“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
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.

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
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.
The Latest

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.


Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.