Most of these web applications will have a readme.txt file included with it. If it does, please read it. If it does not, don’t worry, this section is for you.

You must upload files to your server as plain text. If you are using FTP to upload files, then you must tell your software to upload files in ASCII format. If you are using your web file manager, then files will automatically upload correctly.

Once file is on your server, then you must change file permissions.

Files with extensions .php, .cgi, or .pl are executable files and there permissions must be set to 755. Files with extensions .cfg, .txt, or .html must have their permissions set to 644. Files and folders that will be written to must have their permissions set to 777. Files with no extensions can be classified as any of above, so check readme.txt file.

755 defines an executable file. 644 defines a read-only file. And 777 defines a writable file.

Once files are on your server and permissions are set correctly, application you have placed on your server should work for you just fine.

LOCATING PRE-MADE SITE TRACKING SCRIPTS

Probably one of best resources for locating pre-made scripts is: http://cgi-resources.com/

A good starting point for this discussion is: http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/articles/links/cgi1.html

AWStats is a good application for site tracking, but one I have that I like best is HTTP-Analyze which can be found at: http://www.netstore.de/Supply/http-analyze/

HTTP-Analyze is a bit on expensive side, so it may not be your best bet just yet.

If after reading this article you still fear task of installing a pre-made script on your server, then you might seriously consider remotely hosted site tracking software. If you opt for this route, be sure to buy pro version of software offered. If you don’t choose paid version, you might find your own competitors having access to your site tracking data! That should not be an acceptable option to you.

THE PURPOSE OF SITE TRACKING

With site tracking software running on your server, you can review how many people came to your website and what URL’s they might have used to find your website. You can also see where your visitors have come from, when they came, how long they were on your site, at what page they entered and left your site, and much more.

This is kind of information that will help you to determine with some certainty how effective your advertising is and how profitable your advertising can be.

Operating without tracking data is tantamount to operating a business with intent purpose of failing.

I truly want you to succeed with your online business. I know deep down in my heart that more people who find success online, greater my own chances for remaining profitable over long haul. *A rising tide floats all ships.*

If you are within first two years or five years of start of your business, then running in red should not be thought of as a bad thing. However, if you are ten years into your business and earning less than minimum wage from your business, there is a serious problem afoot that needs to be addressed immediately.

STARTING OUT

When you are just beginning your own business, you have plenty of time on your hands. This is reason why most small business owners do not properly count their time in ROI equation. They just look at cash expenditures and incoming monies, and they are satisfied with that calculation.

It is often said that people generate kind of results that they believe they can achieve or kind that they want to achieve. Seeing goal is first step to achieving goal. Expectations will always bring results equal to expectation.

Having been down business startup path before myself, I too understand desire to calculate ROI without consideration to time invested in enterprise.

However, I also understand importance of placing a value on my time and working that into my final numbers.

In beginning, I ran two types of ROI calculations: all resources exempting my time, AND all resources including my time.

Of course, I actually set a higher expectation for my own income level. First, I had decided on ten dollars an hour for my time. Later, I adjusted that amount upward.

Starting out, even though I ran two versions of my ROI calculations, I relied first on my resource excluding my own time. Once I had achieved this goal, then I refocused my attention to reaching ROI which took into account my own time.

Now, that time has passed, I can go back and look at my yearly ROI and see that I have earned enough cash to pay for those early days of famine.

THE SECRET OF TURNING ROI CALCULATIONS INTO SUCCESS

Every step in your business startup is a calculated guess as to what you believe you can achieve.

Measuring your results is essential to making your business profitable. ROI measurements are imperative to measuring and understanding results you are achieving with your new or existing business.

Take into account all factors relating to profitability of your business and don’t smudge on facts to make it seem more profitable than it really is. It is important to approach your business and your business results with absolute honesty. Be honest with yourself and face facts of your task.

An honest examination of your business at regular intervals will help you get on and stay on track to keep doors of your business open. You will thank yourself later.