• We occasionally get asked for recommendations on books, blogs, and other resources for those who are new to web metrics and measurement. So, here is a round-up of Pure Visibility’s top five web analytics resources:
  • Best book for Web Analytics: Web Analytics: An Hour a Day by Avinash Kaushik.If you’ve dabbled at all in SEO, you may remember an SEO: An Hour a Day book. Well, the same publisher has contracted one of Google’s top web analytics minds, Avinash Kaushik, to write this similar guide on web analytics. It is introductory, but picking it up guarantees that you’ll be getting your introduction from the best, meaning no best practices left unmentioned.
  • Best blog for Web Analytics: If you like the book, another fantastic source from the same author is Avinash Kaushik’s blog, Occam’s Razor.

  This source is especially great for unpacking the oft-confusing definitions of web metrics. It is also a good place for those using Google Analytics, as Avinash is known to include detailed step-by-step introductions to the new features that Google introduces.

  • Best book for Website Optimization (SEO-focus): O’Reilly book Website Optimization.

  How does this pertain to Web Analytics? Well, in our estimation, it is virtually impossible to do any real good for your website through measurement without a sound understanding of Search Engine Optimization. The content in this guide, which covers everything from paid search to the more technical issues that can lead to problems with a site, definitely lives up to the high standards O’Reilly sets for its manuals.

  • Best book for Landing Page Optimization (testing): Landing Page Optimization by Tim Ash.

  Landing Page Optimization is the design and implementation of tests for landing pages in your website. By setting up well-planned and executed tests, you can quickly increase the ROI you are seeing for the site. This book is by an entrepreneur of one of the most advanced companies who specialize in large scale testing. It is detailed and well-written, and the discussions of various strategies remain focused on the ultimate objective, of increasing revenue.

  • Best Holistic Marketing Measurement Blog: Forrester Research’s Interactive Marketing Measurement Blog.Forrester is known for their excellent insight into the trends in marketing, online and off, through comprehensive research. This blog is a great resource for interactive marketing measurement, including larger trends like social media engagement measurement, and lead management, both of which tend to be entwined with our more traditional definitions of web analytics.

Got any more favorite resources for Web Analytics? Share them with us!

Tags: Google Analytics, Search Engine Marketing, SEO, Web Analytics Resources