Google Analytics Replacement (Piwik)

[V_RocKs]

I saw it on GFY where someone was asking about a Google Analytics replacement and someone mentioned Piwik. The first thing that goes through my mind when I think of replacing Google Analytics is that whatever solution I choose (if it's in house) is going to be a pain in the ass to set up!

Thankfully nothing could be further from the truth. Piwik took as long to set up, and was as hard to set up, as a Wordpress installation. In fact, the information requested is basically the same. You might have to run some SSH commands or use FTP to change file/directory permissions, but that is it.

Part of the install is spent setting up your first site. So once done you get to see some immediate stats. Keep in mind that your first site is going to be the site/URL from which all of your other sites will load the analytics script! So plan to use a mainstream name and/or one you will be keeping for a long time.

Anyway... If you are looking to use something that has instant stats and keeps your data private, Piwik is a very easy solution!

[V_RocKs]

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-piwik/

Add Piwik stats to your WP dashboard and give you a handy admin box to put your Piwik code into so you don't have to edit files manually.

[munki]

As detailed as analytics?

[anexsia]

I love Piwik, I find it just as good as analytics, if not better.

[CurrentlySober]

i cant afford either of them

[AaronM]

Been using Piwik for about 18 months now. I'm pretty happy with it.

[SnakeX]

why to replace G analytics?any good reasons?

[anexsia]

why to replace G analytics?any good reasons?

sticking it to the man

[V_RocKs]

As detailed as analytics?

Yes, very much so! And drilling down leads to outgoing links... as in SERPs you show up on.

[V_RocKs]

why to replace G analytics?any good reasons?

Quicker access to your data.
Unlimited sites in your account.
Multiple installs can break up a network to hide your size if you choose to do so.
You create your own TOS.

[SnakeX]

i like it

i hope Google wont punish us for removing analytics

[u-Bob]

As detailed as analytics?

analytics can never be as detailed as something you run on your own servers...

[Klen]

analytics can never be as detailed as something you run on your own servers...

Actually there is no difference between piwik and GA from technical point of view,since for both to make it work you will need to use include,it's not like AWstats which simply reads apache/server log.

[u-Bob]

Actually there is no difference between piwik and GA from technical point of view,since for both to make it work you will need to use include,it's not like AWstats which simply reads apache/server log.

I know, but you can import your apache logs into piwik...

[mike|melina]

Looks quite good indeed. I've been playing around with Clicky lately, it's certainly not as detailed as GA but the real time feature, they call it Spy, is quite ok.

However I didn't really stick to it. I'll most certainly give Piwik a go, thanks for the pointer.

Cheer.

[AAB]

why to replace G analytics?any good reasons?

Any reason to cut off Google from spying on you and collecting data about you to build a pretty solid picture of who you are for whatever future use is a good reason

[u-Bob]

Any reason to cut off Google from spying on you and collecting data about you to build a pretty solid picture of who you are for whatever future use is a good reason

that and it slows down your site and isn't very accurate.

[Gambrinus]

I run piwik and analytics both on the same sites. Piwik consistently under reports the amount of SE traffic I am getting. I do like it though.

[st0ned]

Piwik can be a major server hog depending on how much traffic you have or how many sites you intend on tracking.

I played around with it for quite a while and thought it was great aside from the fact that it was far too lagged with my traffic so rather than setting up another high spec server just for stats I just stopped using it.

I also noticed a difference in traffic between Piwik and GA, was not sure what was causing that.

[Klen]

Piwik can be a major server hog depending on how much traffic you have or how many sites you intend on tracking.

I played around with it for quite a while and thought it was great aside from the fact that it was far too lagged with my traffic so rather than setting up another high spec server just for stats I just stopped using it.

I also noticed a difference in traffic between Piwik and GA, was not sure what was causing that.

Yes that is reason why i dont use any tracking,since it can cause resource hogging and site slowdown.Kind a suck when i need to check some stats but still it's not lack i am gonna lose any money with it.Beside i think only statistic what is matter is for which google keyword you rank,and that info can be seen in google webmaster tools and do not require any tracking.

[Andreas]

Thats my main concern that it will just slow down my server too much.

[CyberHustler]

I just stopped using piwik. Great stats program but I hate slow sites. Awstats for me.

[Babaganoosh]

Thats my main concern that it will just slow down my server too much.

It won't assuming you know how to tune mysql.

[John-ACWM]

Nice info

[V_RocKs]

Piwik shows you what position you were in when they come from a SE.

[Splum]

Piwik is fucking awesome, I am also having pretty good success with getclicky for a remotely hosted solution

[Si]

I just stick with awstats. Hate using other analytics.