Any business has to engage in some form of analyzing to ensure that the business is up to par. Online businesses are no different, and in many cases it is easier to analyze how well an online business is working compared to a traditional brick and mortar. Here are eight tried and true tools that will work to help you with analyzing your business.

1. Google Analytics – Most people know about GA; they use it on their blog or website to get some insight in how well their websites are doing. If you can figure out how to use it effectively, it has a lot to offer. You might need a professional to help you make use of it at more than a basic level. However, it’s a great tool that most online businesses should use since Google is still the number one search engine.

Link – http://www.google.com/analytics/

2. Spring Metrics – This analytics tool is focused on turning leads into customers. This system helps you capture email addresses as well as break down your visitors by location, source, and more. It’s amazing software that can take your business to levels never before considered. However, it is pricy and will require a personalized demo and quote.

Link – http://www.springmetrics.com/

3. Accounting Software – QuickBooks is essentially the standard for accounting software for small businesses, and this business tool will help you analyze your business. This takes printing reports to a whole new level.

Link – http://www.sleeter.com/blog/2014/02/quickbooks-business-analytics-biztools/

4. Woopra – If you need real-time customer activity monitoring, this is the app for you. You can tell what your visitors are doing the moment they get to your site and where they’re from, even before they subscribe.

Link – https://www.woopra.com/

5. Clicky – You can use this free on one site to see real-time traffic on your website and get reports for historical data, too. Upgrade to the pro version for more features and more websites. You do have to install it on your website to make it work, but visitors will not see it.

Link – http://clicky.com/

6. KISSmetrics – Use these analytics along with Google to optimize your marketing efforts to get more sales and conversions for any website or blog. They have price points for almost every size business.

Link – https://www.kissmetrics.com/

7. Hostanalytics – Accounting is very important and the finances of your business are essential to making it last and work. This is for a larger business, but as you grow you should consider keeping a close eye on finances to ensure continued success.

Link – http://www.hostanalytics.com/

8. Qlik – This analytics tool is different in that it’s a desktop Windows app that allows you to see interactive data as it’s starting. You can even use it free. It has many interesting features that are very intuitive to use to help you take your business to the next level.

http://www.qlik.com/

Also, remember that many applications that you use for your business offer internal business intelligence solutions. Check them out to see if they give you the insights that you need to know to make your business run effectively. Staying ahead of the numbers is necessary to notice trends and to help push sales higher or avoid a problem.