Site time calculations

[Alex Bainbridge]

As I write this we have someone sitting on our site for the last 3 1/2

hours - this is quite normal. (I guess that they are in the office - and

that they have left the page open on their browser). (they haven't moved

pages in the last 3 1/2 hours)


Is there some agreed method on calculating site time? Anyone remember

statistical analysis? What if someone moves around your site for 10 mins -

then stays stationary for a further hour - how long is their site visit?


Someone said to me the other day that their site is good as they retain a

user for 12 mins - unless someone has an agreed method of calculating site

time it will become as meaningless as page impressions used to be a few

years ago (when framed docs used to count as 2 or 3 page impressions for

example - at least this has been cleared up now)


If people are going to use site time as an indicator of quality (and

therefore advertising revenue) it needs to be an agreed method of

calculation ....


Suggestions..?


alex

First48 UK

www.first48.com