Sur d’autres sites (6066)

• Hung out to dry

  31 mai 2013, par Mans — Law and liberty

  Outrage was the general reaction when Google recently announced their dropping of XMPP server-to-server federation from Hangouts, as the search giant’s revamped instant messaging platform is henceforth to be known. This outrage is, however, largely unjustified ; Google’s decision is merely a rational response to issues of a more fundamental nature. To see why, we need to step back and look at the broader instant messaging landscape.

  A brief history of IM

  The term instant messaging (IM) gained popularity in the mid-1990s along with the rise of chat clients such as ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, and later MSN Messenger. These all had one thing in common : they were closed systems. Although global in the sense of allowing access from anywhere on the Internet, communication was possible only within each network, and only using the officially sanctioned client software. Contrast this with email, where users are free to choose any service provider as well as client software, inter-server communication over open protocols delivering messages to their proper destinations.

  The email picture has, however, not always been so rosy. During the 1970s and 80s a multitude of incompatible email systems (e.g. UUCP and X.400) were in more or less widespread use on various networks. As these networks gave way to the ARPANET/Internet, so did their mail systems to the SMTP email we all use today. A similar consolidation has yet to occur in the area of instant messaging.

  Over the years, a few efforts towards a cross-domain instant messaging have been undertaken. One early example is the Zephyr system created as part of Project Athena at MIT in the late 1980s. While it never saw significant uptake, it is still in use at a few universities. A more successful story is that of XMPP. Conceived under the name Jabber in the late 1990s, XMPP is an open standard specified in a set of IETF RFCs. In addition to being open, a distinguishing feature of XMPP compared to other contemporary IM systems is its decentralised nature, server-to-server connections allowing communication between users with accounts on different systems. Just like email.

  The social network

  A more recent emergence on the Internet is the social network. Although not the first of its kind, Facebook was the first to achieve its level of penetration, both geographically and across social groups. A range of messaging options, including email-style as well as instant messaging (chat), are available, all within the same web interface. What it does not allow is communication outside the Facebook network. Other social networks operate in the same spirit.

  The popularity of social networks, to the extent that they for many constitute the primary means of communication, has in a sense brought back fragmented networks of the 1980s. Even though they share infrastructure, up to and including the browser application, the social networks create walled-off regions of the Internet between which little or no exchange is possible.

  The house that Google built

  In 2005, Google launched Talk, an XMPP-based instant messaging service allowing users to connect using either Google’s official client application or any third-party XMPP client. Soon after, server-to-server federation was activated, enabling anyone with a Google account to exchange instant messages with users of any other federated XMPP service. An in-browser chat interface was also added to Gmail.

  It was arguably only with the 2011 introduction of Google+ that Google, despite its previous endeavours with Orkut and Buzz, had a viable contender in the social networking space. Since its inception, Google+ has gone through a number of changes where features have been added or reworked. Instant messaging within Google+ was until recently available only in mobile clients. On the desktop, the sole messaging option was Hangouts which, although featuring text chat, cannot be considered instant messaging in the usual sense.

  With a sprawling collection of messaging systems (Talk, Google+ Messenger, Hangouts), some action to consolidate them was a logical step. What we got was a unification under the Hangouts name. A redesigned Google+ now sports in-browser instant messaging similar the the Talk interface already present in Gmail. At the same time, the standalone desktop Talk client is discontinued, as is the Messenger feature in mobile Google+. All together, the changes make for a much less confusing user experience.

  The sky is falling down

  Along with the changes to the messaging platform, one announcement stoked anger on the Internet : Google’s intent to discontinue XMPP federation (as of this writing, it is still operational). Google, the (self-described) champions of openness on the Internet were seen to be closing their doors to the outside world. The effects of the change are, however, not quite so earth-shattering. Of the other major messaging networks to offer XMPP at all (Facebook, Skype, and the defunct Microsoft Messenger), none support federation ; a Google user has never been able to chat with a Facebook user.

  XMPP federation appears to be in use mainly by non-profit organisations or individuals running their own servers. The number of users on these systems is hard to assess, though it seems fair to assume it is dwarfed by the hundreds of millions using Google or Facebook. As such, the overall impact of cutting off communication with the federated servers is relatively minor, albeit annoying for those affected.

  A fragmented world

  Rather than chastising Google for making a low-impact, presumably founded, business decision, we should be asking ourselves why instant messaging is still so fragmented in the first place, whereas email is not. The answer can be found by examining the nature of entities providing these services.

