly fast site rendereing... For the sites that you have opened once.. the next time would just be a breeze...

Not much to say apart from check it out yourself

and one more thing... Oh Yeah its fast...

Cheerio

Add on Collections by Firefox

2009-07-02T22:00:00.003+05:30

I just stumbled upon a really cool thing that firefox did after a long time... (of course firefox 3.5 as well). I always wondered and wished there was a way where i can get my fav extensions bundled together.

Especially when there is a system crash or you lose your browser settings (read extensions) by any means. Look what we finally have - a collection of extensions bundeled together for your taste and purpose to help you work.

You can choose from array of collections already available, create your own collection & download an Add on collecter for your personal bundle.

Ain't that cool.. Firefox loyalists Check it out https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/collections/editors_picks

Google scares me now

2008-09-06T00:55:00.002+05:30

The more I use the new Chrome browser... the more I feel scared... Google has always backed up Firefox.. and now secretly develops its browser (by hacking one of Firefox developer).

But what really scares me is the amount of information that Google has at its disposal currently. I have always had issues with Google keeping an eye on my browsing, for me thats serious breach of privacy... I know EULA is something I accepted but.. this could be dangerous...Now we dont have google toolbar, but the browser records everything and anything according to EULA... Damn it...

With this kind of information and some backdoor business moves.. dunno how much of "Do no Evil" still stands true... Another microsoft in the making....

Chrom(e)atic Browsing

2008-09-03T15:48:00.004+05:30

I just downloaded the New browser from the Google stable - Chrome. Being a Firefox loyalist for 3 years now, I generally keep looking out for a reason to give up the loyalty but extensions just keep me hooked. But the first look of chrome, I got to say, I'm really impressed. With whatever time I played with it.. these are some of the really user friendly features:

- Dynamically moving tabs: The tabs can be dynamically moved on the taskbar. Although this has been a feature on Firefox for long, The visual impact is more in chrome.
- Speed of site rendering: The moment I opened a URL it appeared in no time at all... like in a flash. I dunno how they have achieved this, but I was amazed
- Task manager for crash control - In case your tab freezes or hangs up on you, the browser wont be affected as each tab is independent of the other in Chrome. Just right click and you have a "task manager" for browser... Beat that. Perhaps thats how they get the maximum speed of page rendering as each tab works independently. Wo ho..

- History on blank tabs and all the recently opened and closed tabs withing the browser window (Some like me, would call that a breach of privacy)

- Suggest feature in the URL bar: Just when you are typing, Google suggests the URLs popular or date and other relevant Keywords. Something we saw in the new Version of the Opera Browser.

- Instant bookmarking - just press the star button and you are done.
- No sharing info mode: Something that Google calls the "Incognito Mode" where the page would work in the same way but nothing from the session would be stored by Chrome. (I take back the breach of privacy statement :))

- Other standard features like - Phishing control, safe browsing, instant download bar (no extra download window- just icon at bottom)

Google recently stopped the Browser Sync extension on Firefox - where users could have copy of their bookmarks and browser settings on Google servers .. I wonder if Chrome has anything to do with it. Hmmmm...

Anyways download your copy of Chrome and learn more.... I'll keep updating with new discoveries or enhancements in near future

3 Smart phone shootout

2007-11-04T10:31:00.000+05:30

Since my friend was looking for a smart phone and I sent him my views.. I thought I might just post some reviews on the blog.. These are three phones which have basic and advanced smart phone features.. all targeted towards different audience... I just came across these three phones recently so.. there we are lemme tell you a litlle bit about it in the time i got to use them...

Motorokr (Multimedia entertainment kinda phone)
Features:
Premium entertainment PDA
• 2-megapixel CMOS camera with 8x digital zoom
• QVGA video capture for up to five hours
• Integrated MP3 player with dedicated music keys and built-in FM radio
• PDA featuring Business Card Reader, POP3 e-mail¹, document viewer to view Microsoft Word, Excel, etc., PIM
• Connectivity includes integrated stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology³, HTML browser, hi-speed USB 2.0 EMU, 3.5 millimeter stereo jack
• Removable memory card slot, up to 2GB full SD card support;

What I like: There are 2 versions available one with the bloototh headset and one without it with difference of 2000 Rs between them.. but go for the one with headset.. Also there one without the touch screen (PDA)

Best music phone from Moto.. great interfaces and camera as well as music.. slim and sleek.. so not to heavy in our pockets... still manages to be a manly one.. not sissy slim

Possible Downside: No EDGe and no Wi Fi... for a PDA type phone Wi fi is must...Since it promises to be a decent business phone as well.

