Hits versus Visits?

[Barry]

Ok, this is kind of a newbie question, but when looking at website traffic, what is the difference between "hits" versus "visits"?

In other words what is the deffination of a hit and what is the deffination of a visit?

[ResaleBroker]

In other words what is the deffination of a hit and what is the deffination of a visit?

HITS: Each time a Web server sends a file to a browser, it is recorded in the server log file as a "hit." Hits are generated for every element of a requested page (including graphics, text and interactive terms). If a page containing two graphics is viewed by a user, three hits will be recorded - one for the page itself and one for each graphic. Webmasters use hits to measure their server's work load. Because page designs vary greatly, hits are a poor guide for traffic measurement

VISITS: Whenever a request is made to the server from a given IP address (a computer), the amount of time since a previous request by the address is calculated (if any). If the time difference is greater than 30 minutes (or has never made a request before), it is considered a new visit, and this total is incremented. So if a user visits your site at 1:00 in the afternoon, and then returns at 3:00, two visits would be registered.

[SanDiego]

Awww... and don't forget about "unique Visits" which describe the amount of visits to yuor site from different IP address within the 24 hour period (mine starts at midnight on the east coast)....these Uniques might be more helpful in determening traffic then regular hits..
(BTW - I use AWstats - It has these, others may or may not...)

[Barry]

Great! Thanks guys.

[myrealtyfeed]

Keep these terms in mind if you ever decide to advertise online.

[flip22]

this is exactly what I use to guage growth of my sites.

Awww... and don't forget about "unique Visits" which describe the amount of visits to yuor site from different IP address within the 24 hour period (mine starts at midnight on the east coast)....these Uniques might be more helpful in determening traffic then regular hits..
(BTW - I use AWstats - It has these, others may or may not...)

[Boston Condo Guy]

My web host provides a few different programs for measuring stats - what are folks' opinions on the best package to use to obtain the most robust, and probably more important, accurate stats for your traffic?