Data driven marketing : How to gain relevant insights through Google Analytics

Abstract: In this report, problems regarding the retrieving, measuring, and analysis of data when analysing marketing effects in the web analytics tool Google Analytics will be discussed. A correct setup, configuration, maintenance, campaign tracking and the understanding of the data in Google Analytics is essential to be able to achieve relevant insights. This is important since many Swedish marketing departments experience issues related to their setup of Google Analytics as well as the ongoing configuration and maintenance. A literature study has been conducted to gather information, focusing on collecting theories from researchers and experts in the field of web analytics and marketing analytics. Google Analytics data and reports from several Swedish companies have been studied to gain a deep understanding of how the tool is used for the measuring and analysis of the marketing effects. Interviews with marketing department and media bureau/agency employees have been conducted and analysed in a qualitative manner. A thematic analysis of the interviews has been done, resulting in 8 themes which are presented in the result section. The result has been analysed and discussed in relation to the theory. The interviews showed that there is a difference in knowledge and experience between the senior and junior analysts, and that there is a significant learning curve when working in Google Analytics. The junior analysts trusted the data, and did not know about campaign tracking and filters, in contrast to the senior analysts, who did not trust the data as a control mechanism, and did work with campaign tracking and filters. Furthermore, the senior analysts had more understanding of the data models in Google Analytics, such as attribution models, which are known to show different stories based on which attribution model is being used. The conclusions are four capabilities that address a need for more and better control over the setup and over the data, a wider use of campaign tracking, and wider knowledge of the data and the data models in Google Analytics, and of the business the organisation is conducting, to be able to gain relevant insights.