New and Improved Google Analytics

Google rolled out another version of Google Analytics this week. Some nice new features and a few things I'm not to thrilled about.

Overall the new layout looks better, but I’m not sure it functions any better, probably worse. Getting to view specific traffic information or other things on the left sidebar takes an additional click the old version didn’t have. They made this stupid accordion navigation which is completely useless. They need to just remove it and just have the links. Honestly, I don’t know why they don’t throw half the stuff on the main page and let it scroll a little bit. Why do we have to click around to find the two or three things everyone looks at. Having to click Traffic > Overview and then Sources > Overview is way to many clicks. Just dump that information on the homepage, it is what the majority of users are looking for.

There is also a feature that integrates Google Webmaster into your Analytics. But for me it doesn’t seem to be working yet. Every time I try and hit “Set up Webmaster Tools data sharing” it says “Success” and then nothing happens. Annoying but I’m not going to get bent out of shape about a new feature still in beta not working.

Ok Rant Over

There is a nice new features called In-Page Analytics, which shows just what is being clicked on your pages and gives a percentage of total clicks so you can see just how many each link is getting. The photo below shows it in action.

And even cooler, if you are logged into analytics and visit your site, the In-page Analytics will be displayed on your webpage like so.

A cool little feature that I’m sure will greatly help in placing ads and content you really want to promote.

Some nice feature updates. An improved design look but the usability is worse off than before, at least in my opinion anyway. How has the new Google Analytics been treating you?