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Referrer logging is used to allow web servers and websites to identify where people are visiting them either for promotional or security purposes. You can find out which search engine they used to find your site and whether your customer has come from a 'linked site'. It is basically the URL of the previous webpage from which your link was followed.
By default, most hosting accounts don't include referrer logs but may be subscribed to
for an extra monthly fee. If your web host does not provide a graphic report of your log files, you
can still view the referrer logs for your website by logging into the host server using free or low-cost
FTP software, like these:
FTP Explorer: www.ftpx.com/
LogMeIn: secure.logmein.com/dmcq/103/support.asp
SmartFTP: www.smartftp.com/
FTP Voyager: www.ftpvoyager.com/
The log file is available on your web server which can be
downloaded to your computer. You can use a log analysis tool, like
those mentioned below, to create a graphic report from your log
files so that the files are easier to understand.
Abacre Advanced Log Analyzer www.abacre.com/ala/
Referrer Soft www.softplatz.com/software/referrer/
Log Analyzer www.loganalyzer.net
You can view the files using Word, Word Perfect, txt or WordPad files even if you don't have the right tool. This
information is very crucial to your business and marketing plans and is not advisable to neglect it.
In addition to identifying the search engine or linked site from where your visitor arrived, referrer logs can
also tell you what keywords or keyword phrases your client used for searching.
Google Analytics
Until recently there were a wide range of companies offering
differing quality services, with a premium usually required
for more in depth service. But then along came Google with "Google Analytics".
By simply adding a couple of lines of code to each page
of your site you get incredibly detailed information about visitors to your site -
what keywords they used, what pages they visited, how long they stayed on each page,
geographical information (including a great map of the world with blobs
for everywhere you've had visitors from) and absolutely loads more information.
Sign up free of charge at http://www.google.com/analytics/
Did you know you can also
? Google Pack provides a single installer for many essential PC applications
from Google and other trusted partners. These applications improve your browsing with
increased speed and security, provide better searching capability for
the web and for your own PC and enable you to collect and organise your
personal data, including photos.
Products in the pack include:
- Google Earth - 3D Earth browser - Zoom from space to street level — tour the world, find maps, driving directions, hotels, restaurants, and more
- Google Desktop - Desktop companion - Find all your email, files, web history, and more
- Picasa - Photo organizer
- Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer - Search toolbar
- Google Pack Screensaver - Photo screensaver
Additional Software Included
- Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar - Web browser
- Ad-Aware SE Personal - Antispyware utility
- Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition - Antivirus utility with 6-month subscription to protection updates
- Adobe Reader 7 - PDF reader
Optional Software
- Google Talk - Voice and IM application
- Google Video Player - Video player
- RealPlayer - Media player
- GalleryPlayer HD Images - High-quality artwork and photos
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