Don’t Forget To Filter Out Your Remote Work IP Addresses From Google Analytics

Thanks to fellow ArtsHacker Ceci Dadisman for putting a bug in my ear about reminding everyone who manages a Google Analytics (GA) account to add all of the remote and work from home IP addresses to your GA filters. Regular readers know how important it is to filter out your own visits from GA’s data (details), but the onset of remote working means you have a bunch of new IP Addresses to collect from colleagues scattered across one or more internet connections each. To keep thing manageable, you should only be concerned … Read more

An Updated And Expanded Must-Have Google Analytics Settings Deck

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of running a workshop on Must-Have Google Analytics Settings for the League of Chicago Theatres. The 90 minute session included an updated and expanded version of the Click. Click. Done. session that’s been a hit at several nonprofit arts admin conferences over the past several years. I want to extend my thanks to the League’s Director of Member Services, Ben Thiem, for organizing everything and to all of the their members who took time after work hours to attend. And since ArtsHacker is all about … Read more

Add Context To Your Google Analytics Data Using Annotations

One of the best kept secrets in Google Analytics hiding in plain sight are annotations, which are little notes you can add to the timeline. Think of it like a 160-character max digital sticky note. Using them is very straightforward and they go a long way toward helping you keep track of variations in regular traffic patterns. Getting started is easy, just go to the Audience > Overview section of your Google Analytics admin panel. Select the down-arrow tab right below the timeline and an options panel will toggle open. Select the … Read more