|
Hi there!
Thank you for installing our Google Analytics plugin for Joomla.
THE CHALLENGE: Up until now it was nearly impossible to NOT track your own visits on Google Analytics in Joomla. This posed a problem as your analytics data was diluted by visits by either you or your office/IT/marketing folks. Many smaller businesses have their website as their starting homepage in their browsers. This can hugely inflate the actual number of visitors to your site by people that really matter - your potential customers and business partners. We, at WebGuru, set out to solve that problem and have come up with this plugin.
THE SOLUTION: Now, you can measure "true" visitors to your site without recording yourself and your team. This will prevent the Google Analytics coding from falsely inflating your pageviews, time on site, number of visitors, etc. You can even decide and set which level of users should be included in the Google Analytics tracking. To our knowledge, this is the first publicly available Google Analytics plugin that allows users to do this in Joomla.
ABOUT US: WebGuru is an internet marketing agency based out of Mongolia. Because our founder has spent 14 years in Colorado, we also hope to soon open a presence in Colorado, namely Boulder/Denver area. Currently, we provide search engine optimization (SEO), web design, and web development services: WebGuru's Web Solutions page. You can also follow our Internet Marketing Blog.
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
| skype id: webguru-co.com | twitter: @webguruco
phone: +1(303)945-3290 (US) | +976 88152200 (MN)
(Last updated: October 16th, 2009 - version 0.6)
Don't track YOUR visits. Track your visitors.
Get an accurate count on your Google Analytics. Simple yet effective! Download WebGuru's Google Analytics Plugin v.0.6 for Joomla 1.5.
WebGuru's Google Analytics plugin is simply THE MOST accurate extension for tracking "true" visitors and traffic to your Joomla site with Google Analytics. This little plugin gives you options to exclude yourself from being tracked along with your visitors.
Back-end options view of WebGuru's Google Analytics plugin for Joomla
(Click to see larger image)
Issues with Past Options for Installing Google Analytics on Your Site
Up until now it was nearly impossible to NOT track your own visits on Google Analytics in Joomla. This posed a problem as your analytics data was diluted by visits by either you or your office/IT/marketing folks. Many smaller businesses have their website as their starting homepage in their browsers. This can hugely inflate the actual number of visitors. What you people really want to measure are people that really matter - your potential customers and business partners. We, at WebGuru, set out to solve that problem and have come up with this plugin.
Benefits of the WebGuru's Plugin
Now, you can measure "true" visitors to your site without recording yourself and your team. This will prevent the Google Analytics coding from falsely inflating your pageviews, time on site, number of visitors, etc. You can even decide and set which level of users should be included in the Google Analytics tracking. To our knowledge, this is the first publicly available Google Analytics plugin that allows users to do this in Joomla.
WebGuru's Google Analytics Plugin FEATURES
WebGuru's Google Analytics plugin allows options to exclude site administrators, managers, editors, etc from being tracked. It also makes sure that the administrative pages do NOT show up in your Google Analytics tracking.
More specifically, the this plugin for Joomla:
- Allows you the option to NOT track the admin area
- Allows you the option to NOT track Super Administrators (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to NOT track Administrators (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to NOT track Managers (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to NOT track Publishers (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to NOT track Editors (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to NOT track Authors (regardless of pages they visit as long as they are logged in)
- Allows you the option to log 404 errors - What pages did visitors try to visit? You can find out if you are missing on serving possible visits attempts for specific URL's.
- Allows you the option to log searches on your site - Find out for what are your site visitors are looking.
- Allows you the option to log outgoing links from your site - How are your visitors leaving your site? On which links did they click?
- Works with the new ga.js and any updates of it
Download Latest Version
Thank you for downloading the plugin. We hope this is exactly what you have been looking.
Research Notes & References
Before we created this plugin, we used to use the BIGSHOT Google Analytics plugin. It's a nifty tool and has been the best Google Analytics extension for Joomla since its launch in fall of 2008. It allowed for a very simple and easy installation. It did not track the admin area. And, it worked without any issues. However, as we get more involved in the internet marketing industry, we realized that this tool simply was not good enough anymore.
The biggest issue with this extension and all the other tools out there (to our knowledge) is that they all include YOUR visits in the analytics data. If we, as business owners, want to track our visitors and our true customers, then we really do not want to have our own visits dilluting the actual visits to our sites.
