WebProNews

Since 2005, Urchin Software hasn’t had an update to the 5.7 version. Now the software and Google Analytics will be upgrading and adding new features. Google recently announced the changes would be coming in the next few weeks.

WebProNews talked with frequent speaker at Search Engine Strategies, Greg Jarboe, President and Co-Founder of SEO-PR. Jarboe said, “The old version was very robust for a free web analytics package,” going on to say, “there is always a position on the market for free.”

The first new tool to be added is a Search Site Report. This feature will allow you to determine what keywords and keyword refinements are being searched on your site, along with much more.

Brett Crosby, senior manager of Google Analytics said, “The site search tool is designed to apply Google-like features to searches of internal Web sites. The search tool will allow Web site operators to identify keywords, categories, products and trends across time and user segments to help companies measure the effectiveness of the site and marketing efforts.”

The second new feature is Event Tracking on Google Analytics. This tool will help users understand how people interact with Ajax, Flash videos, and other multimedia options like videos.

The third new addition is an outbound link-tracking feature, which will report what links visitors clicked through. This will be especially helpful for advertisers who want to see if their advertisements are pulling in viewers.

The final change comes into play with Urchin Software. The brother software to Google Analytics hasn’t been updated since Google purchased the software in 2004. Google plans to release the new 6.0 in the upcoming weeks.

Yet a lot of critics are asking why the new additions don’t incorporate Adsense into any of the features more. Eric Ward, link development specialist talked to WebProNews about his feelings on the older version of Analytics. He said you couldn’t really complain about not having certain features when the service is free.

Jarboe made sure to point out that Microsoft recently revealed their free Web analytics package. So perhaps this will bring more competition?

Most of the versions are being tested in Beta at this time, but for more information on the new features to Google Analytics, you can watch the video right here on WebProNews.