Price: 15000

Nokia 6300 (simple middle of both segments phone)
I know it may not be fit for smart phone as per the latest definition.. But simplicity still rules for me
Features:
# attractive yet conservative design
# 2 megapixel camera
# microSD memory card slot
# FM radio
# standard miniUSB connector
# 2.5 mm audio jack
# Bluetooth with A2DP profile support

Possible Downside:
Could be that we do not like slim ones in our hand (atleast I don't) may be considered sissy by some..
Also unsatisfactory camera performance, videos taken at QCIF (176 x 144 pixels) resolution only, side keys are difficult to press, no Infrared port

Bottomline
Not the best smart phone in the market.. but its like thge best non-jazzy no-nonsense phone with the basic features built in and light... Its for you and me and people like us who want their phones to be phones and cameras to be separate and music players to be separately that...

PRICE: 10000-11000

HTC touch (Business Phone and more)
Features: PDA, has everything that a phone can have. Business phone like -Windoes IE, Outlook, MSN Instant Messenger, Windows Live, Windows Media Player 10, Solitaire, Bubble Breaker (game), Voice Recorder as well as handwriting recognition and MS' standard on-screen keyboard...blah blah.. has wi fi connectivity which is great and also the camera is not too bad either. Abhi I asked in market theres another less costly version (at about 14 K) available

What I like:
Light and small... also multimedia playback is very good through the included wired stereo headset and through stereo Bluetooth headphones. Very good battery life by Windows Mobile Professional standards. Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi

Possible Downside:
I'm not a touch screen person so I find it cumbersome...
Windows tend to be sluggish and unresponsive like on our desktops. Touch interface doesn't extend far, no 3G, have to remove battery cover to access the MicroSD card slot.

PRICE: 20,000 (wo ho.. thats something)

Thought for lunch

2007-11-03T10:28:00.000+05:30

Just something I made up

Working in office is like a Tennis match: until the score is love all.. all love you.... When its not, they try and throw the ball in your court. :)

PR.. Is it update time?

2007-08-07T13:32:00.000+05:30

It seems that the Google PR update is going on. We have been noticing the dropping and updating of some website’s page ranks in the last couple of days. Also the number of backlinks have been showing a change on different data centers from the last week of July.

These are signs of an update. My guess is that Page rank is being updated by google and well there’s no rocket science there as it was expected to be around this time.. Keep an eye on the Big G.

Check out some tools to help the cause:
http://www.pageranktool.net/
http://www.mcdar.net/q-check/datatool.asp

Tabs with Special effects.. Jazz it up

2007-04-08T14:49:00.000+05:30

I came across this really cool extension with firefox which adds some special when we switch from one tab to the other within a firefox window.

Its more of an eye candy really than being a useful one.. But sometime an eye candy is what you need if you are sitting in front of the browser all day long.. (and even nights).... This would be great for people who love the rotating thumbnail view in Linux Fedora Core 6 (an old feature in this OS) and the hyped (actually a damp squib) Windows Vista....

Check this extension Tab Effect and enjoy the effective browsing

PR update happening in April 2007?

2007-04-05T12:17:00.001+05:30

I have been noticing the dropping and updating of some website's page ranks in the last week. Also the number of backlinks have been showing a change on different data centers from the last week of March. These are signs of an update. My guess is that Page rank is being updated by google and its according to the anticipated date by a lot of people. April's the month for changes I guess..

So after the Jan update, the signs are of an April PR update.. which might stabilize over the next two weeks... Keep an Eye

For those wondering what a Google PR is, Read this

Matt Cutts cut to size.. Hacked or Fooled

2007-04-02T14:59:00.000+05:30

Google's most "Vocal" engineer and contributer to the algorithms Matt Cutts' blog has been hacked by the Dark SEO team, the self professed "Jehadis" of Search Engines

Have a look http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/

But hey is that an April Fool piece like google's tradition of april fool jokes?? (like TiSP and Google paper in 2007) .. I wonder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google 's_hoaxes

Messy thought for food

2007-03-15T21:31:00.000+05:30

They call my desk the messiest area of the office.... read this and say what..

