Google Analytics 4 is a completely redesigned platform with a new user interface, tag template, data model, and configuration stages. This lesson explains how to get started with the platform and choose the best configuration, covering the first steps and future guidance.
Why is Google Analytics so important?
Google Analytics is an essential tool for increasing the success of your website, whether it’s for the company or blogging. The tool offers real-time data on visitor activity and site visibility. You may focus on what works and avoid failures by focusing on popular posts or popular items. Google Analytics is capable of identifying locations where users are becoming lost or confused on your site, which can have a substantial influence on its performance.
How to Setup Google Analytics 4
1. Develop a Google Analytics 4 property and data stream
Go to the Admin section of the Google Analytics interface, input your company’s name, nation, reporting time zone, and principal currency, and then visit analytics.google.com for the first property. Fill out some questions and select your company’s objectives. To make the procedure easier, obtain baseline reports.
2. Download and set up Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 may be installed in three ways: using a Google Analytics plugin or integration, with GTAG (Google Tag, native GA4 tracking code), or with Google Tag Manager. You can select one alternative based on your website and circumstances.
- Install GA4 via a plugin: This is appropriate for major content management systems that already have GA4 support or plugins. WordPress, for example, may all be used to integrate GA4. Go to Google Analytics > Admin > Data Streams > Select your web data stream to discover the measurement ID. Copy and paste the measurement ID into the plugin’s settings.
- Install GA4 using the native tracking code: If your website lacks native GA4 integration or does not support GA4 plugins, request that the developer install the native GA4 tracking code right in the source code. Select your Web Data Stream in GA4 Admin > Data Streams, then click View tag instructions and Install manually.
- Install GA4 with Google Tag Manager: Install Google Tag Manager on your site, choose your web data stream, and copy the measurement ID for additional flexibility. Enter the ID from the GA4 interface in the Tag ID column, then select Initialization—All Pages and name the tag, such as Google Tag.
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3. Study Google Analytics’ DebugView 4
Login to your account > Admin > DebugView to debug Google Agnalytics 4 data. This section appears only when the debug mode is activated. This should not be combined with GTM Preview or Debug mode. Install the Google Analytics Debugger extension in your Chrome browser if GA4 was installed by method 1 (plugin) or method 2 (GTAG). Visit numerous pages on your website.
If GA4 was installed with Google Tag Manager, GTM Preview mode displays data in the GA4 debugview automatically. To examine the list of parameters and the value obtained by GA4, click on each event. If debugview does not function, consult the troubleshooting instructions or reload the DebugView page. Check that you’ve picked the right Debug device in the upper left corner. It may take a while to locate your device if numerous visitors have activated the debug view.
4. Update Google Tag Manager with your adjustments
This step is only necessary if you are installing GA4 with GTM. Once you’ve confirmed that the data is being brought in and shown correctly, you should publish your GA4 modifications in the GTM container.
Then, in the upper right corner, click SUBMIT to complete the steps on the user interface. Following that, you should start seeing fresh data in your real-time reports too.
5. Google Analytics 4 reporting in real time
In comparison to the previous version’s Universal Analytics, Google Analytics 4 provides a more detailed view of data. In the previous 30 minutes, users may monitor traffic sources, popular events, and user measurements. By clicking the View button, you can look at a user snapshot. Find this button in the upper-right corner. This enables people to see events at a finer level. Click the quit snapshot button in the upper right corner to quit the snapshot.
Finally, set the system to disable internal traffic, raise data retention to 14 months, and enable cross-domain tracking.
Conclusion
Google Analytics 4 is a vastly different tool than prior versions, with an extensive learning process ahead of you. The best choice for recording interactions and transmitting them to Google Analytics is Google Tag Manager, but it has a steep learning curve. The Google Tag Manager Masterclass for Beginners provides a faster, more efficient method.
