Respect the web analytics pioneer, Webtrends delivers!
May 15, 2014
Respect the web analytics pioneer, Webtrends delivers!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
multiple: from 1997-present
Modules Used
- SDC, Tag Builder, logfile analyzer, on premises
Overall Satisfaction with Webtrends Analytics
We used Webtrends On Premises with SDC and Tag Builder to analyze B2B, B2C and local government websites. Typically it is used by a several departments to determine the effectiveness of their outreach. It provides an alternative to 'free' web analytics tools and other paid hosted WA tools.
- Control privacy, data sharing and competitive industrial knowledge using Webtrends on premises
- Great control over custom reports, custom dimensions and metrics
- Flexible tool which allows multiple methods of data capture. To my knowledge it was the first tool with a Tag Builder / Tag Management function built in via a supporting website.
- Requires careful setup and planning during implementation
- If using web server logs, you're able to re-analyze historical data - but it takes time and careful planning/execution.
- It would be great to have a fully implemented public test profile to send potential clients to see all the product's features
- Wish it supported Microsoft HyperV virtualization. Last time I checked, only VMWare was supported for virtualization of on premises installations.
- Positive: internal user education and awareness improved once a complete implementation was done.
- Solved many site navigation mysteries.
- Reduced marketer's guesswork because real visitor data intelligence was gleaned from new reports/analysis.
- Adobe Analytics,Google Analytics
Webtrends as the pioneer WA tool from the early 90s stands tall among its competitors paid and free. Choose it when you need good product support from the vendor and you need flexibility for data collection methods.
Using Webtrends Analytics
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Public outreach
- Management
- Social media
2 - Server/hardware engineers for on-premises install/implementation
Software developer (javascript, html, jquery) for complete hosted or on-premises implementation and enhancements
Software developer (javascript, html, jquery) for complete hosted or on-premises implementation and enhancements
- Determine inbound traffic sources and keywords
- Determine customer path to desired information
- Determine website usage / validate outreach efforts
- Validate website availability around the clock from local and international traffic sources.
- Find and diagnose previously unrecognized website usability issues and underlying database/ERP flaws.
- Developed a lightweight non-Javascript hybrid method of website traffic and revenue analysis using WT on-premises product.
- Enhance data collection and reporting using custom reports, funnel analysis, content grouping features
Evaluating Webtrends Analytics and Competitors
Yes - An older, poorly configured Webtrends installation.
- Prior Experience with the Product
The client(s) had already committed to the product.
Ensure there is a real internal need for all the power Webtrends offers. Many installations may not need all its power and features nor have the resources to action upon insights gained.
Webtrends Analytics Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes -
- Planning, setup/installation, tagging, go-live, ongoing maintenance
- Study site structure and reporting needs.
- Determine hardware requirements and configuration, network visibility of collection server, analysis server, etc.
- tag website appropriately and test in a private environment if possible
- Launch/re-launch tagged website and begin analysis of data collected
- Refine tagging, data collection and report configuration as needed to correct errors, allow for new scenarios, etc.
Change management was a minor issue with the implementation - It can be tricky to ensure IT physically tags each and every page of the website to ensure tagging compliance/data quality. Recommend using "include" files, tag management tools, etc. to reduce how often active site code must be touched.
- Determining how to correct previous installation vendor's assumptions and errors
- Educating IT about the need to ensure good data quality
Webtrends Analytics Training
- Online training
- In-person training
- Self-taught
It is essential to do a test implementation after receiving training. You need this to validate your ideas and setup.
Configuring Webtrends Analytics
Careful planning and a test implementation to validate setup and ensure that resulting reports are what were expected.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface - It is possible to add company logos and to streamline (hide) access to certain functionality for less sophisticated users. It is possible to analyze multiple websites (profiles) if the correct licensing is purchased. Pay attention to page views when purchasing the license.
Yes - we have added extensive custom code - With careful setup on the website server-side code it was possible to build a fast, lightweight site analysis for hourly traffic and product revenue reporting.
Webtrends Analytics Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support cares about my success | None |
Yes - to guarantee that real help can be accessed in a timely manner
Yes - Back in the old days, yes there were many issues - handled one by one. But recent versions are robust and fast 'out of the box'.
When I needed to roll back an installation when we tried to install the product on an unsupported platform despite having better guidance. They got us back to a running solution in a very short time without belittling us.
Using Webtrends Analytics
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Easy to use Well integrated Quick to learn Feel confident using | Lots to learn |
- Custom product and campaign code lookups, query string substitution, custom reports
- Funnel / scenario analysis (if the funnel is well defined to begin with!)
- Data export (XLS, CSV)
- Technical expertise is required when implementing this product to the fullest extent of its capabilities. Don't be fooled by "pros" who have never implemented it before and don't underestimate implementation schedules, tagging requirements.
- Less technical users will need guidance from those well-versed in using the product reports interface
Relationship with Webtrends
It is possible to analyze multiple websites (profiles) if the correct licensing is purchased. Pay attention to total page views when purchasing the license. It can be costly and time-consuming to add additional page views to the on-premises version if you run out of page views.
Upgrading Webtrends Analytics
Yes -
Generally everything goes well with careful planning and execution. Contact support first if you need to upgrade across multiple versions (like jumping from v6 to v9).
Surprise... Don't try on-premises if you're not running real hardware or VMWare. HyperV is not supported unfortunately.
- To get to a supported version of the product running on supported hardware
- To get new features/functionality
- Faster analysis runs
- More sophisticated sementation without reanalysis
Yes - to get more reporting features, scenario analysis, custom reporting, ecommerce reporting
The change went well, but internal users needed training on the new reports.
The change went well, but internal users needed training on the new reports.
Yes - to gain access to new features, segementation capabilities, social media reporting, cross-device tracking