There are three things I wanted to share on my “About” page: A bit about me, a bit about who got me going, and a bit about its inspiration.
On 14 May 2006 when I started this blog the info on this page was simple: “Director of Research & Analytics at Intuit, Web Analytics Practitioner, Nice guy.”
Things have evolved a smidgen since then. Here’s the latest (Apr ‘08).
About Me:
I am. . . .
- The Author of Web Analytics: An Hour A Day
(A book that benefits The Smile Train and Doctors Without Borders, 100% of my proceeds are donated to them) - The Analytics Evangelist for Google
(Data driven decision making uncomplexified) - The Co-Founder and Chief Education Officer for Market Motive
(Online marketing education, on demand, high quality, fresh, every day!)
I am on the Board of Advisers for. . . .
- Coradiant (Web operations & end user experience management awesomeness)
- Commerce360 (Analytics & search marketing automation redefined)
- iPerceptions (Qualitative web insights & measurement turbocharged)
- University of California Irvine (Web Intelligence Certificate program, go education!)
I love teaching and speaking and changing mindsets. . . .
- Conferences: eMetrics, SES, Web 2.0, Ad-Tech, DMA events, BlogWorld, iCitizen etc (Current Speaking Engagements)
- Universities: Stanford University, University of Utah, University of Virginia, Santa Clara University etc (Oh, and I am so proud of this: Associate Instructor, University of British Columbia!)
- Companies: Dell, AOL, Sephora, Time Warner, AutoDesk, Vanguard, Google etc
I am on (if you are interested in my professional career). . . .
I am at. . . .
- blog at kaushik dot net (and still a nice guy :)
About the Blog’s Start:
I met Andy Beal at the Frost & Sullivan event where I spoke in early 2006. At that conference he played a key role in convincing me of the value of blogging and even offered to help me with anything I needed.
Andy gets all the credit in the world for getting me into blogging, for that I will remain eternally grateful to him.
About the Blog’s Spirit:
Guy Kawasaki’s early blog posts were very influential for me in terms of what this blog became. Specifically two things outlined in his blogging “principles” post:
- “Eat like a bird, and poop like an elephant.” - Japanese Quote.
This really connects with me. I have learned a lot from others and my hope with my blog is to share back with the world, to the extent that I can, in my core area of expertise. - Think “book” not “diary.”
I have come to believe that this is probably the best way to be successful in blogosphere.
[Interesting side note: While I followed this second principle from day one of this blog, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would ever actually become a book published by Wiley!]
I hope you find the blog to be of value, I welcome your feedback.
May 27th, 2006 at 18:59
Say Goodbye to Expensive Analytics…
Intuit’s Avinash Kaushik started blogging earlier this week. The blog is called Occam’s Razor after William of Ockham’s famous principle: “Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.” Kaushik’s blog has already proven to be a keenly writt…
June 5th, 2006 at 09:32
[...] Second, Avinash Kaushik has a fantastic blog post titled Data Quality Sucks, Let’?s Just Get Over It concerning the quality of analytics data and how to make informed decisions based on your comfort level with the data. He stresses that you will not get 100% accurate data but that doesn’t matter. You can still make informed decisions with the data that your analytics solution provides. It is a really great post and I highly recommend giving it a read. [...]
June 28th, 2006 at 16:46
[...] Intuit’s Avinash Kaushik started blogging earlier this week. The blog is called Occam’s Razor after William of Ockham’s famous principle: “Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.” [...]
July 20th, 2006 at 20:08
As a fellow reader of Blaire’s blog, I have read through yours a fair bit, and like it a lot. I’m wondering if you have read the very funny Richard Russo novel in which Occam’s Razor is a very recurrent theme.
I also agree that the proper visualization of data can tell so much more than charts or tables. I happen to feel the same way about editorial cartoons — they take issues relating to ideas, turn them into a quick visual (best when it is allegorical or metaphorical in some way), and add something witty and/or exaggerated to make the point more clear. Tom Toles is great at it.
At any rate, thanks for the excellent blog!
January 28th, 2007 at 18:40
[...] With every passing day, we live more and more of our lives online. For companies in such a world, web analytics are incredibly important. On Friday, I was lucky enough to connect with a leading thinker on the subject - Avinash Kaushik of Intuit. [...]
March 1st, 2007 at 08:03
[...] But my hero of the day is Avinash Kaushik. [...]
April 10th, 2007 at 08:26
[...] Here are several excepts from a weblog post by web research and analytics consultant Avinash Kaushik, The Three Greatest Survey Questions Ever: Web analytics is awesome (you do expect me to say that don’t you! : )), is has to be a critical part of your web strategy because it can yield great insights. But for the fastest way to understanding customer problems there is nothing like asking the customer herself / himself (and yes it will lead to improved revenues). [...]
