MonsterInsights Free Trial Plan: $0 to Demystify Your Analytics

Are you wondering how to make sense of your website’s traffic? You’re not alone.

Many website owners struggle to understand their visitors’ behavior.

That’s where MonsterInsights comes in. This powerful tool can help you unlock the secrets hidden in your website’s data. But before you commit, you might want to try it out first.

Let’s dive into the world of MonsterInsights free trial and see what it has to offer.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the MonsterInsights free trial, including:

• What MonsterInsights is and why it’s important for your website
• How to get started with the MonsterInsights free trial
• Key features available in the free version
• Step-by-step setup instructions
• Pros and cons of using MonsterInsights

Ready to become a website analytics pro? Let’s get started!

What is MonsterInsights?

MonsterInsights is the most popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress.

It’s designed to make it easy for website owners to understand and use their website data. With over 3 million active installs, it’s clear that many people find value in this tool.

But what exactly does MonsterInsights do? Here are some key features:

• Easy Google Analytics setup: MonsterInsights allows you to connect Google Analytics to your WordPress site without touching a single line of code.
• User-friendly dashboard: It brings your most important analytics data right into your WordPress dashboard, so you don’t have to log into Google Analytics separately.
• Advanced tracking: MonsterInsights offers features like eCommerce tracking, form tracking, and custom dimension tracking, which aren’t easily available with standard Google Analytics setup.
• Real-time stats: You can see how many people are on your site right now and what they’re doing.

For WordPress users, MonsterInsights is a game-changer. It takes the complexity out of Google Analytics and presents your data in a way that’s easy to understand and act upon.

This nifty tool brings all your important Google Analytics data right into your WordPress dashboard. No more switching between tabs or getting lost in a sea of numbers.

MonsterInsights presents your data in a way that’s easy to understand and act on.

MonsterInsights comes in different flavors. There’s the free version (MonsterInsights Lite) and the paid versions (Plus, Pro, and Agency). Each offers different features to suit your needs.

MonsterInsights Free Trial: What You Need to Know

When we talk about the MonsterInsights free trial, we’re actually referring to MonsterInsights Lite.

This is the free version of the plugin that’s available to everyone. It’s not a time-limited trial, but rather a feature-limited version that you can use indefinitely.

MonsterInsights Lite offers a taste of what the full version can do.

Here’s what you get with the free version:

• Basic Google Analytics setup
• WordPress dashboard overview report
• Page-level analytics
• Event tracking for outbound links and file downloads
• Basic eCommerce tracking for WooCommerce
• Basic form conversion tracking

While this might seem limited compared to the paid versions, it’s still a powerful set of features that can give you valuable insights into your website’s performance.

How to Get Started with MonsterInsights Lite

Getting started with MonsterInsights Lite is a breeze. Here’s a quick 5-step overview of the process:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
2. Click on “Plugins” > “Add New“
3. Search for “MonsterInsights“
4. Click “Install Now” next to the MonsterInsights plugin
5. After installation, click “Activate“

Once activated, you’ll need to connect MonsterInsights to your Google Analytics account. Don’t worry if you don’t have one yet – MonsterInsights will guide you through creating one if needed.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the setup process.

Setting Up MonsterInsights Lite: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to get MonsterInsights Lite up and running on your WordPress site:

• Start the setup wizard: After activating the plugin, click on “Launch the Wizard!” to begin.
• Choose your category: Select whether you have a business website, publisher site, or eCommerce store.
• Connect to Google Analytics: Click on “Connect MonsterInsights” and follow the prompts.
• Select a property: Choose your Google Analytics property that corresponds to your site.
• Configure settings: MonsterInsights will recommend optimal settings based on your website type.
• Install additional addons: MonsterInsights will offer to install relevant addons based on your website type. In the free version, you’ll have limited addon options.
• Finish up: Click “Finish Setup & Exit Wizard” to complete the process.

That’s it! You’ve now successfully set up MonsterInsights Lite on your WordPress site.

Key Features of MonsterInsights Lite

While MonsterInsights Lite is a free version, it still packs a punch with some powerful features.

Let’s take a closer look at what you get:

1. Google Analytics Dashboard in WordPress

One of the best features of MonsterInsights is that it brings your Google Analytics data right into your WordPress dashboard. No more switching between tabs or logging into different accounts.

You can see your key metrics at a glance, including:

• Sessions and pageviews
• Average session duration
• Bounce rate
• Top landing pages
• Device breakdown (desktop vs. mobile)

This feature alone can save you a lot of time and make it easier to keep an eye on your website’s performance.

