Requirements

This script uses the PHP programming language and its built in mail function which is standard on most commercial web hosting providers. The script must be placed on a page ending with .php in order to function.

Installation instructions

1. Cut and paste the contents of page_visit_notification.php into the page you would like to receive notices about.
2. Change the variable $EmailAddress from youremailaddress@yourdomain.com to your email address.

How it works

Each time the page with this script installed is loaded, it will send an email to your specified address detailing:

• Site Visited: Your website domain name (www.yourwebsite.com). This is useful if you are using the script on multiple sites at once.
• Viewed Page: The actual page that triggered the email (www.yourwebsite.com/yourpage.php). This is useful if you have installed the script on multiple pages.
• IP Address: The IP address of the visitor that triggered the script. With a user’s IP address, you can look up information detailing their service provider, geographic location, etc.
• Referrer: If the user that visited your site followed a link or was referred by another source, it will be reflected here. If the user followed a bookmark, typed the address into their browser, or otherwise has not referrer, it will be blank.
• User Agent: This field includes details about the visitor’s web browser. This is useful in distinguishing bots and automated visitors from real people.

Suggested Uses

This script is useful because it provides a real-time alert whenever your specified page is visited. It can be used to judge the effectiveness of a marketing campaign, or alert you to the amount of traffic one page is receiving.

Try printing the location of a hidden page on the back of your business cards. You’ll get a notification each time someone visits the page, and you’ll know how many people are taking the time to visit your site from your business cards.