Yi advice on choosing software (and why not?)

[hilary]

Bear with me, this is a pretty tedious subject to anyone not as engrossed in it as I am (or so my husband suggests...), but it does involve some interesting readings.

I want to buy some software to enable me to track sales, relate them to advertisements and other sources of traffic, put the two together and find out what works. After some considerable hunting around, I found option a, which for $45 has as many features as other software costing three times as much. I nearly bought it, but was deterred by the counter-intuitive way it presents its results, the fact that the programmer's left the company, and a reading about acting without the strength to do so causing problems.

Sure enough, then option b appeared. A mere $25 - astonishingly cheap - much more flexibility in presenting the results, rather fewer features, but does it matter? It's cheap, the results are clear, I know I can get it to work, and I've tried every online demo of every tracking software option there is, and it's time I was doing something else...

So (I asked), Yi, what about buying option b?
44 to 11.
I'm ashamed to say I took the minimum of notice of this. Come off it, Yi, this is the world's simplest and smallest investment, and I've looked at every single available option, and what on earth do you mean with that melon stuff when I'm talking about tracking software, for crying out loud?

Still, I postponed the purchase, and had another look at another possibility (call it c): cost $45, features galore, utterly unintelligible demo of unspeakable complexity. I wrote to ask for help understanding the demo, and crawled off to bed.

This morning I have an email from possibility c, not only explaining how it all works step by step (it is complicated, but then it does more things...), and - wait for this - giving me the software for free, as they're about to bring out an upgraded version.

So even with tracking software, there are gifts that drop from heaven! And the advice in line 1 was there for a very good reason. Possibly line 4 was a comment on the missing features in option b. Was line 6 about my 'let's get this over with' attitude, or is there something else I should be looking out for, do you think?

Rather more inclined to take notice this time, I asked about going with option c.
2, changing to 8.

This is the first really positive comment I've had on any of the possibilities. But beyond 'yes, good idea', what is it telling me?

 

[hilary]

P.S. That first reading on option a started with 43,1. To my shame, I can't find a record of the other lines, but I'm pretty sure they included both 4 and 5.

 

[lenardthefast]

Dear Hilary,

From my intuitive perspective Hex 44 literally screams "No, no, don't do it". I believe that there are times when we ask the Yi a question and we really want a certain answer. When the Yi responds, to our chagrin, in a totally opposite vein we tend to disregard it. In this case, Hilary, you have illustrated, at least for me, two very important things. First, that the Yi can be extremely specific and downright adamant at times. Second, even the best of us at times falls into the expectation trap.

Thank you for the example, it helps a great deal to know that someone else out there occasionally falls into the trap. Isn't it amazing how the Yi can be so specific at times and at others appear to be so obtuse? (Upon reflection, I realize that its actually I, and not the Yi which sees certain answers as obtuse.) *sigh*

Namaste,
Leonard

 

[hilary]

Yes, I wanted the answer that said 'Well done! That'll do nicely!' and wasn't really interested in any others...

Option 3 turns out to have a very basic feature missing at present, which basically means it won't work. However, the owner thinks he will have found a solution by the next version. 2 weeks to wait! I'm trying to persuade myself that having waited over 2 years for this, the site can hang on another fortnight in the interests of getting the right solution in the end. So, have I reached 44, line 6? (Or is this more to do with 2,5?)

 

[lenardthefast]

Dear Hilary,

Based on what you have said so far, I would have to say that since you have decided to wait for the new, improved version you are already at Hex 11.

I absolutely love it when you Brits use 'fortnight' in place of two weeks. Makes me feel like the barbarian I really am. ;-))

Namaste,
Leonard

 

[louise]

Hilary, is it remotely possible Yi is saying the software of any kind is not going to be as much use to you as you think it is ? In other words don't buy any right now - that if you based your marketing on this tracking thing you'd go right off course and end up using your horns (line 6) ? I presume you already consulted about using it at all ? Hmm I don't know, theres alot of dashing and thrashing about there and no fish in the bag to show for it. But then I know nothing of tracking sales or marketing - who does I wonder ? Why of course, Candid !

 

[hilary]

Oops. Ah yes...

When I first had an email from an American asking me what a fortnight was, I wondered whether I needed to explain 'week' as well: in English English the two are the same register.

I'm learning, though - my services page now talks about 'two week readings'. Greetings from planet Britain...

 

[lenardthefast]

Dear Hilary,

You do realize that I was paying you a California compliment? I knew you did....!!

I love the the five-eyed thingee and I accept the award with gratitude and humility.

Namaste,
Leonard

 

[hilary]

Leonard, glad you like the critter. Some of us blink in different patterns, of course.

Louise - we crossed in the post, as it were. Thank you! Your post is brilliant. Dashing and thrashing about with no fish in the bag to show for it is absolutely, grimace-inducingly spot on. It's very sweet of you to assume that I would have had the sense to ask about the whole idea before I started roaming the net looking for options. I won't disillusion you.

