Place a server log on the fire

If you use a mailbot or host a storefront on the web, your service provider's computer automatically keeps a log of all your visitors or information requesters. The log for a Web site shows only the domain or network name from which each visitor hails; while a mailbot log shows the e-mail address of each visitor. The server log can help you light a fire under your company. By knowing who visits your site, you can adjust or enhance your marketing attack accordingly.

You might run a series of classified ads that direct people to your site or mailbot. Run the ads in different weeks on each of the major online services and check your server log to see whether there us a corresponding increase in activity from each service's domain during the week your ads ran.