Understanding the numbers and other data collected by website statistical tools is one thing. Understanding it enough to make comprehensive business decisions is another. Unfortunately, there are few formalized options for a web analytics education. The field is still very new and educational institutions have yet to catch up with the growing demand for professionals with knowledge and experience. However, professionals with a strong understanding of customer metrics, analyzing statistical information in other fields, and web content can find ample work in spite of the lack of formal education in web analytics.

For those without the necessary professional background, a web analytics education is not impossible to find. For those who are truly industrious, there is a wealth of training and tutorial programs offered by the manufacturers and developers of website statistic tools. Additionally, there are select schools, although normally at the community college or trade school level, who offer programs focusing on website analytics. These programs teach students about how to analyze the raw data collected by site statistical tools in an effort to understand what it means to the site owners. Return on investment, both monetary and time-based, is important to virtually any business, so understanding the data collected is important in the decision-making process.

Website owners, business executives, public relations professionals, and marketing executives all need the knowledge gleaned from these site stat tools in order to make intelligent decisions about content, products, services, and current marketing strategies. More importantly, they need to know what it means in terms of what their next steps should be. As such, those professionals who are able to either educate themselves or find options for a more formal web analytics education stand to position themselves as valuable assets to these decision-makers. This makes the effort to find such an education well worth the time and possible aggravation.

To help those who are interested in finding a web analytics education through a traditional or online institution, the Web Analytics Association recommends a joint program with the University of British Columbia. However, there are other degree and diploma programs offered by other schools. Students merely need to search the internet to find a few select schools that offer such programs. The more such programs are demanded by potential students, the more educational institutions will add similar programs and coursework. They may start with concentrations associated with traditional or existing programs, and as interest builds, develop stand-alone programs. In the meantime, there are limited options.

In situations where site owners want to find web analytics education options solely for their own benefit, the institution itself may not be as important as factors such as cost and ease of access to materials and coursework. However, even in such situations, there are benefits to finding a credible, comprehensive program. In this case, return on investment is important. Therefore, the program you select should provide you with the best education to meet your goals and knowledge requirements. An inexpensive course or program has little value beyond a tax write off if it does not teach you enough to make a difference.