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Do Google analytics or any other analytics tools slower down the speed of a website?

by chanchal kumari
3 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi,
I need 2 analytics tools to be installed on my content marketing website.
I was wondering whether these tools can slow down my website's speed.

Please help.
#analytics #google #slower #speed #tools #website
  • Profile picture of the author MarketMeh
    Hi there!

    There are those who believe that Google Analytics does slow a website down while there are people who believe it does not.

    Let me present the two sides so you can decide for yourself:

    Side 1

    Google's Official Statement / https://www.google.com/analytics /

    "The appearance of your website will never be affected by your use of Google Analytics - we don't place any images or text on your pages. Likewise, the performance of your pages won't be impacted, with the possible exception of the very first page-load after you have added the tracking code. This first pageview calls the JavaScript on Google's servers, which may take slightly longer than a regular page load. Subsequent pageviews will use cached data and will not be affected."

    Side 2

    Any additional calls to scripts WILL slow down your site. So,given that the code given by Google Analytics is a script in itself, it can potentially slow a site down.

    However, Google Analytics instructs you to place the code in a specific place so that it isn't loaded until the page has loaded. (It used to be before the </body> tag but I believe it's now supposed to be the last <script> in the <head> tag.) Don't worry about it too much; the benefits of analytics will far outweigh the extra call to a remote file.

    Also, I see that you want to use 2 analytics tool. DON'T DO IT.

    Do not employ more than one analytics solution unless you are trying to find the best one to suit your needs. Using more than one CAN and WILL slow your site down.

    Some tracking tools currently available beside Google Analytics:

    Piwik
    Webtrends
    GoingUp!
    Yahoo! Web Analytics

    Hope I could help!

    Cheers

    MM
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  • Profile picture of the author chanchal kumari
    Hi MarketMeh,
    Thanks for the quick and elaborated reply.
    Actually, there are some metrics which are not covered by Google analytics.
    Thats why we are looking for one more metric.

    So, can you suggest an analytic tool which can cover at least 95% of metrics of a good website?


    Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    Yes. They will slow down the loading of a site, but honestly, the speed is really not a ranking factor if that is what you are worried about.

    I know, Google says it looks at load time, but I have seen no credible evidence of it impacting rankings unless your site takes forever to load.
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