Conversion
Goal
Also called objective.
Goal is the configured definition of a successful action. It turns an event into something the dashboard tracks as a target.
How it is measured
You choose an event name, mark it as a goal, and the dashboard counts it. A goal needs a stable trigger and a clear owner.
In Tarsier a goal is an event name you add on the goals page. It shows a count and a rate against visitors in the period.
Worked example
A coworking space adds a goal named tour_booked. In the first month it shows 58 completions from 3,400 visitors, a rate of 1.7 percent. A second goal, newsletter_joined, shows 410.
The owner sees tours matter far more to revenue than newsletter signups and reorders the home page accordingly.
How it differs
A goal is the definition. A goal completion is one hit on it. A conversion is the outcome in business terms. A funnel leads up to it. A micro-conversion is a smaller step.
Common errors
Setting a goal that fires on page load. Creating many overlapping goals. Naming by tool not by meaning. Changing the trigger without a note. Having no owner.
In practice
Pick two goals, one primary and one supporting, and review them weekly.