SEMphonic Releases Detailed Comparative Analysis White Paper on WebSideStory HBX and Omniture SiteCatalyst Web Analytics Tools

Market Wire, July, 2006

There are many third-party web analytics tools available and WebSideStory's HBX and Omniture's SiteCatalyst are among the most prominent, according to Gartner's 2Q06 MarketScope for Web Analytics. Both vendors were rated as a "strong positive" by Gartner, among a whole host of other web analysis companies in the space. Not surprisingly, the two solutions are at the top of most companies lists when selecting a web measurement solution. SEMphonic, search engine marketing analytics tool provider and web analytics consulting company, today released a detailed White Paper comparing HBX and SiteCatalyst. The study focuses on how each solution handles real-world web analytics across a range of client needs -- especially when dealing with large, complex and high-volume sites.

"Most web analytics tool comparisons fall short because they only focus on the feature lists within the tools and not the real world issues," states Gary Angel, President and CTO, SEMphonic. "A check on a laundry list just isn't adequate for decision-making. Both solutions may support a specific feature, but with dramatic differences in usability, reliability and performance. Our goal in this White Paper is to share what we have learned working with our Fortune 1000 clients using HBX and SiteCatalyst when tackling specific, real-world client focused needs."

Based on years of actual experience working with each tool, the analysis compares features, performance, reliability, and support. This analysis, together with SEMphonic's White Paper on Negotiating a Web Measurement Solution, provides a well structured starting point for any company evaluating the two products.

Areas discussed in the report include:

--  HBX and SiteCatalyst Comparative Analysis
--  Implementation Process
--  Overview Reporting
--  Conversion Analysis
--  Path Analysis
--  Visitor Segmentation
--  Report Creation and Distribution
--  General Usability
    

"At the end of the day, SiteCatalyst and HBX are remarkably similar in scope and function, with SiteCatalyst providing more analytical capabilities, but generally more difficult to use, and with software generally less reliable than HBX," adds Paul Legutko, Vice President of Search Engine Marketing Analytics, SEMphonic. "The strengths of HBX, we feel, lie in its MS Excel report building integration and its easy-to-use active segmentation, while SiteCatalyst is superior in its analytical flexibility and comprehensiveness."

To request a complimentary copy of the report, please contact David Libby at dlibby@semphonic.com

About SEMphonic

SEMphonic has over 9 years of experience in the field web analytics and Internet marketing. The company focus is to develop and deliver powerful online campaign tracking tools and web analytic consulting services. Now SEM practitioners gain accurate and faster methods to analyze and report on an entire campaign, from comparative PPC/SEO performance to in-depth competitor analysis. This provides SEM professionals with more rapid, comprehensive, and actionable insights to help improve SEM campaign performance.

SEMphonic provides these technologies, tools, and services to maximize the competitive edge for Agencies and companies such as American Express, WebMD, AOL, CyberTrader, Charles Schwab, Endless Pools, Intuit, Mediasmith, SurePoint Lending, and others. SEMphonic is headquartered in Novato, California. Visit us at www.semphonic.com for more information.

Media Contact: David Libby Tel. 510.271.0640 ext. 150 Email: Email Contact