June 8th, 2007 at 05:50
[...] Couple of new great blogs I found on … Posted June 8, 2007 Couple of new great blogs I found on Internet: How to Change the World A practical blog for impractical people. http://blog.guykawasaki.com/ Occam’s Razor by Avinash Kaushikhttp://www.kaushik.net/avinash/about/ [...]
June 11th, 2007 at 07:28
[...] Avinash Kaushik is probably the best web analytics consultant in the world. His blog provides useful tips and pedagogical case studies to help webmasters and marketers fine tune their web analytics strategy.
Avinash recently published a 480 page book about web analytics called Web Analytics: An Hour A Day, which I immediately ordered on Amazon.
If you’re looking to buy a book to learn or improve your knowledge about web analytics, don’t look further, this book is definitely what you need. And with a price of only $19, there’s no reason for you to hesitate. [...]
June 15th, 2007 at 12:17
[...] In this edition of Grokcast, Bryan Eisenberg speaks with Avinash Kaushik about his new book, Web Analytics An Hour A Day. The book is a rare treat for folks who want a thorough education in Web Analytics, but feel overwhelmed by it at the same time. And the best part is that 100% of the proceeds go to charity.
Not only is Avinash the author of one of our favorite blogs, Occam’s Razor, he was recently hired by Google to be their official Analytics Evangelist. (Yes, really.)
Part 1 of the interview focuses on:
* why “looking beyond the click” to optimize the experience is so necessary [...]
July 9th, 2007 at 07:12
Woah! Thats some Bio!
Esp liked the “Eat like an elephant and Poop like a bird” quote. Will be bookmarking and watching out for this blog!
July 19th, 2007 at 14:05
[...] Analytics…or as I call it: Numerical Heaven I am a Web Analytics fanboy, and Avinash Kaushik is my Paris Hilton. [...]
August 3rd, 2007 at 09:05
[...] Many of you will have heard of Avinash Kaushik’s book Web Analytics in an Hour a Day. Avinash is the analytics guru who recently moved from an in-house role at Intuit to Google Analytics. He is a brilliant writer and anyone who is in any way interested in getting more out of their website should read Avinash’s blog. His book is also brilliant (and comes with a CD of additional material). We have a load of copies that we are giving away! Keep reading to find out how to get your hands on a free copy of Avinash’s book.[...]
August 6th, 2007 at 08:28
[...]
Avinash writes a very good post on understanding the bounce rate. Here’s a summary:
1. Measure the website bounce rate to understand what percent of your website traffic is actually engaging with your site,
2. Filter the bounce rate by traffic source to find out the effective and poor traffic sources.
3. Check the bounce rate to track your SEO efforts.
4. Measure the bounce rate for paid search campaign efficiency.
5. Use the “bounce rate” statistics to optimize pages.
[...]
August 22nd, 2007 at 21:59
Hi Avinash,
Would it be possible to buy the book in INR.
I would love to have a copy. I have been promoting websites for around 6-7 years now and most of my clients now know the benefit of tracking visitors and Google analytics answers most of what they want to know.
Thanks.
Best regards
Ranjana
August 29th, 2007 at 21:29
[...] Avinash goes into a long and informative response detailing why focusing on just conversion rate is a bad idea. For me, it boils down to ‘visitors at your site have all kinds of tasks in mind - other than buying - so optimizing for just one task neglects (or worse) the other visitors.’ However, it got me thinking … well that’s unfair … I had a little flash of an idea and here it is:[...]
August 31st, 2007 at 18:49
[...] Yep, I’ve been tagged for another blog tag game, this time actually by name. The idea behind Rhea’s game is to identify the 7 members of your SEO dream team… so here goes.
* Jason Calacanis
* The other 6 - The starting line up of the 1974 Philadelphia Flyers…
Oh wait, that’s an old Simpsons joke. Let’s do the real thing.
Danny Sullivan - This one is a given
Matt Cutts - Ditto
Avinash Kaushik - You need analytics, so go for the best (there wasn’t one person that objected when his presentation went over time in San Jose).
Now it’s time to change it up from Rhea’s answers…
Bill Slawski - one of the brightest minds I know, let alone in search.
Todd Malicoat - despite the new tattoo. ;)
Jeremy Schoemaker- if there’s a way to make money, he can find it.
As for number 7… I’m going to leave that open for a specialist in whatever direction my team decides would be the best way to go in. Now all I have to do is have my numbers come up tonight in the Mega Millions drawing and we’ll see how this works in reality. :) [...]
September 11th, 2007 at 07:48
[...] It was just over a month ago that I wrote about our book giveaway - where we promised to give away two copies of Avinash’s book (Web Analytics in an Hour a Day. As I wrote on the 3rd August: [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 13:38
[...] While I’m plugging books, Avinash Kaushik’s Web Analytics: An Hour a Day is another brilliant book on the subject [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 21:34
Great web site loaded with lots of great information I am going to add it to my favorite so that I can finish looking it over. Kudus to you.
