Shortly after launching a site, one of the first questions a client always asks is: How many visitors is my site getting? To answer that you’ll need a stats package for their site. This always leads to the question – do I install something on their server or use a third-party hosted solution? Each option can have it’s benefits. Following are some things to consider:

Benefits to using Hosted:

1. Someone else worries about uptime, scaling, and maintenance.
2. No upgrades. Who likes to spend hours or even days manually upgrading and testing an installed app?
3. Security. You don’t have to worry about securing your stats program.

Benefits to using Installed:

1. No monthly fees. Often hosted solutions require monthly fees, at least if you want near real-time visitor statistics.
2. Instant visitor stats. Normally installed solutions provide instant visitor information.
3. Customization – with an installed solution you can customize it to your client’s exact needs.

So, which one should you pick? Well that really depends on your client’s needs and budget. We use a mix of both hosted and installed stats on our company sites.

If you’re looking for some good stats software, I’d recommend: Google Analytics, Mint, and Crazy Egg.