Top Ten Web Analytics Blogs : September 2006

[There is a updated version of this post: Top Ranked Blogs: April 2007.]

Welcome to the third edition of the Top Ranked Web Analytics blogs.

The evolution of the ranking system continues with a couple of tweaks to the ranking this time around. The primary determinant of the rank in the list below is still Technorati (click here).

To be considered the blog should primarily be on the topic of Web Analytics (50% or greater number of posts), as judged by a qualitative review (by me) of the last two months of posts.

Important: If you feel your blog has a higher Technorati ranking than 46k and it is not here please email me (blog at kaushik dot net). Especially if you are a non-English blog. Please contact me.

I was amazed at the change in the rankings each month (from June to July to this one). I did not expect so much flux in the rankings. Overall it is so fantastic that the number of blogs on the topic of web analytics continues to increase, as do the rankings of each blog. Viva la web analytics!!! 

Some personal observations:

• Any blog you see with a N/A in the July column was not on the list in July (and now they have the top three spots !).
• Hitwise inclusion was a tough one because they are not “typical web analytics”, atleast most people don’t think so. In my mind Competitive Analysis is very much a cornerstone of any solid web analytics programs (Business case: click here & Usage: click here).
• I am glad to see international representation continues with the E-consultancy blog.
• Standards work. In the first list there was correct critique that not everyone will use, or have claimed a blog on, Technorati. This list proves that if you go out and suggest a standard people will figure out how to get on the standard. (And I thank you all for that.)
• Competition is really tough in the blogosphere (hence gains of web analytics blogs are even more impressive). In mid-July it would have taken a blogger roughly 190 unique blog links to get a sub-10,000 technorati ranking. As of today a blogger would need approximately 230 unique blog links. Amazing.
• You would have needed 58 unique blog links to make it to the list above today.

A Personal Best Blogs Ranking:

Here is my personal ranking of the “best” web analytics blogs (using the criteria that they “Eat like a bird, and poop like an elephant”). They get the ORbAK Stamp of Thanks! (and maybe a golden star to put on their blog : )).

# 1: This Just In – Justin Cutroni
(I am amazed at how much Justin contributes to the community, soon he will work himself out of a job because rather than hiring him I’ll just use his blog to fix every problem I have!! : )

# 2: Increasing your website's conversion rate – Robbin Steif
(The irrepressible Ms. Steif’s blog has a wealth of practical knowledge for any web analytics practitioner. Her honesty is to die for. : ))

# 3: Commerce 360 Blog – Craig Danuloff
(Craig shares a very unique real world perspective that I find very refreshing. He is frank, he adds a lot of value and his personality shines through clearly.)  

If you don’t have them on your RSS reader then I highly recommend them.

I’ll repeat the six “reporting tips” that I have collated in the process of doing these rankings: 

1. Global standards and benchmarks are great because people buy into them more easily
2. Simplicity always wins over complexity, because what people understand better they are more likely to action
3. Judgment should be applied with a lot of careful consideration because reasonable people might disagree with someone they don’t know
4. In any report context is king, provide the right context
5. Be aware of hidden agendas, your’s and those of others
6. Be open and up front with your assumptions
7. Solicit feedback from your report consumers and incorporate relevant feedback in future iterations

So what do you think? How else can the ranking or the criteria be improved? Please share your feedback via comments.

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