December 1st, 2007 at 18:49
[...] Fogliata riassume un contributo di Avinash Kaushik, consulente freelance ed evangelista per Google Analytics. Un pezzo davvero intrigante e formalmente corretto, non fosse per l’impellente sensazione di déjà vu che mi ha tormentato leggendo definizioni come contributo grezzo dell’autore, tasso di conversazione e (questa è fenomenale) crescita olistica dell’audience. Dove ho già sentito questa roba? [...]
December 20th, 2007 at 15:31
I wanted to take the time to introduce myself. I discovered your site while checking out the top 100 business blogs and have been reading some of your articles. Now that I stopped by to read your about page, I am impressed. Keep up the good work, it should help me become a better blogger.
December 28th, 2007 at 03:14
[...] SIPA na swoje konferencje zaprasza wielu ciekawych prelegentów. Mi?dzy innymi mia?em przyjemno?? wys?ucha? wyk?adu a pó?niej rozmawia? osobi?cie z ewangelist? Google Analytics Avinashem Kaushikem, który by? bardzo uprzejmy w sprawach, które mnie nurtowa?y. Dodatkowo powiedzia? mi, ?e lada dzie? (je?li nie ju?) Google Analytics b?dzie mia?o mo?liwo?? ?ledzenia filmów i dzwi?ków. Mi?dzy innymi do której minuty nasz film by? obejrzany lub plik wys?uchany. W dobie kiedy coraz wi?cej tre?ci jest publikowana w sieci jako tre?ci multimedialne, ta funkcjonalno?? wydaje si? nieunikniona. [...]
December 31st, 2007 at 14:53
[...] Having something as minor as updating my blogroll turn into a public pratfall (though this “worst” quickly evolved into something that could be considered one of the best: the positive attention of an analytics expert). [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 05:26
[...] I have been reading extensively about search engine marketing , and also watching various videos - one of the best videos i saw was a seminar by Avinash Kaushik - the from Google Analytics team . The full session was full of various insights on quite a few topics such data analysis , creating a data driven culture in a organization, checking ones web site’s bounce rate, and internal site search analysis and visitor intent . I spent the whole of sunday afternoon watching the videos , which were as i said before fascinating and insightful.
I have decided to using Web Analytics to the most , [...]
February 27th, 2008 at 14:53
[...] Avinash es actualmente, consultor independiente y Analytcs Evangelist de Google, un trabajo en el que como el mismo bromea, le pagan por hacer lo que quiera. Pues bien, cuando hace unos días me puse en contacto por email con él y le pedí que me diera su opinión sobre "hacia dónde va la analítica web" amablemente ( como siempre ) me seleccionó unas declaraciones suyas en las que afirmaba: [...]
March 5th, 2008 at 06:33
[...] If you are a blogger, you have to read Avinash Kaushik’s blog Occam’s Razor. We met with Avinash yesterday and he generously shared some great advice. Avinash was my former colleague at Intuit, who started his blog in May 2006 and has built what may be the #1 Web analytics blog (Technorati Authority of 1106 as of 02/08). He posted some great tips here and here, and I’ve repeatedly gone back to read this post. [...]
March 12th, 2008 at 11:03
[...] El próximo 24 de marzo los miembros de la Web Analytics Association estarán eligiendo 6 de los 12 directores del Comité Ejecutivo. Me alegra muchísimo anunciar que soy uno de los 17 nominados, gracias al apoyo recibido principalmente por Avinash y por Enrique. [...]
March 27th, 2008 at 08:34
[...] I always look to the experts when I want to learn more about a tool, and I’ve found the Holy Grail of Google Analytics. Avinash Kaushik is the Google’s Analytics Evangelist. He is a wonderful source on getting the most out of Analytics. Avinash speaks through Occam’s Razor which is a principle rooted in simplicity that I personally love. Avinash describes this concept beautifully : [...]
April 1st, 2008 at 06:52
[...] .. questo è uno degli obiettivi fondamentali della Web Analytics; perchè non chiederlo direttamente a loro con 4 semplici domande? Questo è l’intento di 4Q, un’iniziativa di Avinash Kaushik, autore di “Web analytics one hour a day” e blogger con Occam’s Razor, in collaborazione con iPerceptions; Mettere insieme il Cosa (cosa ha fatto il visitatore online, quali pagine ha visto, su quali si è soffermato, da dove è enttrato ed uscito) con il Perché (i dati quantitativi non ci daranno mai questa risposta..). [...]
