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Google Analytics Update (Beta)
Always looking to push the boundaries, Google have released the latest version of Google Analytics and opened it up to a select few analytics accounts for beta testing. ( If you have not already been invited you can sign up to request early access via this link – Google Analytics beta ) Google say the new release will make it easier to find information and share data but also claim the release new will offer some new core functionality. Having had a look around the new interface I would say they have delivered on both fronts. A few of the highlights are explained below although we may create a more comprehensive walkthrough of the new interface at a later date.
Google Analytics new Interface
The subtle changes in navigation structure & language seem to be geared towards business owners as opposed to web analysts with comprehensive grouping of metrics and expandable menus enabling easier navigation between reports. The new dashboard options outlined below create potential for powerful business dashboards , aggregating key data of interest and presented within single screens
Google Analytics Dashboards Changes 
Multiple Dashboards
The new Analytics dashboard is completely customizable and is based on widgets which can be added, deleted, edited and dragged around at will. Each user account will be able to create multiple dashboard (up to 20 per profile) as opposed to the single dashboard available in the current version.
Widgets Overview
You can add multiple widgets to your dashboards and there are 4 main types of widget. These are Metric, Pie Chart, Timeline, and Table.
Metric: Displays the numerical value of a metric over a period of time
Pie Chart: Can be used to display a metric and group this metric by dimension for example you could display ‘Visits by Country’
Timeline: Displays a metric of choice in graph format over time. New functionality allows you to compare two metrics in the same graph.
Table: You can display one dimension with two metrics and display data in a table (select number of rows – up to 10)
Graph Plotting Functionality
The analytics graph view gives such a useful picture highlighting peaks and trophs, trends and so on. While the current version of Google Analytics allows you to drill down and chart other areas such as traffic sources etc the ability to compare traffic sources on the same graph was previously not possible unless you used advanced segments. The new version of analytics allows you to quickly and easily compare different traffic sources on the same graph. So for example by selecting Google organic traffic and facebook referral traffic you can get a quick graphical view of how these 2 traffic sources contribute to your overall traffic view. This ability to select Plot Rows and graphically compare data should be possible in just about any report that has a data table.
