The Numbers Just Don't Add Up

Here's a fabulous article on web statistic numbers! I have just begun realizing this myself - with 5 different analytics programs, I often get 5 completely different numbers!

How can that happen? Well, if you think about it, statistic programs are counted on to weed out spiders and crawlers (which are "finding" your site electronically - but are not real visitors) and they are trying to get rid of repeat visitors. So, the statistics can vary - a lot.

So, why are they still helpful. Look to them for trends - not the actual stats. I do tend to rely more on my web hosts actual "numbers" for visitors than I do Google analytics (mostly because the former is higher) but Google analytics makes it easier to look at and track trends.

I know it's frustrating, but the Internet is NOT a perfect place.