Web statistics are complicated. Some companies spend big bucks for sophisticated programs, analysis and training. This article is not about that. This is a discussion of the basic starting point for a small business or organization.

Where do you find Web stats? Most Web hosting companies have free Web analytic programs installed. To find them, check your account control panel – they are probably labeled as "Web stats" or "statistics.” (Or ask your Web designer!)

This is what to look for:

How many people are coming to your site? Look at Visitors and Unique Visitors. Don’t look at hits. If you have a hit counter, I beg you, get rid of it now! It is an unreliable measurement and looks amateurish.

What are they looking at? You should be able to see what pages are viewed and which are most popular. Are visitors moving around your Web site and viewing many pages? If you notice a large number of very short visits, it could mean visitors are not finding what they need on your site - viewing a single page and leaving.

Where did they come from? The Referrer report shows what links your visitors clicked to get to your site or which search engines are sending you traffic. Also in this section should be a listing of the search keywords and phrases that brought traffic to you. Review these search terms. Are they what you expected?

In addition, if the data on your site visits are broken down by year, month, week, day and hour, it can help you determine which marketing efforts are working for you - whether link exchanges, classified ads, posting articles, press releases or pay per click advertising - and which are wasting your time.

As you can see, there are many things web stats can tell you. Make it a habit to review your stats on a regular basis and use this information as a guide. I will be glad to go over your web stats with you. Just give me a call.

The end of the year is a good time to take a look at your web site to measure how it is working for you.

• Is your website delivering the results you expect?
• Is content up-to-date or do you need to freshen up the text and images?
• Have you added new products or services?
• Have you made changes in prices or shipping policies?
• What about hours, staff or contact information?

A web site – just like your business – must constantly evolve with experience and time to survive. It should be reviewed periodically - at least once a year – to see what is working and what isn’t, then adjust and “tweak” accordingly. This is different from just adding new content every month or so. This is about looking at the web site as a whole.

Some of my clients make it a point to schedule a web site “check-up” every year. I look forward to these visits - it is exciting to see how they are using their web sites and how it is paying off for them.

I am scheduling appointments for website reviews for the next three weeks. Call me at 716-434-3195 or e-mail me. You will get a professional review and a fresh perspective of your web presence. No obligation, no fee.

Why not make it your holiday gift to your business?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the Holiday season is upon us. Is it just me, or does it seem to come around faster each year?

It is easy to get stressed-out or overindulge during the holidays. Click on the video link below for some motivation to keep fit and healthy!

Annette Riley Web Design combines an art background and many years experience working in small business settings. My clients are small to medium size businesses, which I have watched grow and change over the years. Other clients, locally and around the country, have hired me to do updates and periodic maintenance on their web sites, even though I am not the original designer.

I enjoy helping other business owners grow their businesses. I measure my success by their successes.

You are good at your business. I am good at Web sites. Let’s put our talents together! Call or e- mail me so we can talk about your business and how I may be able to help you.