Google Analytics
New Interface
Google released a new beta version of Google Analytics yesterday. It has a cleaner, crisper, more flexible interface. And, you can schedule report releases prepared in formats and layouts to your specifications, which may save you time wrangling reports. The new interface utilizes informatics influenced by Edward Tufte’s sparklines.
Superficial or Fundamental?
Google alludes that the changes are limited to user interface issues only, but the beta version of the hourly report seems to lag the original by about 2 hours. Coupled with the added emphasis on Google AdWords measurement, there may be something more fundamental in the way of upgrades here.
Moving and Grooving
A dashboard view with movable modules (think NetVibes) makes for easy layout and view changes. Dropping panels in and out of the interface and shuffling them around should prove beneficial when preparing reports for different audiences.
The new reports lack an hourly view in the day’s executive view chart but you can still access it via the conveniently located “Previous Interface? link. Google reports that they’re working on adding it back in.
All in all, it’s a nice step up. Oh, and did I mention it’s still free? Thanks, Google.
