Once your blog is set up, it's helpful to track your visitors — who's coming, from where are they coming, how many are coming, how long are they staying, which pages are they visiting, etc.
This information (called your "stats") is highly valuable and will help you maximize your blogging efforts. Not only will it provide you the opportunity to better connect with your visitors, this is information advertisers and potential advertisers will definitely want to know.
There are several stat tracking options but one of the most popular is Google Analytics. I personally use it (in addition to Stat Counter).
To be able to track your stats with Google Analytics you first need a Google Analytics account and then you need to install it on your blog.
How to Create a Google Analytics Account
- Go to Google Analytics.
- Either Sign In with your Google Account information — same as Gmail (here's how to get Gmail) — or Sign Up Now to get an account for free.
- Click Sign Up.
- Input your site's URL (and an Account Nickname if you'd like) and then Continue.
- Follow the prompts to enter your contact info.
- Agree to the Terms of Service (TOS) and click Create New Account.
- Click Save and Finish. (You can copy the code now if you'd like, but we'll get it again in a minute.)
How to Install Google Analytics on your Blog by Inserting Tracking Code
This method is my preferred and recommended method since it doesn't require a plugin (which draws on your site's resources). However, I understand many people are uncomfortable with handling the code, so another alternative would be to install the plugin (jump to below).
- Sign in to your Google Analytics account (if you aren't already).
- From your Overview page, find your blog's profile and click "Edit" (on the far right).
- Click "Check Status" located in the top right corner above the "Main Website Profile Information" box (click for larger view).
- Copy all the code you see in the "Paste this code on your site" box.
- Now return to your WordPress Dashboard and paste this code into your theme just above the </body> tag. How to do this depends on your theme. In Atahualpa, go to Appearance–>Atahualpa Theme Options–>Add HTML/CSS Inserts (under Various Content Items)–>Paste it in under HTML Inserts: Body Bottom. In other themes, you could paste it in your footer.php file (Appearance–>Editor–>footer.php–>Find the </body> tag at the bottom and paste the code in a spot just above). You might also put it in a footer widget (how to use widgets).
How to Install Google Analytics on your Blog via the Ultimate Google Analytics Plugin
- Sign in to your Google Analytics account (if you aren't already).
- From your Overview page, you'll notice a number like this UA-XXXXXXXX-X. Take note of that number.
- Install the Ultimate Google Analytics plugin from your Dashboard (Plugins–>Add New–>Search for "Ultimate Google Analytics"–>Install–>Activate). Here's how to install a plugin if you need help.
- Set your plugin options by going to Settings–>Ultimate GA.
- Put the UA-XXXXXXXX-X number from above in the Account ID field and click Update Options.
Once you've installed Google Analytics, you can check the status of your installation by logging in to your Google Analytics account and looking under "Status" in your Website Profile summary box. A green check mark indicates all is well. Data updates every 24 hours so you will have to wait that long to see your stats (click for a larger view).
How to View Your Stats
Simply go to your Overview page in Google Analytics, find your blog's profile on the list and click "View Report" in the "Reports" column.
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites in plain English. Want to 
Another great, helpful post!
Thanks!
Hey, I did the code route and after pasting the code, the status still says uninstalled.
So, now I took off the code and did the plug in route. It shows it is installed and activated on my site, but on my analytics pg, it is still not tracking. I followed all of the steps. It is giving me a message that it has to be added to every page. ???
It takes 24 hours to start seeing your stats so check back tomorrow and you should see something.
Not sure how, but I follow you on Twitter, and never subscribed to your site!! Just fixed that right now!! Hope you have a great rest of your Monday (btw, visiting from Real Life!) =)
If anyone's using Thesis – copy the code Amy describes and then head to Site Options on your Dashboard. Expand the "Stats/Software Tracking" option and paste it right there. Save. Viola! Pretty easy. Another "to-do" on my list checked off today. Thanks, Amy!!
