Google Analytics is simply amazing. Only a few years ago, we were paying DeepMetrix (recently purchased by Microsoft) for this type of web analytics. I don’t want to talk about how much it cost, but it was prohibitive for most of our clients. We were relegated to using log-file analysis tools. We invested in a decent package and I still like it… But as an owner of web properties myself, and with a constant eye towards our clients goals… nothing beats the type of javascript tracking that Google Analytics uses.
They recently upgraded the interface and it is truly powerful. We are using it to track complete Flash sites, and also using the Goal analysis and Funnel analysis tools to get very customized tracking of site goals.
I don’t know of another company that uses their power like Google does in the web space. With all that cash over there, they are able to build something massive and powerful and release it to the world for free.
I don’t see how other companies in this space can survive. Google is currently offering the best product in the industry. FOR FREE.