Google Analytics Tracking Outbound Link - External Link

Google Analytic is a best free tracking system for website, i'm sure. All the actions (visit, page view, time on site, etc...) are tracked. It is really useful for webmaster and web owner.

There is one question was raising when i working in Hotel Nikko Saigon "How to track booking action from Nikko Saigon's website to Booking Engine by Google Analytic?".

This is the result after tracking outbound link:

Google Analytic - Tracking outbound link

There are 2 or 3 difference ways to do that but now i just demo my way.

The idea is: you must capture the click action on the outbound link. Meanwhile, when user click on the outbound link, the website will record this action before it goes out.

So first of all we need to create a function to track:

function recordOutboundLink(category, action) {

_gat._getTrackerByName()._trackEvent(category, action);

} 

 

function goURL(url){

 recordOutboundLink('Outbound Links','/ext/abc');

}

 

Event Category & Action

 

 

This code must be put after the Google Analytic's tracking code like this:

 

The main function is fine. Now you just put the javascript to your link to call this function before it goes out.

a href=javascript:goURL('http://google.com')

Ok. Coding is done. Next we move to Google Analytic

Click on the Setting icon on the top right in Google Analytic

Select "Advanced Segments" ---> "New Segments" and setting like below

Create new Advanced Segments

Following step is back to the Standard Reporting  and click on the Advanced Segment is right below the Standard Reporting menu.

Advanced Segments

Select "All visits" and "Outbound Links".

Enjoy the result

Google Analytic - Tracking outbound link

If you want to view only the Tracking Outbound, go to Event on the left menu. They stay there waiting for you.

^_^