Item: Google Analytics 360
Rating: 10
Author: Salman Malik

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I have implemented Google Analytics Premium for a multitude of clients. I typically make this recommendation when trying to transition a client from an older tool like Webtrends or NetInsight. I have implemented it for medical sites, eCommerce sites, even insurance sites. Clients typically want something that is easy to use, GAP is just that. Once my implementation is complete, a client can easily and successfully navigate through all the custom reports and segments that were setup in order for them to get the most actionable information from their visit data.

Pros and Cons

Segmentation - It's very easy and intuitive to build segments and then apply them to reports. GAP makes it very intuitive to see data with segments, you can see the original data and the segmented data side by side without any extra steps.
Demographics Reporting - The reason why this is such a great feature is because it is utterly painless to implement and turn on in reporting. Once it's on, it runs like clockwork and reports on such insightful data.
Profile Administration - GAP, by far, does the best job in managing users accessing GA profiles. The UI is very clear and the customization capabilities go above and beyond other analytics vendors.

Profile Filters - These are not as intuitive as in other analytics tools. This could be developed further to make it clearer how its filtering visit data.
Reporting limitations - Reporting isn't as robust as other tools. GAP lacks pulling multiple metrics into a single report and being able to segment it any way you like. Among other reporting limitations.
eCommerce Tracking is really rigid - There is really only one way to implement eCommerce tracking and doesn't allow for any customizations. This is limiting.

Return on Investment

Positive Impact - Cleaner data lead to more confident decisions based on the data leading to a higher ROI.
Negative Impact - Not all features fleshed out, like in-page analytics, so have to use 3rd party tools like Crazy Egg. This adds to number of tags on page and level of complexity.

Alternatives Considered

Digital Analytix,Adobe Analytics

GAP is far more intuitive than any other analytics vendor, what it lacks in reporting robustness it makes up in usability. A very solid product, business and technical users both can get up and running on this tool in no time.

Likelihood to Renew

Once GAP is implemented properly, it runs like a well oiled machine. There isn't a lot of maintenance of the tool and your reports keep piping in trusted data. If enhancements are made to the tracking code, there are ways defined by GAP to ensure data consistency and accuracy. Overall, this tool will help anyone get up and running with accurate analytics data for a fraction of the cost.

Likelihood to Recommend

Great for almost any site, really. If you want to get up and running with data as quickly as possible, GAP is a solid way to go.

Usability

Google Analytics Premium has a very easy to use and intuitive User Interface. It's easy to find anything you are looking for and apply different segments to reports on the fly. This is very important especially if you are doing report comparisons. It's also an aesthetically pleasing design, making the general experience pleasant.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Demographics reporting
Segmentation
Custom Reporting

Difficult Tasks

In-page Analytics
Report/Profile Filtering

Google Analytics Premium - Oh yeah!

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Google Analytics Premium