Google Analytics pros and Cons for Aff Sites via PPC

[golles]

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We are a paid search affiliate.

We use google analytics on many of our landing pages / sites / portals. Traffic is driven 95% via paid search.

I know a lot of paid search affiliates are wary of using google analytics, for the obvious reasons of Google having all of your data from the click through to conversion and how they could leverage that data either now or in the future.

But looking at it another way google could also start using penalties on sites that do not use google analytics (they are not, that we know of - this is hypothetical, and looking to the future) - either by way of slightly increased cpc, lower quality score - etc.

I would appreciate any paid search affilates thoughts, either way.

Bottom line - we are thinking of changing (away from google analytics) but would like to do it with a bit of informed research behind us - not a knee jerk.

Also for those not using google analytics, what are the alternatives - frankly it is hard to beat for the price point (i.e. £0) from our research (not that we mind paying - but it must be equal or better than googles offering).

Thanks in advance for the input.

[moredial]

As you have not had any replies .....

The only way to get meaningful visitor stats is to have a script which runs when the page is opened via a browser. It makes little difference, other than that you are giving the information away, if you host the script on your own server or pay someone else for the privilege.

There is no security in relying on a javascript to give you this information. So many browsers now block 3rd party scripts that this method is going to become less reliable in the future.

To my mind, it seems wrong to be paying someone a fee for one service and then to give them free marketing information that they use to improve their turnover. Does this help to keep the cost down of make it easier to put you into the 'doorway page' group who are charged more for the PPC because you are not directing people to the final destination page?

If you have 2 sites, the obvious is to drop g-a on one and see where that takes you.

[Stellar]

I have discovered and just installed Piwik - Web analytics - Open source

It is like Google Analytics, but its open source and all the data stays in your own database. My first impression is that it is superb! :tup

I had the same concerns as yourself when using GA.

[memzbiz]

try this one:- Weppos.com

[keemo]

I think google analytics is pretty good but if you're unsure about the implications of google having access to your data, then depending on your budget and needs you can choose from the following:
Free: statcounter, sitemeter, microsoft analytics
Paid: webtrends, omniture, coremetrics.

If that doesn't help then PM me with you website address and the sort of info you're after for tracking purposes and I'll see how I can help

[brandmantra]

statcounter is also a good site.