Where Did You Come From

Almost two years ago (Has it been that long!?!) I built my first web page. It was hosted on a free web server and had limited capabilities. But, I didn't care. It was so cool to have my very own web page!

Eventually, I learned a little bit about HTML, and I started putting up some graphics. What I wanted, though, was a nice looking counter. The one that the free web host offered was boring, and it didn't look good. So, I combed the web in search of the perfect free counter. I found one, and put it on my page.

What I remember most about this counter was, they offered this "thing", where they would tell me who my visitors were, what type of browser they were using, and where they came from. "Hmmm," I thought. "Interesting. Anyway....."

Now that I have a bit more knowledge of business on the web, I realize what an INVALUABLE service this was, and for FREE! I have racked my brain, trying to remember the name of the company that gave me that free counter, but I haven't been able to find it.

In the "real world", it's easy to figure out where your inquiries and orders are coming from. Why? Because advertising costs so much, you only have a few ads out there. You can "key" them easily. But on the web, where most of us have, literally, hundreds, or even thousands of ads out there, it's no small task.

Wouldn't it be great to know which ads are working, and which aren't? Not only would it be great, but on the web, it's a must. You HAVE to know where your visitors are coming from. Otherwise, you may be wasting precious time placing hundreds of ads that no one will ever see.

There are a few programs out there, for sale, that will tell you where your hits are originating, but I'm not going to plug them, here. Most cost upwards of $300.00 and I know, being an online marketer myself, that when you're just starting out, "free" is a beautiful word.

I've found two places that offer this service free. The only drawback to using them is, you have to place their graphic on your page for the program to work. But, as I see it, the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives. Would you place one more banner on your page to be able to find out exactly what URL your visitor came from? Mmm hmmm, that's what I thought. I ha

ve to wonder about the people who run these free services. Do they have any idea what a good thing they're doing? I'd like to know their names, so I can put them on my Christmas list. They've saved me so much extra work, and actually helped boost my profits. The two services I found are:

Site Tracker 

Hit Meter 

There may be more of these free services out there, but I doubt there are too many. If you find any, let me know. I'll send them all the business they can handle.

The information you'll get about your visitors is amazing. They'll tell you the IP address, the browser being used, what time they visited, how long they stayed, and most importantly, where they came from. You'll even see which keywords they used if they found you on a search engine. And you can check your reports as often as you like.

Well, what are you waiting for?

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Kim Skinner, is President of K & D Publishing, and author of Success Online Weekly, a free weekly e-zine full of free advertising tips, up-to-the-minute marketing strategies and tricks for the online marketer. To subscribe, send any e- mail to mail to:subscribe-ezine@kndpublishing.com or visit http://www.kndpublishing.com?report