Most webmasters are interested in monitoring the traffic on their websites, and many use built-in statistics functions or 3rd-party providers like Google Analytics and quantcast. Many are familiar with the classic Alexa Ranking. But there is even more interesting information available: traffic comparison.
Not only can traffic comparison be useful on your own site, but also for researching trends, such as the rise of social networking sites. Traffic comparison also helps when seeking link partners for search engine optimization or evaluating links from your own site.
Here's what the top comparison sites offer - as well as a site that lets you easily use them all... The major free traffic comparison services are Alexa, Compete, Google Trends, and quantcast. All services allow you to compare up to 5 sites for free (Compete requires a free membership to go above 3 sites), and all provide trends with the number of unique visitors. But the similarities end there!
Alexa provides a number of unique statistics, but has the most limited source of information. Once the only player in the traffic comparison game, Alexa offers embeddable graphs through widgets available to members (free). Unlike the other services, Alexa also provides site contact information (though this isn't necessarily desired by webmasters as it is a source of spam) as well as related sites. |
Compete is almost as complete as Alexa and has a much broader source of information. However, some of its statistics are not available for free. Like quantcast, compete's graphs can easily be embedded, but compete's can be simple image links. Like Google Trends, compete provides search terms commonly used to find the site, but has a unique feature: the ability to save searches in your portfolio (free membership required). |
Google Trends is a relative newcomer to the traffic comparison game, and currently provides the fewest features. However, it's information sources may be the most complete and it offers a unique geographic breakdown of up to 10 countries for each site compared. Most Google watchers expect the Google Trends feature set to expand |
quantcast provides US / Global statistics, as well as extensive demographic and lifestyle statistics, for free, but charges for country-specific breakdowns. Graphs available to members (free) are extensive and useful, and it's comparison charts are equally attractive and functional. Possibly the most useful of all: the quantcast site summary (though this is site specific...) |
At least one site, AttentionMeter.com, offers a simple way to use most of the majors sites. You simply enter up to 5 sites, then click on tabs for each of the major comparison services (as well as Technorati). As of this article's publication, the Google Trends tab wasn't working, but hopefully will soon. |
The chart below shows features provided by the traffic comparison services - hopefully, you will enjoy the benefits of these excellent services.
Feature |
Alexa |
Compete |
Google Trends |
quantcast |
Information sources |
toolbar |
ISPs, ASPs,
Opt-in, toolbar |
search, Google Analytics,
opt-in, 3rd party research |
quantcast on sites,
estimates |
Maximum # of sites |
5 |
3* |
5 |
5 |
Custom rank |
Alexa Rank |
Compete Rank |
No |
No |
Unique visitors |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Frequency |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Reach |
Yes |
$ |
No |
No |
Pageviews |
Yes |
$ |
No |
No |
Pageviews / user |
Yes |
$ |
No |
No |
Daily visits |
No |
$ |
No |
No |
Bounce % |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Average stay |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Search % |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Trends % |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Geographic |
No |
No |
Up to 10 countries / site |
US, Global, $ |
Demographics |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Top search terms |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Top referral sites |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Top destination sites |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Embed graphs on your site |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Additional features |
Contact Info
Related links |
* Free membership:
save comparisons,
compare up to 5 sites |
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Here are the comparison of these sites using their own tools:
Alexa (does not allow it's own site to be used in comparisons)
Compete
quantcast
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