Analytics Solutions- Omniture vs Google

Updated 5-4-2011
Site Catalyst version 15 is in the process of being rolled out so this article will be updated again shortly.


Reporting Speed	Lapse in data - Data batch processed about hourly	About real-time tracking
Customer Support	Phone: Available for Google Partners only Communities, Forums	Phone: 24-5 all customers Communities, Forums Account manager
User Interface	Intuitive, easy for new users	Advanced and Customizable but takes some training
Instant Segmentation	Yes	(available with purchase of Discover)
Classifications	Not available	One of the most powerful features of the solution
Security	Google owns the data	Data belongs to you
Cookies	Customizable, First party cookie	Customizable, First and Third Party cookie
Campaign Tracking	Only 4 variables	Unlimited through classifications
Mobile Analytics	Devices, Carriers	Devices, Manufacturer, Screen Size, Cookie Support, Image Support, Color Depth, Audio/Video Support, DRM, Net Protocols, OS, Java Version, Bookmark URL Length, Mail URL Length, Browser URL Length, Device Number Transmit, PTT, Decoration Mail Support, Information Services
Events	Conversion events update	30 Custom events on top of e-commerece events
Pathing	A few limited pathing reports	22 different Pathing reports
Unique Visitor	Absolute Unique Calculatation technique of uniques	Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly Calculatation technique of uniques, 2nd article
Data Integration	API	API Open Data Sources architecture for importing offline metrics Integration with Vendors (Genesis, additional cost)
Excel Integration	Reporting	Reporting Excel Client- allows manipulation and interaction with data in Excel
SEM Integration	Adwords reporting integration Automated Adwords bidding	Automation through Marketing Channel report (Bidding automation through Search Center product at additional cost)
Dashboards	Customizable dashboard	Many Customizable dashboards options User control and sharing

Google Analytics and Omniture's SiteCatalyst are both distinguished solutions for web analytics insight. They can provide business intelligence to determine return on investment and the ability to employ powerful optimization strategies. Each solution has strengths and weaknesses.

Google has an intuitive user interface, instant segmentation, and SEM integration. The user interface is easy to use. New users and those that are new to analytics in general can easily begin using the platform. It is apparent much attention is paid to user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). The instant segmentation provides rapid data break downs that make segmented reporting available and efficient. Omniture customers must purchase a separate product, Discover, to attain this functionality.

Omniture excels with customization, data classification, reporting accuracy, customer support, and integration. Rich customization sets designed to fit any set of requirements allow SiteCatalyst to achieve superior levels of robust functionality. Classifications allow relational data points for exponential reporting options that can be changed retroactively. Omniture offers several methods of improving data accuracy. Image pixels to circumvent the reliance upon JavaScript, as well as several development libraries to pass data server side. The customer support is readily available through account managers and support reps. Data manipulation through excel client, API integration, access to raw data through Data Warehouse (additional cost), and importing data through Data sources allow for immense integration.

Conclusion

Before making a choice of analytics packages one must look into the resources available to dedicate to the solution and measurement requirements well defined up front. The most important question to ask is, "Do I have enough resources dedicated to assessing and improving my site(s)?" This is where money can be wasted on an underutilized resource. An internal resource or external contractor/agency is needed for SiteCatalyst to truly be effective, ideally at least one dedicated web analyst.

A blend of both reporting platforms is ideal for arming an enterprise with the insight needed to most effectively optimize.

Sources:

http://web-analytics-software.findthebest.com/compare/1-22/Google-Analytics-vs-Site-Catalyst

http://www.haiensheng.com/blog/analyzethis/2009/jan/omniture-sitecatalyst-vs-google-analytics
http://www.trendingupward.net/2008/11/omniture-google-analytics/
http://actionable-analytics.com/2009/05/google-analytics-vs-omniture-site-catalyst/
http://chasesagum.com/6-reasons-i-prefer-google-analytics-over-omniture
http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/Omniture-Vs.-Google-Analytics.html
http://afshe.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/omniture-vs-google-analytics/
http://www.webanablog.com/2010/01/07/omniture-google-yahoo-analytics-com...
http://www.riseinteractive.com/blog/2010/05/07/omniture-sitecatalyst-vs-...
http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2108307/Top-10-Web-Analytics-Myths-Dispelled

Note* both products continually update their feature sets. This will be regularly updated.

