Traffic analysis tools for websites
Data for Breakfast
© Lead Image © rawpixel, 123RF.com
If you are looking for an alternative to Google Analytics for studying website data, you can choose from a few free alternatives. In this article, we look at Piwik, Open Web Analytics, and eAnalytics.
Admins who wanted details of the visitors to their websites in the early years of the Internet had to laboriously read the web server's logs. The first log file analysis applications appeared 20 years ago. Analog [1], Webalizer [2] and AWStats [3], which date from this period, are still occasionally in use (see the "Simple Web Analytics Tools" box).
In 2005, Google launched Google Analytics (GA) [4], a website analysis service that is hugely popular today. Open source tools such as Piwik [5] picked up on this trend towards graphical web analytics, but moved its focus to the customer's own server.
With the help of web analytics, site operators collect and evaluate data on the surfing habits of their visitors. The access data are of interest not only for commercial reasons; the companies behind the sites also often seek to better understand their customers and their interests. The following applies: The closer an operator knows the visitors and their preferences, the better the operator can optimize its offerings to suit the target group.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.