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Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

venturebeat.com

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Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#11

Post by tomgallard »

I sometimes wonder about the value of real-time analytics. I use Google Analytics real-time, and it can be extremely addictive watching visitors arriving, navigating, hoping you'll get a conversion, looking at how they found you.

But does it really add anything over none-real time analytics? Much healthier to check your reports once a week or so I would think.

I often think its just another distraction (like checking email or HN) that can moves focus from what I really should be doing.

Though I'd love to hear what uses people have found for real time analytics...

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#12

Post by mmobile »

tomgallard wrote: post #8
mmobile wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do I get it? Is there a link inside GA?

Go to Home on the top tab, and you should see real time options on the left hand menu

Looks nice and there's a difference in concurrent visitors of 50% compared to Chartbeat, anyone knows why??

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#13

Post by mmobile »

tomgallard wrote: post #11

I sometimes wonder about the value of real-time analytics. I use Google Analytics real-time, and it can be extremely addictive watching visitors arriving, navigating, hoping you'll get a conversion, looking at how they found you. But does it really add anything over none-real time analytics? Much healthier to check your reports once a week or so I would think. I often think its just another distraction (like checking…

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3847649

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#14

Post by tomgallard »

mmobile wrote: post #13
tomgallard wrote: post #11

I sometimes wonder about the value of real-time analytics. I use Google Analytics real-time, and it can be extremely addictive watching visitors arriving, navigating, hoping you'll get a conversion, looking at how they found you. But does it really add anything over none-real time analytics? Much healthier to check your reports once a week or so I would think. I often think its just another distraction (like checking…

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3847649

I understand you get a better feeling off it, but I'd love to hear from people who have noticed something using real-time analytics they wouldn't have seen from plain old analytics.

I'm not sceptical, just curious as I think it can easily turn into a great way to waste time...

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#15

Post by citricsquid »

tomgallard wrote: post #11

I sometimes wonder about the value of real-time analytics. I use Google Analytics real-time, and it can be extremely addictive watching visitors arriving, navigating, hoping you'll get a conversion, looking at how they found you. But does it really add anything over none-real time analytics? Much healthier to check your reports once a week or so I would think. I often think its just another distraction (like checking…

Same experience here. They're great to watch but generally quite worthless in the grand scheme of things. They have value sometimes but it's not regular, for example if we need to do emergency maintenance we can check how heavily a specific thing is being used, but beyond that...

I guess they appeal to people that are marketing.

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#17

Post by arctictony »

mmobile wrote: post #12
tomgallard wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Go to Home on the top tab, and you should see real time options on the left hand menu

Looks nice and there's a difference in concurrent visitors of 50% compared to Chartbeat, anyone knows why??

Google only receives pings on the page load so it then assumes that each visitor is there for five minutes to get its measurement of concurrents. Chartbeat is being pinged every few seconds so we can tell if someone is really there or not. The infographic I linked to above explains it better.

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#19

Post by kmfrk »

I am having a really hard time comparing all the available traffic analyzers; I had my eyes set on Gauges (http://get.gaug.es) because of its pristine look compared to the unholy mess of Google Analytics, but maybe there are better or equally-good alternatives out there.

How do you compare the tools available out there, as long as one of your main parameters are design/UX?

It feels like there are as many traffic analyzers as there are to-do apps for iOS.

Re: Chartbeat raises $9.5 million to measure the real time web

#20

Post by slig »

singer wrote: post #6
slig wrote: post #3

I've been using charbeat for a long time and all I can say is: I love it. I really do. The insights I get are priceless. The only downside is that sometimes I spend too much time watching it instead of writing code.

What kind of information are you using from it? And, how does it help you in your business?

I don't have a proper business per se, but I do make a living from a puzzles (flash and javascript games) site with adsense.

I use the API to see what games are trending right now, and use that to order the games on various "listings". That way, new and cool stuff are always on top.

I can also see exactly what times most people get on the website, and I use that information to send newsletters(and posts social media) on what I think is the best time.

I see what games are more engaging and I can focus on them, writing more features or simply promoting them better.

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