What is the first question you should ask before gathering and analyzing data about your website?

The first question to ask before gathering and analyzing data about your website is related to identifying the primary goal of your website and the metrics that will help you track progress toward that goal. This is crucial because understanding your main objective provides a clear focus for the data you will collect and analyze. By having a defined goal, you can tailor your analysis to specific metrics that align with that goal, ensuring that the data collected is relevant and actionable.

For instance, if the main goal of your website is to increase lead generation, you would want to track metrics such as conversion rates, form submissions, and lead sources. This targeted approach facilitates more effective analysis and decision-making, allowing for strategic adjustments to enhance performance towards achieving your goal.

Without establishing a main goal first, analyzing traffic, performance in search engine results, or identifying high-impact pages might yield useful information but could ultimately divert attention from what matters most to your business objectives. Thus, starting with a clear understanding of your goals sets a solid foundation for any subsequent data analysis.