Before we launched our plugin, we did a quick research again just to make sure there are not anything for Joomla that already does provide this.
We researched & looked at other tools out there:
- BIGSHOT Google Analytics plugin - best alternative to our release (in our humble opinion of course), but does NOT have options to exclude user groups, log 404 errors, outgoing links, etc
- Connect Analytics - module (have to be enabled in hidden module) & again no options to exclude user groups, log 404 errors, outgoing links, etc
- J!Analytics - module (have to be enabled in hidden module) released in March 2008 & have no options to exclude user groups, log 404 errors, outgoing links, etc
- JoomlaGATor - initially launched in October 2007 as module, this extension allows some interesting options like specific user and download tracking. However, there is no option to exclude certain user groups.
- Google Analytics Tracking Module - launched initially in 2006 as a module, this extension was one of the first major Joomla extensions to allow people to effortlessly add Joomla tracking to various sites. Like all the other tools, this also has no options to exclude certain user groups.
We also looked at some of the newer and less downloaded GA tracking installation modules and tools out there (ARIO, jxAnalytics, Goaxi, short to the point, etc). Some of those provide some additional interesting functionality, however none of them offer ability to exclude certain user groups.
A Final Note
We think that, as of this release date, this Joomla plugin allows for THE MOST accurate tracking with Google Analytics. This by no means is degrading of previous and existing coders and programmers. Rather, this is just an update of something that hopefully will be useful for Joomla users everywhere. We are of course grateful for all other programmers for helping further develop Joomla into the one of the finest Content Management Systems (CMS) out there today.
Frequently Asked Questions
We just launched the plugin, so we don't have any questions right now. ;) Please let us know your thoughts and ask us if you have any questions. Please also feel free to share your ideas on how we can make it even better.
- Are there any security issues caused by the plugin?
- No. There are absolutely no security issues that are caused by the WebGuru's Google Analytics Plugin for Joomla.
The issue brought to attention by Pat Lee is a simple integration issue between the two plugins. Both plugins use the tag for their coding. The issue that she had showed that the Google Analytics coding showed up in the username field on the admin login page. As you can see, this is not a security issue at all. Furthermore, we have not even been able to replicate the issue yet.
So, there are no known security issues with the plugin. Please continue to use and try it out as usual. We thank Pat for trying out the plugin and also for letting us know the issues she had.
- Where do I obtain the ENTIRE Google Analytics code?
- Log into your Google Analytics account
- If you do not have a Google Analytics account, you can sign up for Google Analytics at www.google.com/analytics. If you also do not have a Google account, you will be prompted to sign up for a new Google Account. Once, you follow the given steps to create your own Google Analytics account for your website, you will be able to see your entire code at one of the final steps.
- Once you have logged into your Google Analytics account, go to the appropriate Joomla website profile, click "Edit", and then click "Check Status". You should now be able to see your entire Google Analytics coding. Copy the entire code, starting with .
- There are no other major questions, however please try out our plugin and let us know what you think of it. We will do our best to incorporate some of your suggestions on the next update.
Release Notes
The plugin was developed in its entirety by WebGuru Co Ltd. The plugin is released under GPL. It is available for free for use.
We hope to make this one of the most effective tools for accurately analyzing website traffic in order to increase website effectiveness and make correct business decisions. Please send us your suggestions and ideas for improvement.
THANK YOU FOR DOWNLOADING AND TRYING OUR PRODUCT!!
With Love from Mongolia,
Team at WebGuru |
Comments
I have major problems with Swekey's Joomla security plugin and the WebGuru GA plugin
The GA Javascript that was entered in WebGuru's Plugin appears in the Joomla admin login box ( have sent screens by email )
This seems like a major security loophole
Otherwise this plugin has tremendous potential and could be enhanced even further .But without a trusted security branding, it cannot and should not be used .
Hi Pat, we have reviewed the images that you sent. As you indicated, the issue is that the GA code appears in the Joomla admin login box. Aside from that, we do not see any issues.
As a result, we believe that our plugin does NOT have any security issues. Everyone please go ahead, download, and use the plugin as usual. There are no security issues or threats to be worried about. It is just integration issue with the Swekey plugin, which we will address down the road.
Pat, thank you again for pointing out a potential issue.
Everyone, please download and use as usual. There is no security issue.
where can I find the ENTIRE GA code?
