System and method for tracking unique visitors to a website

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing traffic to a website is provided that is based on log files and that uses both server-side and client-side information channeled through one source to create a more complete picture of activity to a website. In one preferred embodiment, a sensor code is embedded in a requested web page, and sends information back to the web server where the website resides. This additional information is logged along with normal requests.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of analyzing traffic to a website hosted by a server, comprising: 
 sending a web page with an embedded sensor in response to a request from a client;    wherein the sensor sends an additional request to the server when the web page is received by the client.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional request is adapted to not be intercepted by a cache/proxy system.  
     
     
         3 . A method of obtaining information about a visitor to a website hosted by a server, comprising: 
 delivering data to the visitor in response to a first request; and    sending information about the first request to the server after the data is delivered to the visitor.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the information about the first request is formatted so as to not be intercepted by a cache/proxy system.