Question: what can sales and roi tracking do for the business?

Answer: 60, 9/5, 19

To gallop through somewhat:
60 with its limits, setting of ground rules, and testing out measures and capacities in practice, is easily recognisable. Line 5 sounds like an indication of doing this right, not ending up setting unsustainable limits. (My 'default tendency' isn't to spend too much on promotion, but to spend nothing at all, neither time nor money.)

But oh dear, now I'm back to 19: approach, yes, but don't anticipate or count on your harvest. In the context, I'm not so sure this is what I want to hear.

Limiting/defining the approach?

Maybe this is juxtaposing what the work is ultimately about, which is very '19-ish' (in being unconditional, for instance), with the practical orientation of 60.

I should spend some more time fitting these parts together. Any help would be more than welcome!

 

[cal val]

Hilary...

I have to laugh. The answer you got is quite clear to me. But remember, I'm the one who likes to keep it simple.

I clearly hear the I Ching telling you that using the tracking software will help you limit your approach...your marketing approach...instead of thrashing and dashing about, you can find and point that arrow right at your target audience.

Toodles,

Val

 

[candid]

*steps up to the pond and casts a line to catch thrashing fish*

Hilary - I grew tense as I read your dilemma. Perhaps the rising of this tension is that referred to in 44. The rise of a bold girl who seizes power. Anxiety. A flood of emotions mixed with the pragmatic chore of measuring traffic (control). Yet, there is good potential in the goal.

What to do? What to do? Go to bed and get some rest, for goodness sake! Don?t get your horns all worked up! Give it up to heaven to work out (11) and rest.

Answers fall from heaven like snowflakes. Now to choose... and wait. Remain open (2) and hold the information that you gather until its time to inquire the oracle again (8).

The first 43 ?1. You?re about to break ground on a creative process.

On statistics and tracking traffic ? 60 makes perfect sense, as you?ve pointed out.

The matter of data and marketing seems cohesive enough. But, if marketing were that simple there would be little need of people and the creativity they bring.

First of all, the data must be reliable. Its so easy to create data with clever skews. I?ll give one difference to web marketing, it is more reliably trackable. In traditional media, what people say they do and what they do are often two different things. Given that the tracking is reliable, you now have other streams to tap into to promote your product. But its good to remember that people are not statistics. There?s a pool of deciding factors in each of us. Continuity provides the bridge between the data pool and the message. If the message matches the medium, you will attract the niche that is tuned into what your product provides.

The opportunity is always present to compromise in the above process. Its easy to play to the lowest denominator. And its almost certainly more profitable to do so.

An example of #44 copy: Find your perfect match! *flash image of perfect young man and woman hugging and smiling* Make your fortune! *flash of money, houses, cars, horses, boats... and of course, happy children*

I?m being silly and I know that's not remotely your style.

The one caution I?d offer is to not think, ?if I just get the system right, with the right system, everything will work perfectly!?

We both know that there are forces at work here. The original relating hexagram was 1. Yes, do explore software to help organize available information. That?s a craft that you naturally possess and have developed upon. But don?t expect too much from it. (Thank you Louise.) Be realistic and view it as just one component in this fascinating place you?ve created and named, Clarity.

We love ya!

Candid

 

[cal val]

Hilary...

PS -- Doesn't your web host provide a good tracking service?

If not, I'd advise looking for a new web host because so many of them provide excellent tracking software as part of their package.

Or are you hosting your site yourself on your own server?

If not, I recommend you contact steven@beyond-perception.com and tell him I referred you. He and his partner are just starting up web hosting in addition to their web design business beyond-perception.com. AND, I'm proud to say, were just nominated by the Prince's Trust for its Entrepreneur of the Year Award. *grin*

Even if you are hosting your site on your own server, Steven would be happy to recommend tracking software that would fit your needs. I'm sending him an email now letting him know you need help and that he may hear from you.

Val

 

[candid]

Hi Val. I've asked myself the same question, re: host or sever tracking. But I think Hilary may be seeking something more sophisticated than typically provided there. I know on the little company site I've put up, the tracking software is nicely packaged and accessable to me. I can count hits on pages and know where they came from. That's pretty basic stuff though.

It sounds as though the people you've referred to are credible and ethical. Prince's Trust for its Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a pretty good reference! I'd be curious to know how it pans out.

Candid

 

[cal val]

Candid...

LMAO I see you haven't shopped for hosting recently. I think it must have been quite awhile since you have, in fact, because the net has evolved considerably since you got the cute lil hit/referral tracking service. Web hosts that provide e-commerce packages provide much more sophisticated tracking than that. As a matter of fact, MOST web hosting packages provide a more sophisticated service than that.

Steven and partner design e-commerce sites. Part of that process is targeting the right market. So they have to know about these things...and they apparently do. Their business is growing by leaps and bounds.

And Hilary...