Sounds really great but when I try to install it to my site I get an error message: Can not find installation packet (directly translated into English). I have tried both to upload the file and to install from folder but both with the same result.
Thanks in advance! :)
@Zoli I just added answer to your question in the Frequently Asked Questions section just above the comments section. Thank you for trying out the coding. Please feel free to give us five stars on Joomla Extensions Directory at http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/site-management/site-analytics/10421. ;) Cheers!
I'm using 1.5 (.12 at the moment, just about to upgrade but I wanted to install this first), Site is in Swedish but not using Joomfish. No special modifications or big modules installed. Could I send a pm if you need additional info?
Sorry, forgot to say, I also get the following error message: JFolder::create : Path not in open_basedir paths
Could it have something to do with permissions? I have looked over them and I currently have 755 in my plugins folder which should be enough?
@Nicky thanks for giving it a shot. We are glad that this is exactly what you were looking for... Please give us a 5-star review at Joomla Extensions Directory (bit.ly/Un0Ty) ;)
Cheers!
Any suggestions on things to check?
Thanks,
Seth
I did not realise my feeds were not working so took a bit of time to work out what broke them, it turns out that it was this plugin.
Otherwise would have got an excellent from me
Thanks
Shouldn't it say "Don't track your visits. Track your visitors' visits"??
I really want to use this tool but I am uncertain because of the comments. Also, could you tell me if you have plans to use Google Analytics Asynchronous Tracking>
Thanks for visiting us.
Yes we have plans to use Google Analytics Asynchronous Tracking.
In 2010 we'll launch 1.0 version of our plugin.
You don't have to worry about anything. We are using our plugin every site we develop. As you can see our plugin installed in this site. It is working fine.
If you have any problem let us know.
Cheers
However, I have found on the site noted, that the placement is BeTween the body and html tags. How come or how do you correct that?
Otherwise, this is an easy to install and implement plug-in!
As I have no answer to my question other than Quote: I have decided to try another plugin that does something similar, This one just worked and no error message.
Shame it came to this, but if it breaks something then users will no other option but to look elsewhere. Still don't know why it broke my home page RSS feed, or an answer to the error message.
Cheers
TechnoboyUK
@Stan the coding should have been installed before the closing tag. Can you send us your website address (see my email)
Quoting TechnoboyUK:
@TechnoboyUK Apparently there are many plugins and components in Joomla. With everyone using various coding, there is room for conflicts in the coding. I think what Saruul was trying to say is that this is something we will look into implementing for version 1.0 for release in 2010. The current plugin so far works on all of our Joomla websites (dozen plus), but somehow there are other conflicts. We will have to look at that. Kind regards.
The analytics plugin produces valid code on the frontend. However, it conflicts with two other extensions - Account Expiration Component and extlorer. In both cases, it gives an error message:
Notice: Undefined index: HTTPS in /home/xxxxx/public_html/plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 182
Any ideas?
Thanks
Brendon
Notice: Undefined index: HTTPS in /home/XXX/public_html/plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 182
AND
Notice: Undefined index: HTTPS in /home/XXX/public_html/plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 142
This appears in on top of the page above the header itself in the backend on JOOMLAWATCH component.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Thanks for using our plugin. I will look for this notification.
And will post the solution. If possible can you guys leave your email addresses, then i can directly send you a fixed plugin
Thank You
I am experiencing an issue with this in the admin area of the site. I am using CB 1.2.1 on Joomla 1.5.15.
When adding a new CB user, the ajax username checker kicks in. There is then an attempt to connect to Google Analytics, and the screen goes white. Just hangs there. I have the switch set to NOT monitor the admin are. Any ideas?
Thanks!!!
Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/chickco/www/devjoomla.chickcorea.com/plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 253
Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/chickco/www/devjoomla.chickcorea.com/plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 254
-------------
Warning: fopen(administr ator/templates/system/error.php) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 253
Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 254
Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 255
---------------
then you might try turning off the "Log 404 errors as /error/error code/{url}?referrer={referrer}" option at plugin settings.
i hope you inform me soon.
thanks and regards
dig bijay
Notice: Undefined index: HTTPS in ../plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 182
Notice: Undefined index: HTTPS in ../plugins/system/webgurugooglean alytics.php on line 142
Help me please...
After coming here, I followed the suggestion of turning off the 'Log errors', Log Search, and 'Log Outgoing' options, and feeds work as usual now.
