Web Site Statistics - Hit's versus Visitors

100,000 Hits? 500,000 Hits? While they look impressive, don't be confused into thinking big numbers like 100,000 hits means a web site is drawing thousands of visitors it's simply not the case.

The number of hits a web site receives relates to the number of files or images downloaded from a web site not the number of visitors.

As an example, let's say that your web site is designed using 100 small images on each page and you also use a couple of scripts to gather information and ensure the site run properly. In this scenario, if 1 person visted your index page(and nothing else) this would equal around 110 hits. If you had more images, scripts or files on that page then the number of hits would be higher again and so on.

Reporting hits is an all to common marketing strategy designed to confuse small business owners into thinking either their web site is working or, that they should advertise on a particular online directory. Webmasters using this strategy may design the particular site with hundreds of tiny, 'invisable' images to ensure the hits will look impressive, then sit at their computer hitting refresh or reload to drive the numbers up.

The most common and most accurate way of tracking (and reporting) web site traffic is by unique visitors or unique daily visitors. Depeneding on the statistical software used, the webmaster may also be able to screen out search engine spiders to provide an even more accurate number.

If someone has suggested to you that you pay them money to advertise on their web site, be sure to ask for the number of unique visitors the site attracts every month, before reaching for your cheque book.