Steven is Hexagram 25 -- one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. The way success just comes to him you would think he's blessed, but he's not. He's simply got nothing in his way. He's just pure and genuine.

 

[hilary]

Thank you! (all)

Yes, I do have a slight tendency to get the bit between my teeth on these things and think they have to be bought and installed yesterday just to prove that I'm really determined about getting it done.

Comic consequence yesterday - after my gift software fell from heaven, I installed it pronto - started uploading before I realised I needed to create a new directory for it, in fact. So today I receive an email from Lindsay, may he live for ever, suggesting I look at my blank homepage. Yes, I'd uploaded a blank index.html and overwritten it. Oops. Duly restored, after some hours with a site with no front door. But I wonder whether 44,6 might not now be explained.

Yes, I'm looking for something more sophisticated than the host provides, or than can be provided from log file analysis at all so far as I know. The idea is to find out which source produces visitors who spend money - and to add to the fun, the sales thanks page is remotely hosted.

I'm very, very happy indeed with Flump, my current host. I plug them at every opportunity

. How on earth they provide such a high level of customer service at such low prices I have no clue: I can't see how it adds up. Compared with the previous lot (better not name them, but anyone reading this and looking for budget hosting, email me!) the difference is spectacular. Flump will even help me with installing and debugging scripts I add myself, which is absolutely unheard of in host-dom. (The usual, and not unreasonable, message is 'not our problem, and if it causes problems on our server we'll deactivate your site'.) And I over-ran my disk quota by about 15MB here before anything went wrong. 'Oh yes,' they say, 'we do allow some leeway'.

OK, end Flump paean, at least for now. I suspect that 'e-commerce packages' of the type that include Webtrends or whatever, are a little outside my budget just at present. I'll write to Steven, though, and pick his brains. Thanks!

 

[candid]

Val,

The site I referred to could have been put up by an average 11 year old. The whole program is designed for non-tech types, such as myself. Its all point-n-click and intuitive. It includes only basic tracking, but does include secured Shopping Cart and makes administration a breeze. It won't win any web awards but it provides a respectable calling card online for a small business. Its easy and very inexpensive.

In case I sound like I'm peddlin it, I am. I help to distribute the software on my spare time. Thanks for providing me the opportunity to shamelessly plug it.

Candid

 

[candid]

Oh yeah. www.advantageair1.com

 

[suzy]

Hilary! So glad you got that little blank page business sorted out. I "approached in friendship" several times yesterday and was "hurt and driven away" by your horns.... Actually I was terribly alarmed that something had happened to Clarity -- but then found my way in the back door. I was going to send you an e-mail today if your home page was still blank -- glad Lindsay alerted you. I wasn't sure what was going on -- thought maybe you had the page down for repairs or something.

Can I just say I absolutely adore the name "Flump"? I'm going to name my next dog Flump. Possibly even my first child.

 

[hilary]

Yes, if the front page disappears, it's a safe bet that I've made a mistake!

I imagine Flump would be a St Bernard, or something quite shaggy with long spaniel-y ears and huge paws. The dog, that is, not the child.

 

[cal val]

Hi there Hilary...

Sorry I've taken awhile to respond to your post about flump. I checked them out a couple of days ago but have been busy since then.

The reason I laughed about shopping for web hosting services in my post to Candid is quite apparent on my own web hosting page threezerothree.com web hosting. That's what I ended up with after shopping for days on end, weeks even, for a web hosting service to resell. I'm not about to admit how long it's been sitting there like that. *grin*

I was looking for a service that would fit all my clients' and potential clients' needs. The choices were mind-boggling, and I never did find the 'magic pill' service. I determined that I would have to resell for several different services, and that wasn't really a lucrative plan. Or I'd have to do as you did -- pick a 'bare bones' budget package and add on the e-commerce extras as needed, and I was too busy with a client who already had one of the web hosting packages with all the bells and whistles at the time.

One of the things that was really important to me when shopping for web hosting services, besides a comprehensive e-commerce package, was good tech support. When I found a site that looked good, I went hunting for reviews and customer feedback re support. And it sounds like you found a good one.

I didn't really get into the support issue while I was on the flump site because your enthusiasm was sufficient testimonial for me, but I did check out the packages and the organization of the site. Looks like those guys have it pretty much together. The site runs smoothly, loads very quickly and is well organized. Their packages offer a reasonable amount of space and bandwidth for the money. I'm always suspicious of services that offer unlimited bandwidth. And you know why. Those are the sites that will boot you in a heartbeat for using too much bandwidth, AND their downtime as a result of offering unlimited bandwidth is often way too much.

Did you have to hunt long before you found them?

 

[hilary]

Happy though I am to sing the praises of Flump, I'm feeling a little embarrassed at how off-topic this is getting. Time for you and me to go to private email, I think, Val!

 

[cal val]

Hilary...

Yes. And the only time I really stutter is when I try to say s-s-su-su-sss-s-ssu-succinct.

Val