2. Basic Tracking Capabilities

MonsterInsights Lite automatically sets up basic tracking for your website. This includes:

• Pageviews
• Sessions
• Bounce rate
• Average time on page
• User location data

While these might seem basic, they’re essential metrics that can give you a good overview of your website’s performance and your audience’s behavior.

3. Real-Time Statistics

Want to know what’s happening on your website right now?

MonsterInsights Lite includes a real-time statistics feature. You can see:

• How many people are currently on your site
• What pages they’re viewing
• Where they’re coming from (traffic sources)

This can be particularly useful when you’re running a marketing campaign or have just published a new piece of content. Real-time statistics give you instant feedback on how your audience is interacting with your site. You can quickly gauge the effectiveness of your content or promotions.

4. Basic eCommerce Tracking

If you’re running a WooCommerce store, MonsterInsights Lite provides basic eCommerce tracking.

You can see:

• Total revenue
• Number of transactions
• Average order value

While not as comprehensive as the paid versions, this still gives you valuable insights into your store’s performance.

5. Outbound Link Tracking

MonsterInsights Lite automatically tracks clicks on outbound links (links that lead to other websites). This can help you understand what external content your audience is interested in.

6. File Download Tracking

If you offer downloadable content on your site, MonsterInsights Lite will track how many times these files are downloaded. This can help you gauge the popularity of your downloadable resources.

7. User-Friendly Interface

Let’s face it, Google Analytics can be overwhelming. But MonsterInsights Lite makes it much more accessible. The reports are presented in a clean, easy-to-understand format.

You don’t need to be a data scientist to make sense of your analytics. MonsterInsights breaks everything down into digestible chunks, with clear labels and straightforward graphs.

Plus, everything is right there in your WordPress dashboard – a place you’re already familiar with.

Limitations of MonsterInsights Lite

While MonsterInsights Lite offers a solid set of features, you need to understand its limitations compared to the paid versions. After all, it is a free version, and some features are reserved for the paid plans.

What You’re Missing in the Free Version

• Enhanced eCommerce tracking: If you’re running an online store, you won’t be able to track detailed eCommerce data like conversion rates, average order value, or top-selling products.
• Form tracking: You can’t track form submissions, which can be crucial for lead generation websites.
• Custom dimensions: This feature allows you to track specific data that matters to your business, like tracking logged-in users or custom post types.
• Advanced reports: While you get basic reports, more detailed insights are only available in paid versions.
• Affiliate link tracking: If you’re into affiliate marketing, you’ll miss out on tracking affiliate link clicks.
• Google AMP and Facebook Instant Articles: These features for mobile optimization are only in paid versions.
• Performance tracking: Features like site speed reports are not available in the free version.

Feature Comparison with Paid Features

As you can see, while MonsterInsights Lite offers a good starting point, the paid versions offers more.

Upgrading to Paid Versions

If you’ve been using MonsterInsights Lite and find yourself wanting more, you might be considering an upgrade. Let’s look at what’s involved in moving to a paid version.

Available Plans and Pricing

MonsterInsights offers several paid plans to suit different needs and budgets:

1. Plus: Ideal for bloggers and small businesses. Priced at $99.50/year.
2. Pro: Perfect for small businesses and eCommerce sites. Priced at $199.50/year.
3. Agency: Designed for agencies and developers managing multiple sites. Priced at $399.50/year.

Each plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Upgrading is simple. You can do it directly from your WP dashboard or by visiting the MonsterInsights website. Once you upgrade, you’ll immediately have access to the additional features of your chosen plan.

How to Upgrade to a Paid Plan

Upgrading from MonsterInsights Lite to a paid version is a straightforward process:

1. Go to the MonsterInsights website
2. Choose the plan that best fits your needs
3. Complete the purchase process
4. You’ll receive a license key via email
5. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Insights > Settings > General
6. Enter your license key and click “Verify”

Once verified, you’ll have instant access to all the features of your chosen plan. Your existing data and settings will be preserved, so you won’t lose anything in the upgrade process.

Pros and Cons of Using MonsterInsights

Like any tool, MonsterInsights has its strengths and potential drawbacks. Let’s take a balanced look:

MonsterInsights vs. Other WordPress Analytics Plugins

While MonsterInsights is a popular choice, it’s not the only analytics plugin out there.

Here’s a quick comparison with some alternatives:

1. Google Site Kit: Google’s official WordPress plugin. It’s free but offers fewer features than MonsterInsights.
2. Jetpack: Offers basic stats, but relies on WordPress.com tracking instead of Google Analytics.
3. ExactMetrics: Another popular Google Analytics plugin with both free and paid versions.
4. GA Google Analytics: A simple, lightweight plugin for adding Google Analytics to WordPress.

Each of these has its own strengths and weaknesses. MonsterInsights stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set, especially in its paid versions.

