13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How I use Google Analytics with a free WordPress.COM (not WordPress) blog

by Jono47
5 replies
  • SEO
    • |
As an analytics guy and a newcomer to wordpress.com I really wanted to get Google Analytics running on my blog. As many of you know, it's not possible unless you do your own WordPress hosting.

UPDATE: Just to be clear, WordPress.COM is a free hosted blog platform that runs WordPress, but it has restrictions on what you can do. For bloggers that self-host WordPress (and therefore don't use the WordPress.com service) it's easy to add Google Analytics, either directly or through a plugin. This link explains the differences: en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

In any case, there appears to be a solution for bloggers on the WordPress.com platform. I read about the idea on the WordPress.com forums and thought I'd give it a try. It's not perfect by any means and honestly, you need to be a little technical to set it up, but it's the only option I know. I've been using it quite happily for a couple months now and believe it would be workable for many. I'm pretty sure there are WordPress.com bloggers who could get this going in 5 to 10 minutes. If you'd like to know what's involved you can read my post detailing the experience, the steps involved in setting it up, and the pros and cons on my blog (just click the link in my signature).
#analytics #blog #google #google analytics #wordpress #wordpress.com #wordpresscom
  • Profile picture of the author Warrior X
    Well you could use www.blogger.com and get it automatically. But in the long run I'd say it's much better to own your own site on your own domain, no?

    --Jeremy
    Signature
    #1 In WHITEBOARD VIDEOS - Great Way To Tell Your Story!
    Available Here
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6287515].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alamest
    It is very simple, follow my process below..

    1) Go to google analytics first
    2) Add your website to it..
    3) When you add your website in Google analytic they will instantly give you a Tracking code.
    4) Copy that code.
    5) Go to your wordpress back office and go to Apprence and select editor
    6) Check for header.php file in the right and click on it.
    7) Look for this code </head> in the header.php, remember Google analytic gave you a code just add the code before the </head> tag and update it.
    8) Give 24 hours time for Google to find the code in your website..

    Than you can track everything of your website.. I hope this helps..
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6287553].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Jono47
      Hi TrustedCopy. I'm only addressing people that use a free WordPress.com blog as this is the blogging platform I'm using and it doesn't allow you to use Google Analytics. You're absolutely right that there are other platforms that do allow you to use it. It's definitely better to use your own domain if you want to build up SEO value for your brand. I actually thought blogger.com supported using your own domain. Am I mistaken?

      Alamest, thanks for the comment. It sounds like you're referring to a self-hosted WordPress blog. As you explain, it's pretty easy to add Google Analytics to this type of blog - in fact, there are a number of plugins that make it even easier. I'm referring to a blog hosted for free on WordPress.COM. This is a little different because their platform is tightly controlled and doesn't allow plugins or modifications of the type that you describe. The difference between WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress blogs is described on this page: en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/. As far as I know, the solution I described above is the only option for getting Google Analytics to run on a WordPress.com blog.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6297820].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Nickro
    Go to wordpress panel , search plugins " Google ANalytics " and you will find a plugin .

    The only thing that you have to do is to add the tracking code that you get when you register at google.com/analytics .

    easy peasy ...
    Signature
    Funny pics
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6297936].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pamon
    good notes above. .com wordpress blogs are nice for traffic/seo but not if you want to make $$ from it.
    Signature

    Freelance Writer & Blogger For Hire. US based. Awesome Rates. Check out http://about.me/davidamodt for samples & more.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6298914].message }}

Trending Topics