Rocket Clicks’ Google Analytics Classroom: Analyzing New vs Returning Visitors

Optimizing Google Analytics to Increase Revenue: New vs Returning Visitors

Figure 1. Overall Website Traffic – New vs Returning Visitors

The graph above shows that over 70% of the visitors coming to this website are new visitors while 30% of the visitors are returning visitors.  This data alone does not tell you much about how you should be marketing your website, but when you look at the next graph, Revenue from Visitors, it opens your eye to how these visitors are using your website to purchase. 

Figure 2. Revenue from New vs Returning Visitors

This graph shows the percentage af revenue that can be attributed to new and returning visitors.  Knowing where your revenue comes from makes you one step closer to figuring out how you should spend your mareketing dollars. The biggest insight when looking at both graphs is that over 64% of the revenue is driven by returning visitors, which make up only 29% of overall traffic.  The data tells me that a marginal amount of visitors purchase on their first visit.  The majority of purcases happen on subsequent visits. Big Action Take Away Knowing that the majority of visitors purchase on follow up visits, give the visitor a reason to come back to the website.  This could be accomplised through newsletter signups, free offers, coupons after checkout, and offering valued customer discounts.  If you have social networking pages like Facebook or Twitter, offer the visitor to sign up and become a “Fan” or “Follower”.

How Do I Get This Report?

1. Once logged into the Google Analytics account, clicks on the Visitors tab on the left.
2. From the Visitors menu, click the New vs Returning link.
3. Now you are looking at Figure 1 that is shown above.
4. To view the Revenue data ( Figure 2 ), click the Ecommerce tab right above the pie chart.

If you’re interested in learning more about what Rocket Clicks can do for your pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, website design and development, or law firm marketing, please check out our PPC services and SEO services or schedule a quick audit today.