If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?

Firefox 2.0 out in the open - Review time

2006-10-28T14:06:00.000+05:30

Well Firefox 2.0 is out and its review time over a cuppa cofee

Its more robust looking and yet sleeker.. Its supposed to be more secure and enhanced.. Firefox calls it Phishing Protection where they compare their existing list of reported phishing sites (who lure you into giving sensitive personal information) which may be a great thing but since security is not “visible” so cant really comment on that. But the security console seems pretty neat with anti phishing sites option

The tabs are better looking and has got a close button right on the tab (like tab mix plus extension and of course Opera) Also for people who work with large number of tabs in the same window, there are arrows on the left and right side of the tab strip that let them scroll back and forth between their tabs... Also It has recently closed tab button in the history.. But why would anyone use history option... It would have made more sense if this was a button right on the tab bar

It has a inline spell checker in case you are filling some form which is a good feature

Right now the extensions are not compatible with the new version (and understandably so).. it was a little empty feeling for me.. I guess the extensions should also have been updated ...

One good feature is that the search boxes at top right are visually more appealing A new search engine manager makes it easier to add, remove and re-order search engines. It also comes with an awesome suggestion feature.. you type in a letter and its hows suggested words (ala Google suggest) along with you search history keywords which is a welsome step towards usability

Is it faster than the last version?... I don't think so... Opera is still much faster as far as page load time is concerned.. Firefox 1.5.0.7 was as fast as this one so no real additions here

Another thing that I noticed, As soon as I open Gmail or yahoo mail (any secure page) it me the authentication information like “authenticated by”. Well i don't know how useful that would be

Bottomline
It looks sleeker and a little enhanced in security but overall no striking change in usability or an outright enhancement. So a little bit of disappointment and kinda damp squib this release..

So looking forward to next version 3.0 code-named "Gran Paradiso”

PS: I'm still a firefox loyalist thought :-) thats why I'm more disappointed

Chai with Opera

2006-10-28T10:57:00.000+05:30

Opera India is organizing an informal discussion session in Chandigarh. Its going to be discussing practical issues/ problems/ tips regarding web technologies. Its for everyone involved with the web whether you are a developer, designer or an avid Internet user or enthusiast, you can be a part of the meetup. You can find the details at - my.opera.com/operaindia

I think it'll be great for every Internet enthusiast around chandigarh to join in voice in your opinion.. I'm surely going to do just that..

Date: 29 October
Time: 11 AM (IST)
Venue: The Piccadily, Sector 22B Chandigarh

See ya there

Hooked on to Opera

2006-10-22T18:20:00.000+05:30

Well... my friend insisted that I use Opera after seeing my blog full of Firefox Extensions. I did just that.. though most of the stuff is heard of and is similar to the extensions... but hey its sleeker and all features like "session manager" CSS viewers and quick note come as a "Standard Fitment" in Opera. They started the Tabbed Browsing concept anyways..

All I'll say is I'm mighty impressed.. Its the most user friendly browsers of them all. The popularity is amazing as Opera became FREE just an year ago. I'm so hooked on to mouse gestures that it seems that I cant use browsers without it. I think opera has also done a "Usability Study" for browsers coz only then would some body take care of small details like a recycle bin for accidentally closed tabs or Email client configuration within browser (the cherry on the cake) and having prefilled values for all popular POP mail services.

These are the things that an everyday user would crave for while using any kind of service or softwares or applications... One does need to get used to the Keyboard Shortcuts.. since u are using different ones in Firefox.. But from features like the "real" mouse gestures (not a fad extension), inbuilt mail client to drag and drop features to Trash Can.. thumbnail view of tabs without opening them... all is great about the browser.

The only thing that I didnt quite like are the Widgets.. they are just so bugging.. opening new windows if I enable them.. they are almost like parallel applications.. so not "opera"like... a real pain in the @&*

Being a Firefox loyalist I miss some of the extensions and maybe I have got used to it.. But I think if Opera incorporate some kinda extensions in Opera.. that would pack a KILLER punch for all of em.... Currently I would call Opera the most user friendly browser..

Just download it and get going

Cheers!!

