There are many high quality, free tools and applications available for small business web site owners. One of the best and most essential of these applications is Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that  helps you understand and improve your online marketing efforts.

The tool is simple to obtain and use. Signing up for the service is free and you can link it to your gmail account and other Google services. Once you have signed up you are provided with some javascript code that you must place on each page of your site. This code allows Google to track the source, location, and behavior of visitors to your site.

I came across the excellent video below that serves as an introduction to the statistical reports provided by Google Analytics. It includes examples of how you can use the data to optimize the performance of your web site and improve your marketing efforts. If you don't have Google Analytics or another traffic analysis method in place you are missing out on one of the most powerful aspects of doing business on the web.

Check it out: