CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
TechnologyOct 16, 2018
The Smart Lab: Is Your Google Analytics Being Held Hostage?
Emmanuel Raheb shoots holes in the common excuses given by web hosting or marketing agencies for not giving ex-clients access to their own Google Analytics.
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and coveted Premier Google Partner. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
When companies decide to switch website hosts, they often lose access to the basics like Google Analytics.
Google Analytics is a free and easy-to-use tool that you can use to collect data on your website traffic. Anything from your conversion rate to how each page on your website is performing can be measured using this web software.
The data compiled is yours, but failing to take the proper precautions early on could mean that you will get locked out of your Google Analytics forever. 
Excuses, Excuses
Here at Smart Age Solutions, we’ve observed that web hosting or marketing agencies will make excuses for why they cannot transfer access to you.
Some of the most common excuses are as follows.
”We are incapable of transferring access.”
Google has a simple process, which we describe below, for changing user permissions.
“As the client, you have to download your historical data.”
This is simply not true and very cumbersome if you have years worth of data that will need to be imported into a new Google Analytics account. You shouldn’t have to be inconvenienced to get access to information that belongs to you.
“We can’t keep the account live for long.”
Your account on Google Analytics can stay live indefinitely.
“There’s a secret code that our hosting company owns that’s in the Analytics account.”
Google uses your website’s URL and tracking ID to collect data. This information is your property and your web host cannot claim that it is a “secret.”
Here is how you can check if you have admin access on Google Analytics, and how you can change user permissions if you do.
1. Log in to your account.
2. Click “Admin” on the bottom left.
3. Click “User Management” (in the left-hand column).
4. You have admin access if you see a list of users’ names, email addresses and permissions. Your permissions should state that you can “Manage Users.”
5. You do not have admin access if see a message on your screen that reads:
Account Permissions
You have access to this account, but you don’t have permission to manage this account’s users. Without user management permissions, you cannot add/remove users or change other users’ permissions.
To manage this account’s users, one of this account’s administrators must grant you user management permissions.
Why Do Companies Do This?
Most companies that do these things want you to feel pain when you leave them. They’re upset that
they lost business and are being spiteful, and they are using your lack of knowledge against you.
Any ethical company won’t withhold your data from you. Always question companies that make excuses like the ones above. No company can claim to have a “secret” strategy formula within the software since Analytics is a Google product.
We strongly advise that clients get admin access to their Google Analytics as soon as possible, even if they are not thinking about switching website hosts. We also advise companies to make sure they get it in writing that they own and have this access.
All your website visitors’ behavior is being tracked by Google so delete your old web hosting company’s access before they delete yours.
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and Premier Google Partner. With nearly 18 years’ digital marketing and e-commerce experience, Raheb is passionate about helping national jewelry brands and local retailers alike. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
Any ethical company won’t withhold your data from you. Always question companies that make excuses like the ones above. No company can claim to have a “secret” strategy formula within the software since Analytics is a Google product.
We strongly advise that clients get admin access to their Google Analytics as soon as possible, even if they are not thinking about switching website hosts. We also advise companies to make sure they get it in writing that they own and have this access.
All your website visitors’ behavior is being tracked by Google so delete your old web hosting company’s access before they delete yours.
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and Premier Google Partner. With nearly 18 years’ digital marketing and e-commerce experience, Raheb is passionate about helping national jewelry brands and local retailers alike. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
More on Technology
The Latest
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