  Ever since the commercialisation of the Internet started in the 1990s, email has been largely seen as being part of the Internet. Access to email was a major selling point for Internet service providers ; indeed, many still use the email facilities of their ISP. Instant messaging, by contrast, has never come as part of the basic offering, rather being a third-party service running on top of the Internet.

  Users wishing to engage in instant messaging have always had to seek out and sign up with a provider of such a service. As the IM networks were isolated, most would choose whichever service their friends were already using, and a small number of networks, each with a sustainable number of users, came to dominate. In the early days, dedicated IM services such as ICQ were popular. Today, social networks have taken their place with Facebook currently in the dominant position. With the new Hangouts, Google offers its users the service they want in the way they have come to expect.

  Follow the money

  We now have all the pieces necessary to see why inter-domain instant messaging has never taken off, and the answer is simple : the major players have no commercial incentive to open access to their IM networks. In fact, they have good reason to keep the networks closed. Ensuring that a person leaving the network loses contact with his or her friends, increases user retention by raising the cost of switching to another service. Monetising users is also better facilitated if they are forced to remain on, say, Facebook’s web pages while using its services rather than accessing them indirectly, perhaps even through a competing (Google, say) frontend. The users do not generally care much, since all their friends are already on the same network as themselves.

  While Google Talk was a standalone service, only loosely coupled to other Google products, these aspects were of lesser importance. After all, Google still had access to all the messages passing through the system and could analyse them for advert targeting purposes. Now that messaging is an integrated part of Google+, and thus serves as a direct competitor to the likes of Facebook, the situation has changed. All the reasons for Facebook not to open its network now apply equally to Google as well.

• Nexus One

  19 mars 2010, par Mans — Uncategorized

  I have had a Nexus One for about a week (thanks Google), and naturally I have an opinion or two about it.
  

  Hardware

  With the front side dominated by a touch-screen and a lone, round button, the Nexus One appearance is similar to that of most contemporary smartphones. The reverse sports a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, a Google logo, and a smaller HTC logo. Power button, volume control, and headphone and micro-USB sockets are found along the edges. It is with appreciation I note the lack of a front-facing camera ; the silly idea of video calls is finally put to rest.

  Powering up the phone (I’m beginning to question the applicability of that word), I am immediately enamoured with the display. At 800×480 pixels, the AMOLED display is crystal-clear and easily viewable even in bright light. In a darker environment, the display automatically dims. The display does have one quirk in that the subpixel pattern doesn’t actually have a full RGB triplet for each pixel. The close-up photo below shows the pattern seen when displaying a solid white colour.

  

  The result of this is that fine vertical lines, particularly red or blue ones, look a bit jagged. Most of the time this is not much of a problem, and I find it an acceptable compromise for the higher effective resolution it provides.

  Basic interaction

  The Android system is by now familiar, and the Nexus offers no surprises in basic usage. All the usual applications come pre-installed : browser, email, calendar, contacts, maps, and even voice calls. Many of the applications integrate with a Google account, which is nice. Calendar entries, map placemarks, etc. are automatically shared between desktop and mobile. Gone is the need for the bug-ridden custom synchronisation software with which mobile phones of the past were plagued.

  Launching applications is mostly speedy, and recently used apps are kept loaded as long as memory needs allow. Although this garbage-collection-style of application management, where you are never quite sure whether an app is still running, takes a few moments of acclimatisation, it works reasonably well in day to day use. Most of the applications are well-behaved and save their data before terminating.

  Email

  Two email applications are included out of the box : one generic and one Gmail-only. As I do not use Gmail, I cannot comment on this application. The generic email client supports IMAP, but is rather limited in functionality. Fortunately, a much-enhanced version, K-9, is available for download. The main feature I find lacking here is threaded message view.

  The features, or lack thereof, in the email applications is not, however, of huge importance, as composing email, or any longer piece of text, is something one rather avoids on a system like this. The on-screen keyboard, while falling among the better of its kind, is still slow to use. Lack of tactile feedback means accidentally tapping the wrong key is easily done, and entering numbers or punctuation is an outright chore.

  Browser

  Whatever the Nexus lacks in email abilities, it makes up for with the browser. Surfing the web on a phone has never been this pleasant. Page rendering is quick, and zooming is fast and simple. Even pages not designed for mobile viewing are easy to read with smart reformatting almost entirely eliminating the sideways scrolling which hampered many a mobile browser of old.

