Your web server log file contains valuable information about the visitors to your website. Analysis of the server log can reveal patterns of use, and problems that need attention.

Many web hosting providers limit access to the server log file, which can reduce your ability to analyze the way that visitors use your website. Full log access is an important criterion when choosing a host service.

Server log files are usually written in a format called Common Log Format. If you have access to your server logs, they will probably look like the example shown at the link above. If you do not have access to your server logs, you may want to consider changing your website hosting to get log access.