When I started my Web Development degree at Gulf Coast, I never imagined I would be taking some of the classes I have taken. Case in point: Google Analytics. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the necessity of understanding all available tools. I just never thought I would say, “I took Google Analytics!” The purpose in saying all of that is to say this: I took it, but when in the world would I use it?
When designing websites, you get the ones that you just build. You educate the client on how to update it, put a bow on it, and send it on its way. Then there are those that you not only design, but also administrate. Those are the ones that you need to know the ins and outs of. Those are the web sites that you need to know who is visiting, how, and why.
Google Analytics, one of many analytic tools out there, gives you all of the insight you need. The insight to determine how you can improve the site to make it easier for potential users to find. How to make it easier to get to things that users are interested in. Better yet, it lets you know if anyone is even paying attention to your site to begin with.
Why does this matter? If you choose to go out and help develop and admin great websites for clients, they expect results. By results, I mean the mighty dollar. Businesses are interested in making money. If their websites aren’t bringing in users, their marketing suffers. If their marketing suffers, they aren’t making money. If you don’t believe me, search the web. There are untold numbers of articles discussing how to use Google Analytics to measure and help determine marketing strategies.
I was one of those people who wondered when I was going to use something I took. Now, however, I am using that very class. As part of a project I am working on, I am utilizing Google Analytics to improve the organizations social media and web presence. Most importantly, it helps me to explain to my client why a particular plan of action is a good idea.
Every now and then, you are going to take a class that you look at and wonder why you are taking it. That is perfectly normal. Just remember that one day, you just may find yourself coming to the same realization I did: I am glad I took that class. So while you are sitting there taking a class that you are less than excited about, keep your cool. Hang in there, read, read some more, and learn as much as you can because you just never know when you might need it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Toni Hernandez
Student Author - Fall 2019
Born in Los Angeles California, Toni is a non-traditional student majoring in Digital Media: Web Development. Married, with many fur and feathered babies, Toni enjoys gaming, movies, and reading horror novels when time permits.
