Google Analytics - multi domain named site tracking

Another quick blog... Recently I added analytics to a couple of sites with more than one domain name. Its easy to see how much of your traffic is from each hostname (Vistors->Network Properties->Hostnames), but
I wanted to be able to overlay how much traffic was arriving to the site from each domain (to see which one was most effectively being advertised).....

I was able to achieve this by creating a Custom Segment.

When first logging into the Google Analytics Dashboard for the desired site / account, just above the Date Range, there is the Advanced Segments drop down list. Clicking on that drop down I was able to create a new Advanced Segment.

In the Advanced Segment editor, I could expand the Content submenu from the Dimensions menu on the left, and drag the 'HOSTNAME' field into my segment.

I then set the Condition field to 'CONTAINS', then enter the base hostname of the additional domain I want to analyse separately (i.e. myseconddomain.com).

After naming and saving the segment, I can apply it via the Advanced Segments drop down in the dashboard and viola....

CodeIgniter - Supporting Multiple Domains in config["base_url"]

A very quick blog.....

Within the site config file (application_folder/config/config.php file), a base_url property is set. This is read by the base_url() method to generate server side redirections......

If you are creating a site which has more than domain name (ie. www.domain_one.com and www.domain_two.com), its probably a good idea to dynamically create this value in the config file. This way, the domain name is preserved when redirecting between pages.

//...config ...//
$config['base_url'] = 'http';
if (isset($_SERVER["HTTPS"]) && $_SERVER["HTTPS"] == "on") $config['base_url'] .= "s";

$config['base_url'] .= "://";

if ($_SERVER["SERVER_PORT"] != "80") $config['base_url'] .= $_SERVER["SERVER_NAME"].":".$_SERVER["SERVER_PORT"];
else $config['base_url'] .= $_SERVER["SERVER_NAME"];

$config["base_url"]."/";
//... config ...//

IE Cache and AJAX: Cache Busting Ajax requests

Yet another 'special case' caveat for Internet Explorer, the red headed step child of the browser family..... (sorry to any red headed step children who might be reading this - chalk it up to the savage injustices of life). I discovered that IE cache and Ajax requests are not the best of friends compared to how other browsers handle Ajax requests.



Recently I found that IE cached ajax requests in a CodeIgniter + ExtJS site. I was using url rewriting, so all GET params were encoded as URI segments...

eg. (http://host/controller/action/param1/param2)

The Problem:
Usually, I would use ExtJS inherent cache busting tools (Ext.Ajax.disableCaching - which normally defaults to true).... but due to the url rewriting, the ExtJS method caused issues. Query string values (?blah=value) are disallowed in my app due to the url rewriting, therefore EXTs native cache disabling does not work as it simply appends a uid to the querystring (?_dc=123453443343). This caused 'disallowed character' exceptions.

Furthermore - I couldn't simply add a random variable to the end of a request, as this could be misinterpreted as an actual parameter for actions with parameters with default values

eg. http://host/controller/action/param1/param2/no_cache01223213312

no_cache01223213312 could be misinterpreted as param3 in the following action:

public function action($param1, $param2, $param3 = "default value")
{
//..//
}

The Solution:
The Big Stick:
Whether you use an MVC framework, URL rewriting, the first thing you should consider is that on all Ajax actions, make sure the header 'pragma' is set to no-cache..... so in php - write the header somewhere before content is returned to the browser

header("Pragma: no-cache");

This can really suck as it blows away all your lovely server side cache introducing a potential performance bottleneck to your app, all because Dwayne Dibley is still browsing your site using IE.

The ExtJS (Javascript) way:
The Ext solution was at the page level to intercept all AJAX requests, and add a random POSTED variable to the parameter listing.

Ext.Ajax.disableCaching = false;
Ext.Ajax.addListener("beforerequest", function (conn, options ){
   if(!options.params) options.params = {};
   options.params.cacheBuster = Ext.id();
}, this);

This forces a server side request as the request is unique (thanks to the random post variable). It also allows me to free specify GET params in the rewritten url, as I am adding a POST variable to uniquify the request.

For generic javascript.... when calling the target url, simply append a generated dummy query string parameter (like a timestamp)

"http://myhost.com/myAjaxPage.php?_nocache=321313213445462"

Again, the same caveat applies to the pragma header - you would probably want to make this cache busting parameter conditional on browser type

Extra Bucks Online

So in the past I have blogged a bit about finding an eBusiness which is quick to setup and get running. I'm pleased to announce that my latest attempt at this is entering its final proofing.....

ExtraBucks is now online and is in its final proofing stages. The official launch date will come soon.... Essentially it is an odd jobs and piece work bulletin board. Its designed for those who want to make a bit of extra work outside of business hours to link up with people who need the odd job done. All 100% free to use. Check it out - have a play and feel free to leave some comments!