  Calls and messaging

  Being a phone, the Nexus One is obviously able to make and receive calls, and it does so with ease. Entering a number or locating a stored contact are both straight-forward operations. During a call, audio is clear and of adequate loudness, although I have yet to use the phone in really noisy surroundings.

  The other traditional task of a mobile phone, messaging, is also well-supported. There isn’t really much to say about this.

  Multimedia

  Having a bit of an interest in most things multimedia, I obviously tested the capabilities of the Nexus by throwing some assorted samples at it, revealing ample space for improvement. With video limited to H.264 and MPEG4, and the only supported audio codecs being AAC, MP3, Vorbis, and AMR, there are many files which will not play.

  To make matters worse, only selected combinations of audio and video will play together. Several video files I tested played without sound, yet when presented with the very same audio data alone, it was correctly decoded. As for container formats, it appears restricted to MP4/MOV, and Ogg (for Vorbis). AVI files are recognised as media files, but I was unable to find an AVI file which would play.

  With a device clearly capable of so much more, the poor multimedia support is nothing short of embarrassing.

  The Market

  Much of the hype surrounding Android revolves around the Market, Google’s virtual marketplace for app authors to sell or give away their creations. The thousands of available applications are broadly categorised, and a search function is available.

  The categorised lists are divided into free and paid sections, while search results, disappointingly, are not. To aid the decision, ratings and comments are displayed alongside the summary and screenshots of each application. Overall, the process of finding and installing an application is mostly painless. While it could certainly be improved, it could also have been much worse.

  The applications themselves are, as hinted above, beyond numerous. Sadly, quality does not quite match up to quantity. The vast majority of the apps are pointless, though occasionally mildly amusing, gimmicks of no practical value. The really good ones, and they do exist, are very hard to find unless one knows precisely what to look for.

  Battery

  Packing great performance into a pocket-size device comes with a price in battery life. The battery in the Nexus lasts considerably shorter time than that in my older, less feature-packed Nokia phone. To some extent this is probably a result of me actually using it a lot more, yet the end result is the same : more frequent recharging. I should probably get used to the idea of recharging the phone every other night.

  Verdict

  The Nexus One is a capable hardware platform running an OS with plenty of potential. The applications are still somewhat lacking (or very hard to find), although the basic features work reasonably well. Hopefully future Android updates will see more and better core applications integrated, and I imagine that over time, I will find third-party apps to solve my problems in a way I like. I am not putting this phone on the shelf just yet.

• Top 4 CRO Tools to Boost Your Conversion Rates in 2024

  31 octobre 2023, par Erin

  Are you tired of watching potential customers leave your website without converting ? You’ve spent countless hours creating an engaging website, but those high bounce rates keep haunting you.

  The good news ? The solution lies in the transformative power of Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) tools. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of CRO tools. We will equip you with strategies to turn those bounces into conversions.

  Why are conversion rate optimisation tools so crucial ?

  CRO tools can be assets in digital marketing, playing a pivotal role in enhancing online businesses’ performance. CRO tools empower businesses to improve website conversion rates by analysing user behaviour. You can then leverage this user data to optimise web elements.

  Improving website conversion rates is paramount because it increases revenue and customer satisfaction. A study by VentureBeat revealed an average return on investment (ROI) of 223% thanks to CRO tools.

  173 marketers out of the surveyed group reported returns exceeding 1,000%. Both of these data points highlight the impact CRO tools can have.

  

  Coupled with CRO tools, certain testing tools and web analytics tools play a crucial role. They offer insight into user behaviour patterns, enabling businesses to choose effective strategies. By understanding what resonates with users, these tools help inform data-driven decisions. This allows businesses to refine online strategies and enhance the customer experience.

  CRO tools enhance user experiences and ensure business sustainability. Integrating these tools is crucial for staying ahead. CRO and web analytics work together to optimise digital presence. 

  Real-world examples of CRO tools in action

  In this section, we’ll explore real case studies showcasing CRO tools in action. See how businesses enhance conversion rates, user experiences, and online performance. These studies reveal the practical impact of data-driven decisions and user-focused strategies.

  

  Case study : How Matomo’s Form Analytics helped Concrete CMS 3x leads

  Concrete CMS, is a content management system provider that helps users build and manage websites. They used Matomo’s Form Analytics to uncover that users were getting stuck at the address input stage of the onboarding process. Using these insights to make adjustments to their onboarding form, Concrete CMS was able to achieve 3 times the amount of leads in just a few days.