Maybe set the default install to have those turned off.
Please accept apologies on the slow development on this product. We are assigning the project over to new developer. We really need to get the new version out to you.
Asynchronous tracking is not available on the current version that is out. We will start working on the next version starting next week.
Sincerely,
WebGuru team
do you support the new asynchornous script from google ?
Thank you for your patience.
We have now assigned a new programmer to this project. Starting next week, we will start addressing each of the issues one by one.
We can release version 1.0 all at once, or we can release patches. Which do you prefer?
Regards
MC
I still like web-guru version, just for the blocking of admin logging.
We have started working again on this plugin. The RSS conflict and Google asynchronous tracking are two of the first items that we will work. Additional improvements include the option to exclude IP addresses from tracking as well.
We'll have another update for you sometime next week.
I am on a GoDaddy shared linux server. How do I get this to work?
Thanks,
Clay
I am on a godaddy shared server. How do I install the extension?
Thanks,
Clay
PS. I mistyped the capcha code and the refresh erased everything in this box, that really SUCKED!
Please download and try out the latest version of the plugin. We have named it version 0.9 simply to test it to make sure there are no more issues.
The RSS issue should now be resolved. Asynchronous tracking should now be available and working just fine. There are new features such as IP block to block your entire office IP addresses from being tracked. CB1 issue does not show on CB1.1.2, so please update to latest Community Builder.
Are there any more issues? Please everyone test it before we release it as 1.0.
If you find issues, you can email us directly at info (at) webguru-co.com. Please indicate version of Joomla, type of hosting, list of modules/components installed, and the issue in detail.
Without further dues, here is the version 0.9: webguru-co.com/downloads/webguru-google-analytics-v.0.9.zip
@Clay I believe responded to you via emails. I hope you got them
I believe the logic of the code is opposite of what the admin screen describes. To prevent the plugin from inputting the Google code in for me as a Super Admin, I have to select 'No' yet the instructions say to "input 'Yes' if I DO NOT want to log that user". I believe that on line 134 of the code is where the logic is that controls this.
I would suggest it's simpler to indicate the message to say "Log Super Administrators when logged in" and leave the code as it currently is.
I will continue to test. I'm pleased with the IP exclusion and that works fine.
btw, the cookies was used so that front-end visits could be recognized as visits by the super admin, admin, etc. otherwise, we cannot exclude front-end pageviews.
i will send you my email address.
First of all I've noticed that language pack is not working. I se in admin panel texts like that: GA UNIQUE ID LABEL, LOG ADMIN AREA LABEL, etc. In version 0.6 it was working for me.
Secondly but with much higher priority. After enable GAPlugin my site stoped working. Completly. It doesn't open at all. Safari 5.0 reports such an error: NSURLErrorDomai n:-1015, Firefox says that I'm using unsupported methodes of compression, you should report it to administrator, etc., etc.
Any ideas?
Oskar
Any ideas ?
Thanks
Raja
Vervolgens copieer je de volledige Google Analytics code in het tekstvak dat daarvoor voorzien is.
Should be:
Vervolgens kopieer je je UA-nummer in het tekstvak dat daarvoor voorzien is.
Furthermore I think that users that stay logged-in when remember me is activated in Joomla are not counted by Joomla. When i check my Joomla users last login date for a specific date I have at least 34 users that visited the site, Google analytics only gives a count of 14 for that same date.
JUST ISNTALLED THE PLUGIN AND IT INSTALLED FINE, PASTED THE GOOGLE CODE FOLLOWING THE LINK ABOVE, PASTED IT AND ACTIVATED THE PLUGIN, AND I GET THE FOLLOWING ERROR (8 MORE LINES) DESATIVATED THE PLUGIN AND THE SITE IS WORKING FINE. ANY GUESS WHERE I AM GOING WRONG
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
No valid database connection Table 'MYSITE_ext.jos_session' doesn't exist SQL=SELECT gid FROM jos_session WHERE session_id = 'MjEyLjQwLjIyOC4 zNw=='
No valid database connection Table 'MYSITE_ext.jos_session' doesn't exist SQL=SELECT gid FROM jos_session WHERE session_id = '82929e888112f3943e76250382aa39c2'
@Roshlyn the plugin works fine on standard Joomla installations and the extensions that we use. Most likely there is some sort of conflict with another plugin that you have installed on your Joomla.
RSS feed for comments to this post.