The most useful extension ever (well atleast for me)

2006-09-05T10:24:00.000+05:30

If you are one of browsing mortals on whom internet god shines all the time and who keep landing on cool and informative pages.... and hey u dont wannna lose them... well what do we do? We bookmark them (a complete no brainer!!) and also want tu use them from my home pc, my office pc, cafe.... etc etc

This extension called Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer... which uploads ur bookmarks on a live server and anytime you open ur browser it automatically syncs your bookmark files with server and in case there are extra bookmerks on local pc then it gives you an option of :

Keeping the local ones
Overwite with the server saved ones
OR keep both!! (5 stars for usability)

I found it simpler and more user friendly than the Google browser sync.. well people would beg to differ...

But theres only one way to find out... Just download it and temme...

Cheers!!

Check out Google Checkout [wow thats sounding rhyming]

2006-08-02T21:44:00.001+05:30

Well theres been a lot of talk about Google checkout that it'll check mate Papal and and shopping carts n all.... So I thought let me dive in and test the waters myself....

I ain't no expert on payment platforms anyways but since I have donned that Hat.. so what the heck..

Anyways its a neat move by google to capture shopping markets. Paypal now got a big rival one that doesnt really have nothing to loose (well maybe some reputation), but for me google has more change to succed and climb higher than paypal becuase of their investment on this type of systems. Google has alot of money to spend and he is not afraid to do that.

Anyways I thought the best way to write about it is with analysis kinda thingie since I'm a marketing/ web Business analyst :-]

Info/ Pros

Google checkout seems to be just like paypal, they had said they will use his platform as a base for their program. Its just that if you have checked in once, then its more user friendly and less forms. This calls for better usability which is their USP.
So far, it looks like this: Your uses add items to your cart and when they are ready to check out, they are taken to google to fill out their credit card info.
I'm wondering if google has a way to register with google checkout on your own site and process it all server-to-server (php curl, specifically), like my current method of processing credit cards (authorize.net).
For those who don't have any shopping cart, you can integrate with Google Checkout using “Buy Now” buttons. Simply add our HTML code to your website to display these buttons near the products you're selling. Buyers who click these buttons will be brought to a secure Google Checkout page where they can complete their purchase.
Problem with paypal was that we need to have analytics to track sales and conversions based on payment methods. Using checkout and our adwords account we could track what keywords=google checkout conversions
If you spend enough on adwords then we could get almost all of our google checkout revenue processed for free. Thats a big incentive compared to paying 2-3% for major credit cards. 3% on $300k is a nice handful of money that would end up in our pockets
Google Checkout has been designed to simplify and streamline business-to-consumer e-commerce transactions by letting buyers store their purchasing information with Google. That way, users can store contact details, payment preferences and shipping information once, instead of having to enter that information separately with multiple merchants.

Cons

For the first time a google product came without a beta version. Thats scary enough for my money to be thrown into an un-tested payment system.
On another point, Google Checkout is pretty bad at this time. They do not support any realtime shipping rates, no shipping API rates, no coupons, no gift certificates, nor any tax rates you have setup in your regular e-commerce platform.
The problem with implementing Google Checkout on a complex site is meshing their API with your site (only if you want a shopping cart). For instance, the buyer is checking out with Google Checkout and changes the shipping address to a new address. Your site has to get the new address from Google checkout, query UPS (if that's how you get your shipping charges) for updated shipping charges, update the cart on your site, then send the new cart data back to Google checkout - all on the fly. Think that's easy? no!
A simple “buy now” button can be incorporated by using the simple cut and paste HTML on every product page and but telling the customer that they can buy only a single product using with Google checkout would sound stupid if we are a multiple product ecommerce site.
Among the problems already mentioned with integrating it with your existing cart software, it doesn't handle phone orders. If you have a significant percentage of shoppers who will not enter any info online and prefer to call in an order, then there is no way.

Bottomline:
One angle is that- All big stores will make themselves compliant for sure then why miss out. Also, The simple “Buy Now” button can be used by pasting simple HTML on the site Where we dont need shopping carts But...

Google checkout has a long way to go. Right now there are too many doubts. If Google can match paypal and better it, then bang on they deserve to overthrow the current standard of Payment Checkout, and I've no doubt they will. Though it sounds much user friendly and supposedly much “safer”, right now I would actually wait a couple of months to take a call on it before referring it to anyone

Click frauds- Does google really care

2006-07-26T10:32:00.000+05:30

If you think that Google is sweating it out to avoid click frauds.... Think again..

Watch the video and let the video do the talking..

Paypal Extension - a real pal for managers

2006-06-29T22:46:00.000+05:30

Checkout this extension paypal... mozilla is getting real paly with us..

For all of you in ecommerce or online businesses.. this is your real friend.. a paypal xtension

The PayPal Send Money extension provides a quick way to send money to anyone with an email address. Enter the recipient's email address and the extension opens a quick link to PayPal's Website Payments Standard checkout page so you can log in and make a quick payment to a friend.

When sending money to a friend's Personal Account, use your PayPal funds or a bank account and avoid any fees.

Download by clicking here https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1538/

Wish we had these.....

2006-04-16T18:32:00.001+05:30

Wish we had these cool enhancements in office :-)

Digital Bible!!… Holy $@&%

2006-04-16T16:49:00.000+05:30

Would you like to carry the Holy Bible in your pocket? I think some people already do….. :-)

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came across this remarkable USB Holy Bible.

The complete Bible is contained in a fixed memory test file format that you can easily access through your computer or laptop's USB port. Small enough to put on your key chain, the USB Holy Bible has a highly detailed leather look with gold lettering to make it an attractive and meaningful piece to carry with you.

It plugs into any Windows PC USB port (not Mac or Windows 98 compatible) and displays all 66 books of the Bible on your computer screen. There's even a search function, making this a unique gift or keepsake.

The digital bible costs $29.95 (£17.19) (wo ho… they say prayers are priceless)

I think a lot of eyebrows might be raised by the religious fanatics (but isnt’t that their job :-))

Who said Technology has no religion … huh

No longer temporary guys..... Looking back

2006-03-15T23:38:00.000+05:30

My notepad… pencils and a cuppa coffee (I love the mug with RA inscription) and excel sheets (not shown :-)) are my best friends in office.

I’ve completed six months at RedAlkemi on 12^th march (incidentally Pawan’s birthday too)….. I’m a RedAlkemi graduate now…...Alright!!! Hooray

Realkemi has given me a great start to my career… the best part was to start your working life with friends and that too friends like Amandeep.... (I don’t know if I can thank you enough Sandhu).... And Pancham actually polished me to some extent.. and gave me someone I can look up to and say.. that’s how we should do it…

Well guys I getting a little emotional now… I guess

But a great time nonetheless.. And Cheers to even better time ahead….

I have to say this yar

“Life mein maza a gaya yar… (Pancham’s influence)
Bharat mat ki jai…. ki jai…… ki jai”

CSS viewer for firefox

2006-03-13T22:07:00.000+05:30

Another good tool for testers. This CSS viewer extension for firefox displays the CSS information for the elements of that webpage. Just move your mouse over the content and images a CSS display box shows all information

You can download the extension at CSS viewer

Tab Mix Extension for firefox

2006-03-08T21:13:00.000+05:30

Are you one of those so used to tabbed browsing courtesy firefox (I am!!). And If the browser crashes on you while you were in the middle of a research on your assignment with the deadline for that very day -Fucked!! I have a solution to that.... (I'm almost sounding like a firefox
salesman right now :-0)

This extension Tab Mix Plus enhances tabbed browsing capabilities like tab focus, duplication...... bla blah ...... The best feature according to me is the Session Manager with crash recovery that can save and restore combinations of opened tabs and windows (Koolio)

Just check it out HERE

Extensions Galore..... One for Programmers

2006-03-08T21:01:00.000+05:30

This extension by firefox makes developers and programmers life so much easier. They can check for their HTML code and debug it there and then.

Since I keep working with programmers all the time, I have to admit this is one of the most useful firefox extension in a long time. I got hold of it a little later in the day though (It was released in February 2006) but then as long as it still works for me :-)

Simply click the following link to download it and get going HTML Validator

Gmail skins for firefox

2006-03-05T16:58:00.001+05:30

For all you gmail lovers…. This Firefox extension will make your gmail life more jazzy than before.

It adds the following features:

· Change the colour/skin of your inbox (I’m not too sure you wannna do that)

· Insert smileys/emoticons and images in to your emails

· Make the navigation (Inbox, Starred, Sent Mail, etc) horizontal

· Fix the navigation in place so that you don't have to scroll to the top of the page to see it

· Change the attachment paperclip (on inbox) to an icon indicating the type of attachment

· Hide various page elements (invite panel, page footer, your email address from the top right of inbox)

you can install it with your browser by simply clicking the followink link Gmail Skins

Whois Plugin for Firefox

2006-03-03T15:26:00.000+05:30

Check out the new Active Whois plugin for firefox. It lets you get all Kinds of Whois Info - DNS record, Domain Owner and IP Address.