April 3rd, 2008 at 18:35
Hi Avinash
I’ve been reading this since mid 06 and the about page hasn’t changed since now, shows the power of blogging that your career has expanded in so many ways!!!
cheers
Jon
May 22nd, 2008 at 14:37
[...] Leuke vraag, niet? Las onlangs een post over dit onderwerp op de (/het) blog van Avinash Kaushik. Avinash snapt goed wat mensen in deze branche bezighoudt. Hij gebruikt geregeld emails van bezoekers en bespreekt hun ‘probleem’ in een post. Hierbij een vrije vertaling van deze post en interpretatie mijnerzijds. [...]
May 28th, 2008 at 12:19
Hi Avinash,
I just found your video at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=15899392906&subj=732214187
I am fan of yours and a regular reader.
Great work so far.
Happy to help you if you need anything from me.
Tilak
May 29th, 2008 at 03:52
[...] Daarnaast ga ik vanmiddag webanalytics goeroe Avinash Kaushik interviewen (samen met Ton Wesseling voor Marketingfacts). Hij is schrijver van het vorig jaar verschenen boek “Web Analytics: An Hour a Day”. Hij werkt nu bij Google en is daar de webanalytics evangelist. [...]
May 29th, 2008 at 15:06
[...] But Avinash Kaushik, author of “Web Analytics - An Hour a Day”, frequent speaker and analytics evangelist for Google, takes it one step further. In a recently posted article on his blog, Occam’s Razor, Kaushik proposes that brand-type keywords are best used for search engine optimization (SEO) while category keywords are the best place to focus your paid search dollars. Actually, I’m over-simplifying a little. Kaushik writes in detail (2200+ words) about the “head” and “long tail” of your keyword phrases. Since most of you don’t have time to read a 2200+ word document I’ll summarize it for you here. [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 08:58
[...] until you fix that problem. I’m being generous with the 50% cut off. Google analytics specialist Avinash Kaushik has said, “It is really hard to get a bounce rate under 20%, anything over 35% is cause for [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 09:21
[...] If your bounce rate (not counting traffic from paid search advertising) is higher than 50%, don’t spend another dollar on marketing until you fix that problem. I’m being generous with the 50% cut off. Google analytics specialist Avinash Kaushik has said, “It is really hard to get a bounce rate under 20%, anything over 35% is cause for concern, 50% (above) is worrying.” Once you’ve got your bounce rate under control it doesn’t mean you can stop worrying about your website, but you’ll have some comfort in knowing that you’re not alienating everyone who comes to your site. [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 00:47
[...] Zoals ik eerder al schreef in Webanalytics congres - Neil Mason keynote sprak ook webanalytics goeroe Avinash Kaushik op het Webanalytics congres. Hij is schrijver van het vorig jaar verschenen boek “Web Analytics: An Hour a Day”. Hij werkt nu bij Google en is daar de webanalytics evangelist. Hieronder een samenvatting van zijn presentatie. Na zijn keynote sprak ik met hem in een leuk en interessant interview. [...]
July 10th, 2008 at 05:01
[...] Avinash Kaushik recently ran an informal contest to find out what report people would choose if they could only have one Web analytics report. The winner of “the best Web analytics report” was a report showing “sources by state, compared to last month.” Based on her business, a locally owned company that competes solely in her geographic service area, it is a great report. For other businesses, it may not make sense. This makes picking one “best” report difficult since it can vary depending on the business and the focus that the particular analyst has.
For example, one Web analyst may be focused on the external sources of traffic while another is focusing on how the site converts visitors. These two Web analysts would undoubtedly come up with different reports that they felt were the “best” analytics report. Since Avinash’s contest wasn’t specific to a particular industry or the type of analysis that a Web analyst was performing, it makes it very difficult to pick only one report…and would still be very difficult even if you had additional guidelines. [...]
July 22nd, 2008 at 01:59
[...]
Acaba de incorporar biblioteca.etsit a su fondo Web Analytics : An hour a day [localizado en la signatura D2080 KAU WEB] de Avinash Kaushik, con prólogo de Jim Sterne. Según la Web Analytic Association [WAA], web analytics puede definirse como la medición, el procesamiento, el análisis y el informe de datos de internet realizados con el objetivo de entender y optimizar la usabilidad de la web.
Tal y como se explica en Web Analytics : An hour a day, las principales fuentes de información para web analytics son las herramientas de web analytics; los ad servers o servidores de publicidad online; las herramientas de email marketing como el envío masivo de correos electrónicos y las bases de datos corporativas de clientes, proveedores, etcétera.
[...]
July 24th, 2008 at 06:59
[...] I just read something important, written by Avinash Kaushik in Web Analytics An Hour A Day. He was making the point that 70 percent of people that come to your site do so through search engines and these search engines invariably send them somewhere besides your home page. I think we forget that a lot. We strive to make a clever, robust and appealing home page without spending nearly as much time on the interior pages. Perhaps we should all take a close look at our site’s interior pages - especially the landing pages - and treat them as if they were our home page. Just a thought. [...]