Branded Login

[matbennett]

Absolutely love StatCounter already, but here is an idea for a paid extra that I for one would be happy to pay for:

If I set up a site for Mr.Brown, i love the fact that Mr. Brown can login without having the ability to change the settings (or to view the stats for other sites on my account). 10 out of 10 for that.

What would be even better though would be if I could send Mr. Brown to a version of the stats that have my details rather than Stat Counter's on them. This obviously deprives StatCounter of some brand awareness, so it is only fair that this should be a paid service.

If I set up a site for Mr.Brown, i love the fact that Mr. Brown can login without having the ability to change the settings (or to view the stats for other sites on my account). 10 out of 10 for that.

I think less than 1% of StatCounter users are aware that they can actually do this at the moment. I’ve got big plans next year to promote better awareness of all the features. And we’ll be having many even more features to promote next year as well.

I’m glad you like it, I love it too for my own clients – that’s why I made it.

What would be even better though would be if I could send Mr. Brown to a version of the stats that have my details rather than Stat Counter's on them. This obviously deprives StatCounter of some brand awareness, so it is only fair that this should be a paid service.

You're still going to have to go the StatCounter URL though.

I like honesty and openness. I’d much prefer the idea that you tell Mr. Brown something like

‘As part of my service to you I have a special deal with StatCounter.Com – they are dedicated to providing you with the best and easy to use website statistics. I set it up and manage everything for you. All you need is the following username and password to get your real-time stats for your website at anytime you like.’

I can totally understand your want for brand awareness for your own clients. After all you should never let a client forget you. And they won’t if you’re sending them email stats reports and seeing your logo when they login. They’ll become more accustomed to you, and you’re more likely to generate more direct and in-direct business from that client.

I thought about this feature a while ago, and we can set it up so that the banner ad would be removed, and you could place your own logo and link to your website. So your clients would see the StatCounter logo co-branded with your logo replacing the banner ad.

What would you think about that?

[matbennett]

Yes, something like that would be good.

To be honest though what made me think of this was not really promoting my own brand, but stopping customers tinkering!

I know what a few of them are like. If they know where the service comes from next thing they are signing up a new account and changing their pages.

There is also the issue of customers seeing the cost price of something and wondering where the markup comes from. If I decide to use this on commercial customers sites in the long term I would of course be charging them for 1. Whatever costs StatCounter accrues 2. Installation of code on pages 3. Time spend analysing output and turning it into something they understand. Past experience shows me that if they know the cost of #1 they immediately overlook the work involved in #2&3

Not really a biggy here, but it would be nice. The URL isn't really a problem as Iframe could always be used if this was an issue.

I don't understand though. If you're providing everything the website offers, why would they be tinkering and signing up for their own account?

Past experience shows me that if they know the cost of #1 they immediately overlook the work involved in #2&3

Again i like honesty and openness. I think you should be completely straight with your clients, and tell them StatCounter can and does offer a certain amount for free. I don't recommend hiding facts.

Then help them to understand just how much work is actually involved in 2 & 3.

[matbennett]

I call it "simplification", rather than hiding things.

A significant share of the 200+ sites that we've got on the books at the moment just want to know that they have a site and it brings in business.

Our pitch to those customers is very much centered around the idea of "leaving the worry to us". We look after anythink vaguelly web related for them, from their ADSL connection to their SEO (even email handling for some), and they like the fact that they always know who to growl at if something goes wrong. For these companies we always try to ensure that our brand is on anything we put their way, not for reasons of advertising (they know who we are), but because they then know who to call.

If I tried to "help them to understand just how much work is actually involved in 2 & 3." they would probably leave. Some of these guys are more than happy not to know, as long as we save them more than we cost.

As I say, this is not a biggy and I wouldn't change the stats that we offer for this type of customer at this point anyway. Just a thought.

I'm still not quite sure I understand.

It's very, very simple. You'll be able to configure email reports [with your branding] to go out to your clients, with these email reports they will also be shown how they can loging to get more info. And when they login they see your logo as well.

If the client isn't the type to go looking at a website, looking up prices and just wants things simple - then can't you just tell them how much your service costs and everything it provides.

[matbennett]

Must have missed the bit about mail reports. That is even better.

[matbennett]

Just looked at the email options and now I love StatCounter even more!

I'll shut up now and have a good snoop around at options before making any other suggestions!

The email reports aren't working yet.

[matbennett]

:lol:

Look forward to seeing them when they are then. This is really shaping up to be an excellent service. I'll be sure to plug it when I am bugging the webmasters of other forums that I use.

This is really shaping up to be an excellent service.

We are going to be the best out there, it's just a matter of time and an awful lot of work. But we can't do it without members like you.

I'll be sure to plug it when I am bugging the webmasters of other forums that I use.

Please do it and recommend it to your friends as well. Thank you.