  Read the full Concrete CMS case study.

  Best analytics tools for enhancing conversion rate optimisation in 2023

  Jump to the comparison table to see an overview of each tool.

  1. Matomo

  

  Matomo stands out as an all-encompassing tool that seamlessly combines traditional web analytics features (like pageviews and bounce rates) with advanced behavioural analytics capabilities, providing a full spectrum of insights for effective CRO.

  Key features

  • Heatmaps and Session Recordings :
    These features empower businesses to see their websites through the eyes of their visitors. By visually mapping user engagement and observing individual sessions, businesses can make informed decisions, enhance user experience and ultimately increase conversions. These tools are invaluable assets for businesses aiming to create user-friendly websites.

  • Form Analytics :
    Matomo’s Form Analytics offers comprehensive tracking of user interactions within forms. This includes covering input fields, dropdowns, buttons and submissions. Businesses can create custom conversion funnels and pinpoint form abandonment reasons. 

  • Users Flow :
    Matomo’s Users Flow feature tracks visitor paths, drop-offs and successful routes, helping businesses optimise their websites. This insight informs decisions, enhances user experience, and boosts conversion rates.

  • Surveys plugin :
    The Matomo Surveys plugin allows businesses to gather direct feedback from users. This feature enhances understanding by capturing user opinions, adding another layer to the analytical depth Matomo offers.

  • A/B testing :
    The platform allows you to conduct A/B tests to compare different versions of web pages. This helps determine which performs better in conversions. By conducting experiments and analysing the results within Matomo, businesses can iteratively refine their content and design elements.

  • Funnels :
    Matomo’s Funnels feature empower businesses to visualise, analyse and optimise their conversion paths. By identifying drop-off points, tailoring user experiences and conducting A/B tests within the funnel, businesses can make data-driven decisions that significantly boost conversions and enhance the overall user journey on their websites.

  Pros

  • Starting at $19 per month, Matomo is an affordable CRO solution.
  • Matomo guarantees accurate data, eliminating the need to fill gaps with artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning. 
  • Matomo’s open-source framework ensures enhanced security, privacy, customisation, community support and long-term reliability. 

  Cons

  • The On-Premise (self-hosted) version is free, with additional charges for advanced features.
  • Managing Matomo On-Premise requires servers and technical know-how.

  Try Matomo for Free

  Get the web insights you need, without compromising data accuracy.

  Start for free

  No credit card required

  2. Google Analytics

  

  Google Analytics provides businesses and website owners valuable insights into their online audience. It tracks website traffic, user interactions and analyses conversion data to enhance the user experience.

  While Google Analytics may not provide the extensive CRO-specific features found in other tools on this list, it can still serve as a valuable resource for basic analysis and optimisation of conversion rates.

  Key features

  • Comprehensive Data Tracking :
    Google Analytics meticulously tracks website traffic, user behaviour and conversion rates. These insights form the foundation for CRO efforts. Businesses can identify patterns, user bottlenecks and high-performing areas.

  • Real-Time Reporting :
    Access to real-time data is invaluable for CRO efforts. Monitor current website activity, user interactions, and campaign performance as they unfold. This immediate feedback empowers businesses to make instant adjustments, optimising web elements and content for maximum conversions.

  • User flow analysis
    Visualise and understand how visitors navigate through your website. It provides insights into the paths users take as they move from one page to another, helping you identify the most common routes and potential drop-off points in the user journey.

  • Event-based tracking :
    GA4’s event-based reporting offers greater flexibility and accuracy in data collection. By tracking various interactions, including video views and checkout processes, businesses can gather more precise insights into user behaviour. 

  • Funnels :
    GA4 offers multistep funnels, path analysis, custom metrics that integrate with audience segments. These user behaviour insights help businesses to tailor their websites, marketing campaigns and user experiences.

  Pros

  • Flexible audience management across products, regions or brands allow businesses to analyse data from multiple source properties. 
  • Google Analytics integrates with other Google services and third-party platforms. This enables a comprehensive view of online activities.
  • Free to use, although enterprises may need to switch to the paid version to accommodate higher data volumes.