Hi there! I am stopping over from Works for Me Wednesday. I enjoyed your post about Google Analytics. I have been trying to tweak my site lately and your blog is chock full of useful bloggy tips.
When you get a chance, stop by Free 2 Be Frugal.
Google Analytics offers some awesome ways to look at your visitors…nice detailed walk-through showing how to get this installed. Bookmarked it for future reference!
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks Amy, I always wondered how to do that!
Glad it helped!
Does this work on Blogger & can I just c&p the code into a html box on my main page? Thanks!
Hi Kristi, try this tutorial to install StatCounter on Blogger.
As far as Google Analytics, I believe you should be able to add it to a Blogger blog just as I described in How to Install Google Analytics.
I LOVE your site. It's so helpful! I'm completely technologically challenged, so your site has made my blog makeover MUCH easier.
However, I'm on blogger, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to make this work! I can't find the tag anywhere. I'm looking on the template though… should I install a whole new HTML gadget for it and just copy and paste the code?
Thanks!
I'm stuck! I've tried this via plug in a few times and its still not working. The box never turns to a green check mark just a caution yellow triangle. Any ideas? I've waited 24 hours and then tried re typing the UA code and updateing. Nothing. I'm not sure what to try now.
Love your site and all the helpful information you provide! Thank you so much.
Hi Amy,
Sorry it didn't work for ya! No worries, I'd just install a plugin at this point. Follow my instructions to add a plugin via your Dashboard. I recommend "Ultimate Google Analytics" or "Google Analytics for WordPress" when you do your search (Step 4 in the aforementioned post). Once the plugin is installed, you'll just add your UA code in Settings.
Hope that helps!
Hello Amy,
I just recently found your blog. It has been very helpful to me. I am completely new to the whole blogging world, and I'm learning as I go. I have a question about the Google Analytics. It says it's a free service, so what does it mean in the Terms of Agreement under 1. Definitions…."accounting"….it says something about charge to the service site?
Thanks for any help!
Thanks so much, Amy. I have the Atahualpa theme and this was very useful to a blogging newbie like me.
I'm recommending your site.
Hey amy , Michele recommended your site to me..and that is how i found you….and now I recommend you to others!!!
Thanks for all the helpful info! I'm trying to install on my wordpress theme (albeo) and having troubles. Does analytics only work with wordpress.ORG?
Hi Susan, Google Analytics unfortunately can't be used on WordPress.com blogs at this point. (See more info here.)
(I talked a bit about WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org here.)
Merry Christmas, Amy!
I just found something curious about Google Analytics. I had to reword all of my Feedburner install due to the feeds of subscribers not working. I think it was due to a problem w/ Feedsmith. Anyway, I had to redo the G Analytics install this morning and noticed that you recommend putting the code in the Body Bottom in Atahualpa, but GA recommends putting it in the header and their reasoning is that they say that you have a better chance of the tracking info getting read when someone is looking at the page rather than having it load at the bottom. I installed it where you said to, but am curious if I should change it to the header.
Wondering what you think about that?
Thanks!
- Adrienne
Hi Amy-
Your blog is so helpful. I was wondering is there a way to add a visitor counter to the atahualpa theme? I have feed burner so I can track in my dashboard, but would like something on my blog. Is that possible?
Renee
Yes, you can put a chicklet on your blog (such as in a widget in your sidebar). Simply login to your FeedBurner account, click on the "Publicize" tab and then select "FeedCount" from the left menu. Follow the instructions to create your chicklet and then paste the HTML code into your blog. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for your response. I got it working. You have a great talent for explaining things in a simple way that anyone could understand.
I do have a couple of questions.
1. I noticed a lot of people talking about launching their blog. What does a launch look like. I have my blog up while I am following your tips. Is that bad?
2. How do you get the background of your page to look like it does with the diamond links. I have seen this on several blogs but don't know how to do it.
