How to Compare Web Hits

Web-based traffic counters make comparing Web hits easier.

Web hits represent the traffic, or visitors, to a particular website or Web page. Adding a traffic counter to the Web page will allow the owner of the site to keep track of how many visitors he has.

Using a Hit Counter

A hit counter keeps track of the visitors to a website. The number can be reset to zero if the website owner wishes to reset it. He may choose, instead, to leave the counter running and simply write down the number displayed each day. For accuracy, this should be logged at the same time every day for a direct comparison with previous days' counter values and for future reference.

Two Different Sites

If someone wished to compare Web hits on two different sites, this could also utilize hit counters. Again, log the value displayed on each counter at the same time each day. The following day's value is then compared with the previous day(s) and retained for future comparisons. To compare between the two sites or pages, log the values around the same time every day and write them down side by side for easy comparison.

Web Hits on Videos

Video sites such as YouTube have counters on the videos that users upload. This value cannot be reset by the user, but if she wishes to compare the hits for a video from one day to the next, she can write down the counter's value at the same time each day and compare to previous days' values.

No-Reset Counters

Counters that cannot be reset or are not reset can still provide useful information. To calculate the number of new visitors to a site, write down the counter's value around the same time each day. Then subtract the previous day's value from the present day's value. The difference is the number of new hits to that particular Web page or site.

Web-Based Comparisons

Websites such as Compete.com (see References) allow users to create accounts and enter their websites into a form. The form creates a comparison of the Web hits for the site(s) entered.

References

• Expression-Web-Tutorial.com
• Compete.com