  Cons

  • Google Analytics raises privacy concerns, primarily due to its tracking capabilities and the extensive data it collects.
  • Limitations imposed by thresholding can significantly hinder efforts to enhance user experience and boost conversions effectively.
  • Property and sampling limits exist. This creates problems when you’re dealing with extensive datasets or high-traffic websites. 
  • The interface is difficult to navigate and configure, resulting in a steep learning curve.

  3. Contentsquare

  

  Contentsquare is a web analytics and CRO platform. It stands out for its in-depth behavioural analytics. Contentsquare offers detailed data on how users interact with websites and mobile applications.

  Key features

  • Heatmaps and Session Replays :
    Users can visualise website interactions through heatmaps, highlighting popular areas and drop-offs. Session replay features enable the playback of user sessions. These provide in-depth insights into individual user experiences.

  • Conversion Funnel Analysis :
    Contentsquare tracks users through conversion funnels, identifying where users drop off during conversion. This helps in optimising the user journey and increasing conversion rates.

  • Segmentation and Personalisation :
    Businesses can segment their audience based on various criteria. Segments help create personalised experiences, tailoring content and offers to specific user groups.

  • Integration Capabilities :
    Contentsquare integrates with various third-party tools and platforms, enhancing its functionality and allowing businesses to leverage their existing tech stack.

  Pros

  • Comprehensive support and resources.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Personalisation capabilities.

  Cons

  • High price point.
  • Steep learning curve.

  4. Hotjar

  

  Hotjar is a robust tool designed to unravel user behaviour intricacies. With its array of features including visual heatmaps, session recordings and surveys, it goes beyond just identifying popular areas and drop-offs.

  Hotjar provides direct feedback and offers an intuitive interface, enabling seamless experience optimisation.

  Key features

  • Heatmaps :
    Hotjar provides visual heatmaps that display user interactions on your website. Heatmaps show where users click, scroll, and how far they read. This feature helps identify popular areas and points of abandonment.

  • Session Recordings :
    Hotjar allows you to record user sessions and watch real interactions on your site. This insight is invaluable for understanding user behaviour and identifying usability issues.

  • Surveys and Feedback :
    Hotjar offers on-site surveys and feedback forms that can get triggered based on user behaviour. These tools help collect qualitative data from real users, providing valuable insights.

  • Recruitment Tool :
    Hotjar’s recruitment tool lets you recruit participants from your website for user testing. This feature streamlines the process of finding participants for usability studies.

  • Funnel and Form Analysis :
    Hotjar enables the tracking of user journeys through funnels. It provides insights into where users drop off during the conversion process. It also offers form analysis to optimise form completion rates.

  • User Polls :
    You can create customisable polls to engage with visitors. Gather specific feedback on your website, products, or services.

  Pros

  • Starting at $32 per month, Hotjar is a cost-effective solution for most businesses. 
  • Hotjar provides a user-friendly interface that is easy for the majority of users to pick up quickly.

  Cons

  • Does not provide traditional web analytics and requires combining with another tool, potentially creating a less streamlined and cohesive user experience, which can complicate conversion rate optimization efforts.
  • Hotjar’s limited integrations can hinder its ability to seamlessly work with other essential tools and platforms, potentially further complicating CRO.

  Comparison Table

  Please note : We aim to keep this table accurate and up to date. However, if you see any inaccuracies or outdated information, please email us at marketing@matomo.org

  To make comparing these tools even easier, we’ve put together a table for you to compare features and price points :

  

  Conclusion

  CRO tools and web analytics are essential for online success. Businesses thrive by investing wisely, understanding user behaviour and using targeted strategies. The key : generate traffic and convert it into leads and customers. The right tools and strategies lead to remarkable conversions and online success. Each click, each interaction, becomes an opportunity to create an engaging user journey. This careful orchestration of data and insight separates thriving businesses from the rest.

  Are you ready to embark on a journey toward improved conversions and enhanced user experiences ? Matomo offers analytics solutions meticulously designed to complement your CRO strategy. Take the next step in your CRO journey. Start your 21-day free trial today—no credit card required.

  Try Matomo for Free

  21 day free trial. No credit card required.

  
  

  Your email address
  

  Your website address
  

  Your Analytics subdomain will be .matomo.cloud (change)

  Choose your analytics subdomain
  

  .matomo.cloud

  I accept the terms and conditions and data processing agreement (DPA)

  
  Your information will be used to create an account on our cloud service. For more information please consult our privacy policy.
  
  
  

  Start improving your websites now