I am frequently asked by customers, business partners and online colleagues about how best to analyse their websites. Are there free versions that anyone could use to tell just what is going on with their particular websites? What features do some of these services offer and how reliable are they? These as well as other questions will be answered and hopefully provide the readership with a solid foundation upon which to grow your online business.

So exactly what services are out there, you’re probably wondering? I’ve outline a few for you here, in no particular order, to give you further insight into how you can get your website ready to compete with the heavy-hitters in your particular industry.

1. Woorank – A very user friendly website analysis tool designed to leverage search engines. It’s currently in its beta version. Wookrank allows you to input your website url into its custom search-like bar and outputs pertinent information regarding your website’s overall structure. Coding, SEO, Geo-tagging and whois information is just some of the information that can be gleaned from a Woorank analysis. Woorank offers a pdf version of your analysis printout as well as a paid version with greater capabilities. There is also a Chrome extension that makes it even easier to visit a competing website and gain insight into what your competition is up to. This is definitely a company to keep in your radar.
2. Google Analytics – Google’s free solution to gaining statistical data for your online business. Google Analytics allows for the measurement of your online advertising campaigns, website visit statistics and customized reporting. The Interface takes some getting use to, however, as there are a plethora of configuration options. Its best to use Google Analytics knowing, first hand, what your business objects are. As usual, Google offers an Analytics support database, as well as training/certification program for their Analytics suite.
3. Google Website Optimizer – Excellent software for the beginner as well as intermediate and advanced webmaster. This software platform allows for the testing and optimization of website content. How it works is website owners can submit variations on website content and begin to test this via a live website. The uses for software of this nature a limitless. The GWO is a very powerful application that gives insight on what pages and content strategies drive the most online conversions. This software should be a staple to any online marketing arsenal.
4. W3Schools Markup Validation – A very handy tool to test the markup code for one’s website. One of the best functions that I’ve found useful is the option to fix one’s code after initial testing. The W3Schools online organization also offers free tutorials and coding classes, as well as certification, in various website coding disciplines. This site is highly recommended.
5. W3Schools CSS Validation –  Another useful validation tool from the W3Schools online organization. This tool allows for the validation and testing of your websites cascading style sheets. Aside from regular html or xhtml code, a lot of the structure to a website is orchestrated via CSS coding. Certain elements of a website like color and margins, as an example, can be stylized via CSS. If your CSS code is off in places, your website won’t display correctly. This W3Schools CSS validator is an excellent addition to whay you may be using already.

To your continued success,

Eric Nathaniel Jones

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