So whats different from the other whois tools existing for ages (I mean 3-4 years).

One , it is integrated within your browser

Two, it also installs a whois application on your system. So you can simpley check it by opening the application (without the browser)

Three, It keeps the record of the whois that you have already checked. I'm not sure how big the storage is, but I'm guessing enough to check all whois in a session.

Visit the link to download it Active Whois Plugin

Google's own Paintbrush

2006-02-27T11:53:00.000+05:30

Check out this new tool by Google- “Google Page Creator”. It lets you create web pages and publish them in a single click (could it be that easy!!).

Its in testing phase though(like most google products :-) )

Find out more about the page creator on http://pages.google.com/-/about.html

It might just be the first brick laid towards “Google website Creator” eventually. Like 10 hz rightly asked “Is google taking over the world”

Google Analytics - A Gift for Small and Medium online Businesses

2006-01-16T15:46:00.000+05:30

Google has shaken up yet another industry and in the process given a great tool to Small and Medium online Businesses. The release of Google Analytics brings the power of web analytics to a whole new segment of online business and has the potential to reshape many websites out there in the near future. While high demand has forced Google to temporarily suspend new accounts on the service they have promised it will open to new users again soon.

Web analytics are essentially statistics that show who your visitors are and how they are using your website. Such information is as good as gold for an online marketer and no company large or small should be ignoring what visitors are doing on their websites.

While web analytics were once the domain of webmasters and Internet marketing gurus Google has opened web analytics to the masses with the release of Google Analytics.
In March 2005 Google bought Urchin, one of the most well known web analytics tools at the time. After months of industry speculation Google released a Google Analytics tool based on Urchin technology. The tool is free for Google adwords users and capped at five million page views a month for anyone with a Google account. We should never again hear that it’s too expensive or too difficult to track and consistently review web statistics.

So what can a small business do with all this new website data that is free for the taking? While there is a wealth of information collected by Google Analytics, below I’ll talk about the basics that most website owners can understand and easily use to improve their websites.

1. Where is your site traffic coming from?
Knowing where your website traffic is coming from is key in knowing if you are reaching the target audience you thought you were. All analytics programs including Google Analytics have information on the origin of your website traffic. Google Analytics will give you information on the country and city that your visitors are from and where on the Internet they are coming from, whether it is paid listings, certain keywords in search engines or other links.

With this information you can see if visitors to your site are from the geographic and internet regions that you target and if visitors are finding you through the keywords and Internet links you expect. I warn you before regularly checking on the origins of your traffic that the results may surprise you.

2. What was a visitor’s path on the site and how long did they stay?
Knowing how a visitor moves on your site is as good as opening up their mind to see how they think and react to your website. Most analytics programs including Google Analytics track information on entry pages to your site, the path visitors follow on the site, the exit page from the site and the length of time visitors stay on each page. With this information you can see where potential customers are being lost and if visitors are seeing the information they need to in order to convert them into customers.

For example, after analyzing your web analytics information you may realize that most of your site traffic from search engines is ending up at the articles section of the page without going through the homepage. If this were the case, your web analytics data is telling you to make sure that the articles section of your site includes prominent navigation to the rest of the site. It also suggests that your articles section may be a very good place to showcase special offers and strong calls to action.

3. What works on your web page?
Having accurate and detailed web statistics for your site allows you to do testing to see what can make your website work better and generate more revenue. Google Analytics shines here with an arsenal of comparison statistics for websites and Adwords campaigns. Google Analytics has features that allow you to do ad version testing and time series testing.

For example, if you have always had a gut feeling that your products would sell better if you changed your navigation layout you can try it for a month and judge by your web statistics which design worked better at keeping visitors on the site and converting them into customers.

Google Analytics provides a powerful free tool for small and medium on line businesses. While privacy of information is a concern, the power of Google Analytics as a free tool outweighs the potential privacy issues and as Google has pointed out, companies are already giving the same information to other analytics providers. So enjoy your new information but remember web analytics are addictive and you may find yourself checking your stats every night from now on.

With contributions from Nicholas