Google Analytics Registration Goal Plugin

Google Analytics Registration Goal Plugin
This plugin adds unique page names to the steps of the registration process so you can track registration as a Goal utilizing Google Analytics.

History
Jan 29, 2006
-- v1.0.1 Beta 2 Release. Removes duplicate goal URL and updates step counts.

Jan 28, 2006
-- v1.0.1 Beta 1 Release. Adds modifications for COPPA and Deny registration for users under 13

Nov 27, 2005
-- Initial Beta Release

Requirements
You must have a Google Analytics account

This does not work if you have turned on URL rewrites via .htaccess with programs such as subdreamer and vb seo.

If you use this plugin, click Install

[the Sandman]

Good deal. I'll be happy to try it out for you and let you know how it works.

Thanks for the lightning quick reply!

[Jacqueline]

Thanks, Sandman. I believe the updated version will work fine for your settings. Check the install.txt and look for the line you'll need to add at Google. I believe you can just import the product on top of the current one. Let me know if you have any trouble with it.

[the Sandman]

OK, I've updated the plugin and made the changes to my Google Analytic goal tracker. I'll let you know how it works when my stats update.

Small error in the installation text wording - the COPPA instructions have 5 or 6 steps, not 4 or 5.

[the Sandman]

Another question -

Are you sure that the last step we enter in the "Define Funnel" section should be the same as our goal entered in the step above that? The goal URL is already listed at the bottom of the funnel in the Define Funnel section. :ermm:

[kall]

Originally Posted by Elleth Faewen

Hi, Sandman.
Yes, coppa can require an extra step. There is a hook for the coppa form in the registration system. I currently have that hook there but disabled. I need someone using Coppa to test it, but have not had anyone with coppa turned on to test it yet.

It sounds like yours is different, though, having the first registration page be the date of birth. I will go take a look at adding this in.

Ah-ha! So that would explain why this never worked for me!

[Jacqueline]

Originally Posted by the Sandman

OK, I've updated the plugin and made the changes to my Google Analytic goal tracker. I'll let you know how it works when my stats update.

Small error in the installation text wording - the COPPA instructions have 5 or 6 steps, not 4 or 5.

Thanks. I'll fix that after I hear back from you. I hope the update went well.

Originally Posted by the Sandman

Another question -

Are you sure that the last step we enter in the "Define Funnel" section should be the same as our goal entered in the step above that? The goal URL is already listed at the bottom of the funnel in the Define Funnel section. :ermm:

Sandman, Yes, it is needed in both places for full info.
The goal URL and the funnel are actually two different things. The goal URL is used for your goal conversion stats and is required. The funnel is optional and lets you see how many come into the funnel, where they leave from the funnel, and where they go to when they leave. If you do not have the goal URL in your funnel, you will not see how many made it to the end in your report.

Originally Posted by Kall

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elleth Faewen
Hi, Sandman.
Yes, coppa can require an extra step. There is a hook for the coppa form in the registration system. I currently have that hook there but disabled. I need someone using Coppa to test it, but have not had anyone with coppa turned on to test it yet.

It sounds like yours is different, though, having the first registration page be the date of birth. I will go take a look at adding this in.



Ah-ha! So that would explain why this never worked for me!

Actually, you should still see results with this regardless of your COPPA setting. The main difference being you miss an entry page in your funnel. The rest should still show up.
I am afraid that it is VB SEO. I did some checking at their forum to see if I could tell what might be happening. VB SEO is actually rewriting the URLs, so that could easily be causing the problem. Google is also looking for a URL rewrite, and either it is getting confused between the two, or perhaps the .htaccess changes for VB SEO is preventing Google's script from running.
I also saw that VB SEO has an option to turn on the basic google script for each page. That could conflict if you followed step #2 of the instructions, which is basically doing the same thing.

2. Add your Google Analytics code to the end of your head include template.
Replace the X's with the proper code for your account. "UA-xxxxxx-x"; To get your full code,
sign in to your Google Analytics account and click on "Check Status" for your domain.
Example screenshot: http://www.webadzone.com/images/headincludescript.gif

That's what I've found so far. Check your VB SEO settings and see if you turned on Google Analytics code. If you did, then remove the entry from #2 of my instructions and see if that makes a difference.

[the Sandman]

The upgrade went fine.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the final step in the funnel being the same as the goal.

One problem though - it keeps showing that the number of members who get to the second to last step, the member added step (Awaiting Email Activation) is equal to the number who make it to the final step (and goal) - activation. This is not the case.

[Jacqueline]

Originally Posted by the Sandman

Another question -

Are you sure that the last step we enter in the "Define Funnel" section should be the same as our goal entered in the step above that? The goal URL is already listed at the bottom of the funnel in the Define Funnel section. :ermm:

I just reread your question and see what you are talking about, the goal URL below the 10 steps. I put it in there based on Google's instructions, which are a little vague. It may work without the goal URL in the steps. If you try it, let me know how it works for you.

Here's the pertinent step from Google:
Continue entering goal steps until your funnel has been completely defined. You may enter up to 10 steps, or as few as a single step

It depends on what they mean by 'completely defined'

[the Sandman]

Originally Posted by Elleth Faewen

I just reread your question and see what you are talking about, the goal URL below the 10 steps. I put it in there based on Google's instructions, which are a little vague. It may work without the goal URL in the steps. If you try it, let me know how it works for you.

Here's the pertinent step from Google:
Continue entering goal steps until your funnel has been completely defined. You may enter up to 10 steps, or as few as a single step

It depends on what they mean by 'completely defined'

LOL - I've tried both ways several times and it appears that you should not add the goal URL to the funnel definition - just let GA add it automatically.

I think that you might have put in one too many steps - I think the Register Form step might be redundant and cause the rest of the funnel to be off. I'm testing that now - unfortunately I have to wait for the stats to update and I'm not particularly patient...

[Jacqueline]

Originally Posted by the Sandman

The upgrade went fine.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the final step in the funnel being the same as the goal.

One problem though - it keeps showing that the number of members who get to the second to last step, the member added step (Awaiting Email Activation) is equal to the number who make it to the final step (and goal) - activation. This is not the case.

Final Account Activation and Registration are the same on mine, but not Awaiting Email Activation. It looks like you are correct about not needing the last step. I will test on mine and update as soon as I have results.

Thanks for spotting it!