More and more internet users nowadays have taken the Internet as a means to express themselves verbally, thus, more and more users take the time to read about those comments. From a person looking at the situation in a two-dimensional aspect, this does not necessarily do damage or strengthen brand image, but, for a person who thinks outside the box, it does. From posts in networking sites such as Facebook, twitter or multiply to blogs such as these, each one is valuable data for companies to exploit. Now, according to yahoo, even job interviews and screenings include the web (social networking sites) as a means to know their applicants. If you take into consideration what was mentioned previously, if one person can be criticized from what is spotted in their sites, what people say about them, etc., what more from those companies/establishments that are so big they stand out like sore thumbs in the internet? Web Analytics will be the means for companies to harvest those articles and blogs about them and either do damage control or strengthen it.
Just to refresh our memories, Web Analytics as defined by Wikipedia is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of internet data for purposes of understanding and optimizing web usage. Saying that Web Analytics is useful is an understatement if you look at it 5-10 years from now. Some free Web Analytics tools include Google Analytics and Clicky. Google Analytics is the most popular free web analytics tool being that, according to users of Google Analytics, its easy to use and easy to install. Universities such as De La Salle University-Manila may find this useful being that in the US, Web Analytics, according to David Aponovich in his article in PRWeb, is a key investment by universities and colleges. Primarily because in the US, nearly half their applicants apply online, thus resulting to an awareness of more budget allocation for online marketing. It also states in the article that those Universities that have minimal budget may turn to free web analytics tools such as the ever so popular, Google Analytics. But, just because it's the most popular that doesn't mean it's the right choice. There are a lot of factors to consider when integrating Web Analytics to the system, especially to universities. First of all, Philippines as a country is not as submerged to the web as the US. Internet access is cheap but not everyone is computer literate. De La Salle University caters to a more, with lack of a subtler word, "privileged" group of individuals, thus marking down the list to the minority of the population of the Philippines. But that doesn't mean that De La Salle University should not invest in Web Analytics, I believe they should, as those who get ahead in the competition, have a better chance to stay ahead. Innovation is the key to success and web analytics is the next step to maintaining a competitive edge.
Still, a good first step is what's required for all things to fall into place. Just because of an awakening, that doesn't mean that we should rush into whichever direction. Planning is the best first step to make things possible. As mentioned awhile ago, the mentality should not be "It's popular, therefore, it's the right choice." but also, it neither should be "It's the most expensive tool money can buy, therefore, it IS the right choice!". What the main thought should be "What are the company's strengths and weaknesses and which tool will allow the company to capitalize on its strengths and minimize its weaknesses." Next, is knowing the compatibility of the web analytics tool to the company's system. This will ensure not only efficiency, but also less costs in implementation. In this step, departments involved with web exposure should know the system and tools as well as know the other departments involved.
Now, with web analytics tools in place, De La Salle University now not only know about their people (students, alumni, faculty), but also those who aspire to be part of De La Salle University. This meaning, those who search the web about De La Salle University, those who post blogs about the university, those who check the websites and run through what the website has to offer, all these information are available with the use of web analytics tools. These web analytics tools can now help with the decision making process of De La Salle University based on the information gathered. This alone shows how beneficial web analytics tools are. Now, I'm not qualified or knowledgeable enough to hand out a recommendation to which a university as prestigious as De La Salle University, but all I can say is that web analytics tools are the next big thing for De La Salle University which they should seriously consider, if not, start on preparing on for their benefit.
Submitted to Mr. Ramon Duremdes Jr for our DATAMIN class
DLSC
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