Google Tips on setting goals in Google Analytics

Aug

Incorrect goal URL

One of the most common goal set-up errors is to enter the incorrect URL. To confirm that you’re entering the URL correctly, try reaching the goal page on your own site and copying and pasting the URL into the ‘Goal URL’ field.

You can remove the domain name entirely from the field and Google Analytics will still track the page as a goal. For example, if your goal is http://www.mysite.com/1/thanks.html, you can safely use ‘/1/thanks.html’ as your Goal URL.

Duplicate final goal step

When you have steps leading up to your goal, the last step you specify in the Goal Funnel Settings should be the final step prior to reaching your goal. The goal itself should be placed in the ‘Goal URL’ field and does not need to also be included as a last step.

Goal value error

It is possible that the Goal value entered includes non-numerical characters. If the goal value is set to $2,560, the error message is displayed because the value contains the characters “$” and “,”. In this case, only the value 2560 will suffice.

Historical data not relevant

If you’ve recently applied a new goal, it will only apply to data processed after the goal was implemented, and not to historical data in your account. This is why you might not see data for your website if you haven’t had anyone convert on a goal after you created one.