Analytics vs Omniture

Submitted by Matt Costel (not verified) on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 19:12.

Well, to learn Google Analytics it's easy. You can learn from blogs, youtube video tutorials and even from Lynda video tutorials. It gets better and better. I tried at least 10 different analytics systems and... Google is the best and now it has a new interface too! Costicanuhttp://www.firmawebdesign.net

Omniture increases data points

Submitted by topcweb on Fri, 11/26/2010 - 16:09.

Adobe Omniture has increased the amount of conversion variables and events available:- 30 traffic variables (props)- 30 Conversion variables (eVars)- 80 Custom events

Update GA section - Response

Submitted by topcweb on Tue, 10/26/2010 - 23:46.

An update has been made to address the issues brought up in the post by 'A.' Work is still being done to create wiki functionality to encourage collaboration. Fortunately for all of us these organizations are always updating the product offerings and functionality. This presents an issue to ensure that this data is as accurate as possible. We are devoted to making sure we provide information that will help others.

Apologies for allowing this

Submitted by topcweb on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 23:22.

Apologies for allowing this article to contain information that does not follow the highest standard of accuracy and reliability that we are trying to uphold. This article will be converted into a wiki in order to encourage collaboration for keeping the content up to date. There is a current search for assistance in maintenance and creation of content. Please contact if you or someone you know shares a passion for research and development of online solutions and or business intelligence.

Update GA section?

Submitted by A (not verified) on Fri, 09/24/2010 - 15:34.

Hello, Please update the Google Analytics portion.. its very out of date.I work in Google Analytics and my company is taking over a website with Omniture running. We are trying to decide if we should remove it and keep with our company's standard analytics solution -GA or keep Omniture. From reading your article, its clear the GA section needs to be updated.Customer Support- Phone, if you are a Partner, oh and the forums are quick to reply with actual Googlers.Cookies -180 daysCampaign Tracking- best idea here to to work with page tracking/event tracking. That opens up the options with simple code insert.Mobile- has device, etcEvents- 20 on top of e-commerce basics (sales view sku product title etc)Unique Visitor- every metric has unique totals.Data Integration - look at Intelligence for this... its there.Dashboard- fully customizable, has been for some time (over 1 year)Multi-media- common feature.Thank youA

Urchin is still available...

Submitted by Damon Weinstein (not verified) on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 13:14.

One of the biggest bullets in this list is that Google owns the data versus I own the data. A bit of investigation shows that - for $3000 you can still purchase the latest version of Urchin (the engine behind google analytics) - and still own the data - even while being fully compatible (page params) with Google Analytics...

Custom Events and SearchCenter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 11:23.

SiteCatalyst actually has up to 80 custom events on top of e-commerce events.Although SearchCenter is an extra cost, it should be noted that it allows you to integrate with much more than AdWords, including Yahoo, Bing, MIVA, LookSmart, Ask, Baidu, etc. A new integration with Facebook was released as well just last week.

A few more items to consider...

Submitted by Adam Greco (not verified) on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 00:36.

Here are a few more items to consider: Unlimited PathingAnother important thing to note is that SiteCatalyst allows you to enable all pathing reports on any variable, not just pages. This can be very powerful. UniquesGA can to "Absolute Uniques" which SiteCatalyst cannot. SiteCatalyst can show "Uniques" on any variable which GA cannot. 3rd Party IntegrationsThis may be another category to compare the two solutions. GA has an App Gallery, while SiteCatalyst has many Genesis integrations. Offline DataOne of the cool features that SiteCatalyst has that GA does not (to my knowledge) is the abiilty to connect offline data to onlien data (Transaction ID - http://blogs.omniture.com/2009/01/28/transaction-id-inside-omniture-site...). This can be very important to businesses that do not sell online. AlertsI would give the edge to GA in the area of proactive alerts via the Intelligence feature, but SiteCatalyst alerts can be powerful in different ways...