I've done quite a bit of research into web analytics lately, and I have found a couple of things. Google analytics Is a great tool, but it cannot be the only tool an organization relies on. Because it is a purely JavaScript based, it is unable to catch browsers that do not have JavaScript enabled, this includes the search engine robots, some hand held devices, as well as a percent of users that manually turn this off. That being said we need a tool to parse the log files from the server and to give us information about these users, as well as providing us with "on demand" stats where as Google's stats are next day. The server logs also contain a wealth of other information that we are collecting automatically, so we might as well take advantage of it.

I have come to the conclusion that we need to use Google Analytics but we also need a tool that reads the server logs. There are quite a variety of tools that would fill this need. Google recently purchased Urchin who's web analysis product runs Google analytics, costs about $3k and will work with the Google Mini, Urchin also gives the ability to read logs from server software other than IIS (like apache, the software used for open source applications) .

Urchin will be releasing another version shortly, and this will be the first release since the Google buyout. Another option is WebTrends Analytics it costs about $4k. It Like Urchin will read both IIS and Apache logs, and has a web interface for users. The last product is NetTracker, it runs about $4k for the software, and another grand for support. it was recently bought out by Unica. The administration of netTracker is not the smoothest, and the support seems to have declined on quality since the buy out.

The term colocation is used in the computer industry to describe the use of a specialist data centre that is run independently and hosts file servers for a number of different companies.

Independent data centres of this type are also called colocation centres, 'colos' for short, or the more descriptive 'carrier hotels'. These data centres are set up by specialist firms with expertise in information technology, to serve the needs of numerous clients. That way, the clients can simply outsource this service to a colocation supplier and let them take care of everything for them. This is much more sensible that trying to do it yourself, for a number of reasons.

Cost is an important consideration. If you were to invest in a state of the art data infrastructure yourself, you would have to spend more than a specialist supplier who could broker wholesale deals for IT services on your behalf which could save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Economies of scale come into play too. A professional colocation supplier will have invested in large, industrial-strength systems which are bigger and more powerful that any individual firm would ever need. This means that you are getting the benefit of a more powerful system, and you can buy in to it for a low relative cost.

Time is another element of the equation. Why re-invent the wheel yourself, when a colocation supplier has data solutions at their fingertips. These would include solutions to your immediate requirements, and also remedies to any future IT problems that you don't even know you have yet!

Access to expertise is a further advantage of using colocation.
You will have the benefit of advice and support from experts in the field who have experience of looking after many different types of requirement across numerous different industries. And this access will usually be arranged on a shift system, so that you can always speak to someone at any time of the day or night on any day of the week, including weekends and public holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day.

In addition to gaining access to IT systems for networks, servers and data storage, colocation firms will also give clients the ability to interconnect with numerous telecommunications suppliers and providers of other network services. Because colocation firms look after many kinds of IT need across a wide range of industrial sectors, they will be able to suggest packages of services after doing a survey of your particular needs and current situation.

And because the colocation firm is an expert in their field, that means that the package they propose for you will have the capability of being adapted as the needs of your business change. Upgrades can be discussed and arranged quickly with people you trust, who know your business. This means that clients can then focus on their core business, without having to divert from what they do best and try and become a mini-expert on IT data systems themselves.

Website Accessibility means the website accessible to all the users in the web including visitors with disability. Many website owners know that their website is available in the internet for visitors to access information but possibly may not know whether their website is easily accessible and even be unaware about Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

According to Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), all the business should make their services accessible to disabled users. There is also a section in DDA which addresses that if a business offers an online service, even the information is on a single page, then the business is responsible for making an effort to make this information accessible to disabled users.

All new websites that are designed and developed should now follow the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) against which the accessibility of the website is measured. But when the website is found isn't complaint, then anybody can sue you legally, if they want to.

By following these guidelines, you enhance the professional look of your website, provide access to visitors who previously had not no choice, thus increasing your business prospects and finally not to forget, your business is legal.

Some basic Guidelines to increase the accessibility of the visitors

Validate HTML and CSS: To check if the HTML and CSS used is valid, W3C validator can be used. It is necessary that websites are checked as the validator automatically tells you about any errors and accessibility issues in the web pages.

Image and alternative text: For browsers which don't support images, alternative text can be used to explain what the image is about as the user will only see the text.

Resize font text: Most of the internet browsers use Internet explorer to search for information. If the size of the text can be increased by choosing the font size to the largest then it means that your website is accessible to visitors.

Use of Java script: Websites are not easily accessible when java script is disabled. Mostly people have the java script support switched off, if that's the case then make sure that you use the Java script sensibly and unnoticeably.

Check for the following,

1. Website is accessible without the use of a mouse

2. Website has a Sitemap

3. Website has link text relevant to the content (blind users use tabbing while browsing websites from one link to the other)