WebSideStory Inc, the San Diego, California-based provider of web analytics software for mid-size firms has released a version of its HitBox Professional service that features enhanced e-commerce return on investment (ROI) functionality.

Version 3 is the second major upgrade to WebSideStory's subscription-based service for small to midsize customers. With HitBox, analysis is done via the placement of JavaScript 'beacons' on a site that feeds information about traffic, customers, and other data in real-time to WebSideStory's servers. The approach is in contrast to web server log monitoring that many other web analytics companies, such as WebTrends, use.

HitBox Professional version 3 will provide users with new capabilities to monitor the effectiveness of online marketing campaigns and selling strategies. Specifically, new analytics features in version 3 will provide real-time information about email promotions, banner adverts and web site affiliates to determine what strategies are driving traffic and generating the most revenue.

Additionally, the new version of the service will allow companies to determine what keywords are generating revenue, when buyers find their site from a web search engine site. This caters to the trend in which companies bid with paid-performance search providers such as Overture and Google to have their URL prominently displayed against certain results sets.

Other new features in HitBox Professional include real-time reporting (on orders, revenue, and browse-to-buy ratios); generation of date-criteria reports; report scheduling and forwarding; and exporting of reports to Word or Excel format applications.

WebSideStory also offers an Enterprise edition that comes with more in-depth support and consulting services, as well as customized analytics for individual web sites. HitBox Professional is more of a self-serve service that is easy to implement, but not as flexible as the Enterprise edition.

Pricing for the HitBox Professional service starts at $24.95 per month through Sept. 15, then goes to $29.95 per month.

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