Google Analytics Goal

Sorry, but this seems to be just one more of a list of instructions that has been left out of the vBSEO package. The control panel for 3.0 has a section for the Analytics information and suggests you add a Goal:

NOTE: You should create a new "Goal" in your Analytics account for your forums site and add the following steps for it (number of steps depends on whether you have enabled "Use COPPA Registration System" in vBulletin admincp or not):
/google-funnel/coppaform.html (if applicable)
/google-funnel/enter-birthday.html (if applicable)
/google-funnel/agreement.html
/google-funnel/regform-show.html
/google-funnel/regform-submit.html
/google-funnel/registration-complete.html

When I set up my Google account, it was based on my site root, TheFloorPro.com, not my forums, which are in a sub-directory, /community. So I go to the Goal pages at Google Analytics and it is asking me for a "Goal URL (e.g. http://www.mysite.com/thankyou.html)". The minimal instructions for filling in a Goal didn't mention that part and I am wondering what to put there. Because I am clueless, but willing to take a chance, I put in "http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/registration-complete.html", but of course there is no such page in my site (just as there is no such agreement.html, regform-show.html, etc.). I'm thinking these might be referring to dynamically generated pages, but I am very new at this and even newer at vBSEO (or any kind of seo).

[RANT]Where is the documentation on this stuff? I see a label attached to a couple of members that say they do documentation, but where is it? All my life I have followed directions because it is the easier, softer way. I learned how to read a map in grade school. I built model cars in high school and every kit came with complete directions. I am curious about every product I use in my home and my business and am very glad every one of them has directions or instructions for use. But it has been a frustrating experience with vBSEO because it lacks these important instructions and details (and for those who are about to say that 3.0 RC3 isn't finished yet, what about the older versions that also don't have more than basic instructions).

I know that many of your users don't need these instructions. It's obvious by the lack of HELP! threads about these things. But the more your products are promoted and the more you draw in guys like me, the more important it will be to have complete instructions -- even an online manual of sorts.[/RANT]

Can someone explain what I put in the Goal URL? Should I add /community to each line of the Steps? And will these logging and tracking options cover all of my site and not just the forums?

Thank you.

Use the URLs exactly as they are shown in the vBSEO CP. No need to rant, since if you use them as the CP says to use them, they work fine. I think those instructions were written with the assumption that the user was already familiar with the Goal system in Analytics, and will probably be expanded in the future for the benefit of those that aren't aware of how it functions.

As for the pages listed, they don't exist. They are just aliases that vBSEO places in the code of the corresponding vBulletin pages during registration. Go through a test registration on your site and view the source of each page. (Do a text search for google-funnel to see the inserted code.)

Screenshot Attached.

Note, if you don't require users to verify their e-mail address, your goal will be /google-funnel/regform-submit.html and there will only be two steps.

Ah, there you are -- a vBSEO Documenter. Whenever frustration occurs, there is a need to rant. I put it in brackets so you can disregard it, but it's still a frustration.

Thank you for the reply so quickly. One of the best things about this site. I edited my goal and took out /community from the front of each step. But you still haven't addressed the Goal URL. What should it be? And if it is s'posed to be /google-funnel/registration-complete.html, do I leave that step off the bottom of the list of steps?

Thanks Keith.
PS: I don't have permission to see that screen shot.

(Added screenshot instead of linking to it.)

The screen shot explains more. It also shows activate.html, which wasn't included in the control panel examples. So that is what I added as my Goal URL and my last step. Right?

Yes, the screenshot was taken from an earlier beta of vBSEO that used a different alias for the completion. I'll update the screenshot. (EDIT: That section of Analytics is under maintenance right now, so I can't get there to get a new screenshot.) I'll try to get a HOW-TO put together tomorrow.

You only need that for your Goal only, and only if you require users to validate their e-mail address.

Thank you. I'll look for the how-to tomorrow. I do use email verification.

Posted: [HOW-TO] Setting up vBSEO's Registration Funnel in Google Analytics