Even in its free version, MonsterInsights offers more features than many competitors. The paid versions are particularly feature-rich. MonsterInsights integrates seamlessly with many popular WordPress plugins and themes, which isn’t always the case with other analytics plugins.

Support and documentation: MonsterInsights offers extensive documentation and responsive customer support, which is a significant advantage over other free alternatives.

Performance: While any plugin can potentially slow down your site, MonsterInsights is generally well-optimized and shouldn’t cause significant performance issues if set up correctly.

Conclusion – MonsterInsights Free Trial

Whew! We’ve covered a lot. Let’s recap the key points about the MonsterInsights free trial:

• MonsterInsights Lite is a free, unlimited trial of the basic features.
• It’s easy to set up and brings Google Analytics data into your WordPress dashboard.
• While it offers solid basic tracking, you’ll miss out on advanced features only available in paid versions.
• Upgrading to a paid version unlocks a whole suite of powerful features.

The MonsterInsights free trial (Lite version) is a great way to dip your toes into the world of website analytics.

It’s perfect for beginners or small websites just starting to track their performance. You get a taste of how MonsterInsights can simplify your analytics process, all without spending a dime.

However, if you’re running a growing business, an eCommerce store, or simply want deeper insights into your website’s performance, you might find the free version limiting. In that case, consider upgrading to one of the paid plans to unlock the full potential of MonsterInsights.

Ready to take control of your website data? Why not give MonsterInsights Lite a try? It’s free, easy to set up, and you might be surprised at what you learn about your website.

FAQs about MonsterInsights Free Trial

Is MonsterInsights Lite really free forever?

Yes, MonsterInsights Lite is completely free and can be used indefinitely.

There’s no time limit or hidden charges.

You can continue using the basic features for as long as you want without paying a dime. However, keep in mind that some advanced features are only available in the paid versions.

What exactly is included in the MonsterInsights free trial?

The MonsterInsights free trial, also known as MonsterInsights Lite, includes basic Google Analytics setup, a WordPress dashboard overview report, page-level analytics, event tracking for outbound links and file downloads, basic eCommerce tracking for WooCommerce, and basic form conversion tracking. It’s a feature-limited version of the plugin that you can use indefinitely, not a time-limited trial of the full version.

Can I upgrade from the free trial to a paid version easily?

Yes, upgrading from MonsterInsights Lite to a paid version is very straightforward. You can do it directly from your WordPress dashboard or by visiting the MonsterInsights website.

Once you upgrade, you’ll immediately have access to the additional features of your chosen plan. All your existing settings and data will be preserved during the upgrade process.

Is the MonsterInsights free trial suitable for eCommerce websites?

While MonsterInsights Lite does offer basic eCommerce tracking for WooCommerce, it may not be sufficient for larger or more complex eCommerce sites.

The free version provides basic metrics like total revenue, number of transactions, and average order value.

However, for more detailed eCommerce analytics, including enhanced eCommerce tracking and custom dimensions, you would need to upgrade to one of the paid versions, particularly MonsterInsights Pro or Agency.

How does MonsterInsights Lite compare to Google Analytics?

MonsterInsights Lite complements Google Analytics rather than replacing it. While Google Analytics provides comprehensive data, it can be overwhelming for beginners. MonsterInsights Lite simplifies this by bringing key metrics directly into your WordPress dashboard in an easy-to-understand format. It also handles the technical setup of Google Analytics, saving you time and potential headaches.

Can I use MonsterInsights Lite on multiple websites?

Yes, you can use MonsterInsights Lite on as many websites as you like. Each installation will need to be set up separately, but there’s no limit to the number of sites you can use it on.

However, if you’re managing multiple sites and want more advanced features, you might want to consider the Agency plan, which is designed for multi-site management.

Does MonsterInsights Lite slow down my website?

MonsterInsights is designed to have minimal impact on your website’s performance.

The plugin itself is lightweight, and it uses Google’s own optimized tracking script.

In most cases, you shouldn’t notice any significant slowdown from using MonsterInsights Lite. However, as with any plugin, it’s always a good idea to monitor your site’s performance when adding new tools.

How often are the reports in MonsterInsights Lite updated?

The reports in MonsterInsights Lite are typically updated every 24-48 hours. This means the data you see in your WordPress dashboard might not be real-time, but it will give you a good overview of your recent performance. If you need real-time data, that’s a feature available in the paid versions of MonsterInsights.

Can I get support if I’m using MonsterInsights Lite?

While priority support is reserved for paid users, MonsterInsights does offer some support options for Lite users. You can access their knowledge base and community forum for help with common issues.

However, for more personalized or urgent support, you’d need to upgrade to a paid plan.