Setting up Filters and Profiles in Google Analytics

Filters and Profiles in Google Analytics

After finishing an awesome Google Analytics course I feel refreshed, energized and have a whole new outlook on the way a website owner deals with visitors. Unfortunately not many webmasters are taking advantage of the tools offered to get well acquainted with your visitors. For the elite few that are taking full advantage of Web Analytics you have my thumbs up. As far as I am concerned Analytics are the most important part of relationship building and learning more about the people that come to your site.

I have admittedly been using Analytics for about 6 months now but NOT been utilizing the data effectively. Now I have the ability to take action based on a clear understanding of what my visitors are doing and want from my website.

Google Analytics is a very powerful and effective way to give each visitor an identity, especially the ones that complete a goal. Before we get too far into this let’s back up a bit. Before we set goals we should really make sure that filters have been set. Even the simplest of filters can make a big difference. For example “blocking IP addresses”. There are certain IP addresses that we know should not be in the reports.

Typically they include:

The web design firm
The Client (owner of the site)
Any consulting firm involved with development, construction and analysing statistics

How to Set up a Filter to Block an IP Address

First, figure out your own IP address
The easiest way to do this is go to a website like Whatsmyip.com, where you will see a huge number at the top of the webpage displaying your IP address.
Make a copy of this (cntrl c)
Go to Filter Manager> Add Filter
Paste this into the first so it can be entered in the “filter manager”.
Name your filter so you, or anyone else can identify what it is
Select from the pull-down menu “exclude all traffic from an IP address”
Paste in the IP address. Note: use the “\” expression in front of the “.”. Example 63\.212\.171
Click Finish

Secrets on How to Set Up Profiles

1) Using the pull-down menu in the upper right hand side “Create New Account”. Follow the easy steps.

2) After the account is created go to “Add Website Profile”

Add Website Profile

3) Fill in Appropriate Data: “Add a Profile for an existing domain”, “Select Domain”, “Profile Name”. The purpose of this is to make 2 accounts. 1 will serve as a playground (test area) and the other will serve as real data.

Add a Profile for an existing domain

The purpose of doing this is to create an account profile that you can practice with. Fearlessly approach any new filter you want to start using, from filters to custom filters (using common expressions). Once you have tested your new implementation and made 100% sure it is performing perfectly you can copy it into the "real profile in 1 click!

Secrets on Migrating “Test” Filter Settings to “Real” Settings:

Now that you have road tested your new “test” settings and have made 100% sure that they are working properly, it’s time to migrate them to your “real” profile.

1) Login to your “Real” profile