Recently Google announced in their Google Analytics blog that they have launched Google Analytics API (Application Programming Interface).

Now what is this?

First definition of Application Programming Interface: API is a set of functions or programs that can be called from an application program to access features of another program.

For example… Google Maps API is an application programming interface that lets webmasters embed Google Maps in any web page with the use of JavaScript.

Please don’t confuse it with Google Maps itself. It is an API of Google Maps and Not the full software that Google Maps uses. This API just lets a webpage CONNECT to Google Maps displaying the exact image users would see by going to the home page of Google Maps.

How can Google Analytics API help you?

According to the Google Analytics blog:

The API will allow developers to extend Google Analytics in new and creative ways that benefit developers, organizations and end users. Large organizations and agencies now have a standardized platform for integrating Analytics data with their own business data. Developers can integrate Google Analytics into their existing products and create standalone applications that they sell. Users could see snapshots of their Analytics data in developer created dashboards and gadgets. Individuals and business owners will have opportunities to access their Google Analytics information in a variety of new ways.

Let’s take a few examples.

Google Analytics for Android will help you to install Google API in the Android phone thus letting you access your analytics data wherever you go. Of course you should have your mobile phone with you.

Currently it costs $3, but imagine the use if you have a website with thousands of visitors coming everyday and you need to constantly monitor visitor behavior to run your business properly. You can’t be always in front of your computer. Can you?

Polaris is a Google Analytics desktop widget that will help you to integrate the API to help you see your analytics data right from your desktop. No need to visit Google Analytics page. Just double click the application and see your data anytime.

MailChimp’s Analytics 360 will let you integrate the API in your email campaigns and will help you to know:

ROI for the campaign
Revenue created
Average value per visitor
Goals completed
Conversion rate
eCommerce transactions

And you know what – it’s absolutely free!

You can see here  how many companies are already using the Google Analytics API to their advantage.

For further information please visit the Google Analytics blog post.

Are you using Google Analytics API? Are you finding it useful?