Take Control of your Google Analytics Data with Analytics Backup/Data Warehouse
Analytics Backup is a unique web hosting service optimized for the purpose of capturing and archiving a copy of your website’s raw tracking data generated by the Google Analytics tracking scripts. The service enables users to keep a copy of this valuable business data in its raw format and re-process and analyze it with other tools at any time. In addition, the hosting service includes an Urchin server profile that processes the raw data hourly, making it available in the suite of Urchin reports. Urchin Software from Google is the software counterpart to Google Analytics and is capable of understanding the same raw tracking data that Google Analytics relies upon. The result is an ability to mine your Google Analytics data in new ways and re-process it at-will with the Urchin profile.
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How does Analytics Backup work?
Analytics Backup uses functionality built into Google Analytics to support collecting a copy of the raw Google Analytics tracking hits. However, rather than piping these tracking hits into the Webserver logfiles where they remain inaccessible to most users, Analytics Backup sends the tracking data into a cloud-based data capture and warehouse environment engineered specifically for the purpose of backing up and archiving Google Analytics raw tracking data.
What does installation require?
Installation requires two components:
- The addition of two method calls to your Google Analytics tracking code on all pages of your site (note: secure pages are generally not tracked unless you opt for a secure data collection domain with Analytics Backup).
- Creation of a DNS entry for the data collection sub-domain that will be unique to your website.
Is Analytics Backup secure and private?
Yes. The service is engineered specifically for the purpose of collecting your data and making it fully available to you and nobody else. Each domain using the platform has a unique data collection domain specific to that site. The data collected through this domain is stored in a jailed environment accessible only to that domain’s account.
Does Analytics Backup conflict with Google Analytics reports?
No. Since Analytics Backup relies on the functionality built into the core Google Analytics tracking scripts and designed specifically for local data collection there is no conflict with Google Analytics data. What you will find is that Analytics Backup provides a convenient means to review and audit the data in your Google Analytics account since it uses the exact same data that Google Analytics reports are built on.
Can I extract a copy of my raw tracking data from Analytics Backup?
Absolutely! It’s your data – you own it, you control it. You can leave the data on the Analytics Backup platform or download it to your own environment and do whatever you want with it. A popular idea is to print out physical copies of all logfiles on a 1980’s era dot-matrix printer and use the prints to re-surface office walls. Nothing like being surrounded by data, right?
Do I need to buy Urchin Software to use Analytics Backup?
No. Since Analytics Backup is a specialized web hosting service that includes an Urchin profile for your convenience you don’t need to purchase a full Urchin license to use the Urchin profile feature.
Can I use Analytics Backup instead of buying an Urchin server license?
No. Analytics Backup is not an Urchin replacement. The Urchin add-on to Analytics Backup is provided as a means of making the specialized data hosting more useful, but it won’t double as a full-blown Urchin server. If you need the functionality of Urchin Software from Google you should consider a service like Urchin Hosted or simply purchase your own copy of Urchin from one of the Urchin Software Authorized Consultants.
Does my Urchin profile that comes with Analytics Backup support data export via the Urchin API?
At present Urchin API access is not supported. If you need access to your raw tracking data via the Urchin API we recommend you consider purchase of your own Urchin License and either setup a dedicated Urchin server or use the Urchin Hosted service which provides a hosted, dedicated Urchin environment without the hassle of installing Urchin within your own IT infrastructure.
How long is data retained in Analytics Backup?
By default raw tracking logs and Urchin profile data are retained for 24 months. This can be extended infinitely with the purchase of a data extension plan (purchased in 12-month intervals). Before raw data is purged you will be notified and provided the opportunity to download a copy for permanent archival. We also offer creation of physical data archive copies on imaged media (DVD) for a fee. Contact us if you anticipate the need for longer-term data storage than 24 months.
Is Analytics Backup affiliated with Google?
No. Analytics Backup is a service provided by an independent company, Analytics Pros, Inc. Analytics Pros are Google Analytics Authorized Consultants but there is no official affiliation between Analytics Backup and Google, Inc.