Renee
1. Nope, you're good.
A "launch" looks different for everyone, but it basically means your blog is live and can be accessed by others. Wether it quietly slips into the blogosphere or begins with lots of fanfare (marketing, etc.), it's "launched" just the same. My blogs generally are up and running very quietly and are a constant work in progress.
2. The way it works is to use a small image which is tiled. In order to do it, you have to create an image. (Here's a fun site to do that.) Then upload your image to your server. Then specify in your CSS this: background:url(imageURLonYourServer);
Your theme might also have the option of putting in a background image easily (such as the TwentyTen theme which is your default WordPress theme. If you're using TwentyTen, you can find the place to upload your image directly from your Dashboard in your Appearance Settings.
Amy, you mention that you use Stat Counter in addition to Google Analytics. Do you recommend paying for their upgrade in order to increase the log size to 5,500? I am wondering if that is helpful information. I just hit the 500 mark a bit ago in the log.
Thanks again for being such a great resource!
Oh, and I did check on Akismet fees, which we emailed about earlier. They do charge now so I think Growmap is the way to go.
I keep only the free service with StatCounter. And yes, I've heard similar things about Akismet for new users.
Hi Amy,
I'm trying to install Google Analytics on my old personal Blogger blog so that I know how to use it before my friend and I launch our new one. When it says to paste the code immediately before the closing tag, what does this mean? I guess I need a dumbed-down version of where EXACTLY I'm supposed to paste this. Thanks for your help!
Desiré
I actually finally got it to work. Found this: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=20a407a0b05ffca6&hl=en. If you scroll down to the kevinlofgren response, he gives simple steps of how to make it work in Blogger (which is actually a little different than the Google Analytics instructions). Just thought I would post where I found the answer in case anyone else is having trouble!
Thanks for the resource! Glad you got it to work.
Ok, Amy, first you are awesome…second, I am still having problems..
So I have the 2010 weaver theme. I put the code above body, in the footer, of the editor under appearance.
I still have the yellow triangle saying it is not working…no green check mark…
what should i do?
thanks so much
nevermind amy, it finally turned to a green check mark
thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woohoo!
I just want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making the unknown known. I truly think you have a gift for explaining how to do things in non-techie terms where it becomes so palatable to us non-techies
Such a blessing to those of us new to the blogging world. Not to mention it makes me less afraid about the "proper" way to go about blogging. I feel compelled to write, yet constantly deal with the fear of writing – go figure. 
Thanks to your blogging tips, the more I know, the more I develop confidence in what I do (i.e., contribute to the world in a small way thru my blog – and other future blogs).
I have to say…it feels as if my coming across your website was a "gift" – I first heard of your site thru MoneySavingMom.com – but really, now that I think of it, your website is the "gift" that keeps on giving!
Keep up the good work! It truly is appreciated, perhaps more than you know..
Thank you so much Cecilia. I really appreciate your encouragement and I'm so glad BWA is helpful!
So you check another site? While I am setting up my new blog, I am seeing that I have my blog site (wordpress), my Control panel for my server, my email, and now my stats page….there is a lot of clicking around! I need to figure a way to streamline! The wordpress import turns out to be a huge pain. The media wouldn't import so I need to go in and manually import all of my pics. You would think that wordpress.com and wordpress.org would do a better job communicating with each other! Again, thank you so much for all of your help and tips! Side note…how do I see my list of subscribers in the dashboard? I don't see the traditional "site stats" area that I was used to before and have no idea how to see my subscribers!
You can burn a feed with FeedBurner.
Then you can see your email subscribers by logging into FeedBurner (not your RSS subscribers though).
Thank you for your instructions. It was such helpful to me!
O.K…..I finally did this. I think I've been putting it off because I like the numbers I see with my Word Press Stats, and I've heard that Google Analytics is more accurate. I guess I'm afraid I've seeing smaller numbers.
Anyway, if anyone doesn't see the screen with the checkmark, go to the top and click on the "old version." It looks like there is a new beta version with a slightly different look to it (no check mark that I could find).
Yes, there is a new version (things change so fast online!! LOL!). I posted a new resource here.
I have found y our site SO very helpful as I am not verytech savvy when it comes to things oher than FB, email and online searches.
I am following the instructions to install Google Analytics to my new WordPress blog (using a Thesis framework). I signed up with Google Analytics and copies and pasted the code into my dashboard. I then went back to Google Analytics to check the status and first off, I cannot find where to check the status. I logged in, went to the Gear shift icon at the far right, clicked on Tracking Code and this is what I get:
Tracking Status
Tracking Not InstalledLast checked: Dec 31, 1969 4:00:00 PM PST
The Google Analytics tracking code has not been detected on your website's home page. For Analytics to function, you or your web administrator must add the code to each page of your website.
Last checked Dec 31, 1969??
Ok, am I just looking in the wrong place? At this point, I am lost.
Ok, it just tracked one visitor so I think it is working. Fingers crossed!
Check after 24 hours and you should know for sure.
This site have saved me so much learning curve time – thank you!
I have some knowledge of code (basically I know enough HTML and CSS to tweak a site, but not enough to build one from scratch) and decided to paste the Google Analytics script in my footer. I'm using the Twenty Eleven Theme. My Google Analytics dashboard says Analytics is not installed. I see other people have had this problem, and it might resolve itself in 24 hours.
I didn't add the script to the footer widget, because I'm not sure why I would need to do both? If you were to test one method at a time, which one do you think would have the higher success rate – the footer.php file or the footer widget? If I install the script in the widget, would I use the Text/HTML widget?
Thanks again!
See if this helps if data doesn't show up after 24 hours.
Thanks for the link! The problem resolved after 24 hours. This site is great.
WOOT!
FYI – just thought I would share.
I started to freak out because Google Analytics showed that I had ZERO visitors for the past 2 weeks! If my traffic numbers were higher, I would have looked into the problem sooner. I really thought no one was visiting my site. (Admittedly on some days, when I wasn't promoting heavily I really did have zero visitors.) I was bummed.
But I would promote my site (by commenting on other sites) and I was still getting zero visitors. Usually commending on other sites wasn't driving huge traffic to my site, but I would get at least a couple of visitors.
I checked and confirmed I wasn't on Google's blacklist. I checked the stats tools that came with my hosting plan, which were harder to read than Google Analytics, but showed I was getting some visitors. (I couldn't tell which of these visitors were real humans vs. bots.) What was happening?
Google Analytics was no longer installed on my site! I must have updated my site, and accidentally removed the tracking code. Maybe it happened when I changed themes.
I tried to reinstall the code and I think that will solve my problem. But I will have to wait 24 hours for this to resolve itself.
I share this embarrassing story in hopes it could help others. I was worrying that I may have been unintentionally spammy and gotten blacklisted by the internet community, and it turns out Google Analytics just wasn't installed anymore!
FYI – This is from 2010, but I have bookmarked this incase my problem doesn't resolve in 24 hours. It seems many people have experienced something similar: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Analytics/thread?tid=6c44de1a341b859b&hl=en
Oh, this has happened to me before too, when I switched themes and forgot to put my tracking code into the new one. Thanks for the excellent reminder!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has done this! You're welcome! This has been a learning experience.
THANK YOU!
I used the plug in & it's active, but not showing on Google Analytics does this take a little time to show up? Thanks.
I've used your amazing site to start my own blog and am so excited! Thanks so much for all your great resources and instructions – I couldn't have done it without you!
Hi Amy,
I have google analytics on my website, came with my template theme. Since I have a blog on my website, do I need to add google analytics to my blog also?
If you can login to analytics and get the info you need, you should be good to go!
My friend just referred me to your site, I am trying to start my own blog. Very useful information, thank you. I liked you on FB and you have a new RSS subscriber. Good stuff!!
Thanks so much, DP! I'm glad you stopped by.