Every time someone visits your website information like their IP address, time and date of access and error messages are recorded into log files that are saved on your server's (i.e. your web host's) computer.

These files can be used to analyze your website traffic. By analyzing the eb and flow of visitors entering and browsing your website you can see the effects of your optimization efforts.

If your web host doesn't offer these log files, it is well worth it to switch to one that does.

The statistics generated by these log files are important tools for monitoring what your visitors do when they enter your website. Using the information gleaned from them you can track your website traffic and tailor your pages for maximum effect. Below is a checklist of what to look for when analyzing your website traffic.

Website Statistics and what they mean

Page views

A good measure of website activity, it is the number of HTML pages served. If your visitor goes to ten pages on your site, 10 page views will be generated. This gives a measure for your content. Generally, the more page views you receive the better the content.

Visits (unique visitors)

A trip to your site by one person, no matter how long they stay there or how many pages they view. If they leave and come back, another visit will be generated. Here is a measure of your web presence. It shows the amount of exposure your website is receiving from the web.

Most popular pages (top pages)

Tells you which pages your visitors request most. Helps you learn what works or what subject matter is generating the most interest! Be sure to note the content that is generating this interest and build upon it.

Average number of pages per visit

If this is low, you know your site sucks! A visitor should want to stay on your site for awhile and this equates to page views. You need to do some revisions if your page views are low (i.e. below 4-5 pages). But don't give up! Just keep working at it until that number goes up!

Referring pages (referring websites)

This is an important one because it tells you where your visitors link FROM, who has links to your site, and what search engines you're listed with properly. Here is where you can gain a great amount of insite into your audience. The who, what and where of your source of visitors.

Browsers used

Tells you what browsers people are using and helps you know how to design your web pages so that people can use them!

Implementing your website statistics

Once you understand what your visitors are doing you can make your changes, wait one week, and then analyze your website traffic again! Look for improved stats and make your plans accordingly. Understanding your visitors is the first step in becoming a good webmaster.