I mean I definitely use a stat program, and monitor my traffic, but I mean do you have specific stats on referrers. Ie. you have 30 different directories you list in. Do you give them a link to identify them as the referrer, or do you put a code into your website and kinda just go through your top 10 referrers. I also would be interested to see how many actually reserve rather than just click through. Do you think I can accomplish this fairly easily with google analytics?.
100 directories!!!! I just re read your post! Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? I would bet 80% of your reservations come from the top 20% of directories. The rest out there are probably not doing you any good at all.
If you have a stats program. Check to see what your top referrers are. That is where the directories will automatically show up.
I know you can set up pretty specific goals in Google Analytics...but that still won't tell you which visits have actually reserve with you via a certain directory. That is something you have to ask your guests. Unless someone here knows something I don't about stats packages. I have never seen one that will tell you that directly.
Now, having said that, I don't know what on line guest management software program you use. IE; Reservation Nexus, Rezovations etc. But I would suspect that those would have some sort of stats package that would show referrers and then the actual reservation made on line. Maybe John can add to this. I didn't use either of these programs. So that may be what you actually need to see.
Here is a sample of referrers from GA. for the past month from an inn I know.
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