Web Statistics Made Easy
Here is a quick explanation of your web statistics.
Hits: “A “Hit” is a term used that represents the number of files downloaded from a server to your computer. For example, if a page has 20 different graphics, and someone visited it, it would count as 21 hits, one for the page load, and twenty for all the different graphics. The only real use for this statistic is for server administrators, so they can determine the server load.
Visits: The Number of Visitors shows you how many users come to your site and request a page. The visitor can move around your site visiting several pages, however he will still be counted as only one visitor. An exception to this rule occurs in the rare occasion when a visitor takes more than half an hour (or the amount of time set by your host) to click from one page to another, in which case the program will register two visitors.
Page Views: A parameter indicates how many pages have been requested. It is a very important number because it is indicative of the “stickiness” of your site. Stickiness is a good thing: if, for example, your statistics show 10 visitors, but 50 page views, it means that, on average, each visitor has viewed 5 pages. A large “page views per visitor” ratio usually means that your site is so interesting and valuable that users are inclined to “stick around” and explore.