The Voice of Innkeeping Vol 2 Issue 2 June Summer 2017 | Page 26

Thank you to Acorn Internet Services, Lisa Kolb for bringing an important industry issue to our attention.

The Issue

This issue is regarding the secure HTTPS:// servers that many associations and directories are moving to (typically as per Google's insistence). The concern is that as more and more directories move from non-secure HTTP:// to secure HTTPS:// servers, many do not realize that they have to make code adjustments in order for your Google Analytics data to continue being passed to their non -Secure http:// members.

Because of this issue, you can lose your traffic and e-commerce data in your Google Analytics, and it makes it look like these directories are failing at their jobs. Which they more than likely are not, it's just the Google Analytics data isn't tracking anymore. And it makes it difficult for companies to justify the directories cost.

There are a variety of ways that your directory can continue to seamlessly pass Google Analytics data. Google provides these guidelines online:

1) Install the Meta Referrer Tag

2) Code correct UTM tracker code on all outgoing links

To get ahead of this issue, we are asking our members to share with us a list of directories that you use so that we can work to solve these tracking concerns before they become a real issue. Acorn has created a document that we would ask you to take a few minutes and help us gather your information – please click here. You can pull this information from your Google Analytics accounts, or any of your yearly renewals notices.

Once we have a handle on what we are dealing with, we will offer training via a whitepaper and webinar that we will provide to our members and to the directories who need to know how to deal with this issue. Thank you for your assistance.

News You Need to Know!