Welcome back SEO fam, we're going to delve into the intricacies of setting up Google Analytics 4, or GA4 as it's fondly known. GA4 is the next generation of Google Analytics, designed to offer you a more comprehensive understanding of how users interact with your online content. Without further ado, let's get started!
01. Setting up a New GA4 Property
Access Google Analytics: Log into your Google Analytics account at analytics.google.com. If you do not have an account, it's straightforward to create one.
Create a Property: Navigate to the Admin section (the gear icon at the bottom left), then click on "+Create Property" in the "Property" column.
Choose GA4: Google Analytics will prompt you to select the property type. Opt for "Google Analytics 4" and click "Next."
Configure Your Property: Fill in the relevant details like the property name, industry category, time zone, and currency.
Click "Create": After providing the required information, click "Create" to set up your GA4 property.
02. Data Stream Setup
Create a Data Stream: Once the property is created, the next step is to set up a data stream. You can create a data stream for a website, iOS app, or Android app, based on your requirement.
Enter Your Website Details: If you're creating a data stream for a website, provide your website's URL and name, then click "Create stream."
Collect Measurement ID: After the data stream is set up, Google Analytics will provide a "Measurement ID" (a string starting with G-). This will be used for tracking.
03. Installing GA4 Tag with Google Tag Manager (GTM)
Access Google Tag Manager: Log into your Google Tag Manager account (tagmanager.google.com) and select the relevant account and container for your website.
Create New Tag: Click "New Tag" > "Tag Configuration" > "GA4 Configuration."
Input Measurement ID: Paste the Measurement ID from GA4 into the "Measurement ID" field.
Select Trigger: In "Triggering", select the appropriate trigger, such as "All Pages" for a basic setup. You can customize this as per your needs.
Save the Tag: Name your tag suitably and click "Save."
Publish Changes: In Google Tag Manager, click "Submit" > "Publish" to make the tag live.
04. Verification and Debugging
Check for Errors: In Google Tag Manager, use the "Preview" mode to test whether the GA4 tag is firing correctly.
Verify Real-Time Data: In GA4, check the "Real-time" report to ensure that data is being received.
05. Event Tracking and Configuration
Track Events: GA4 automatically tracks some key events like first visit, session start, page view, etc. You can also create custom events based on your requirements in the "Events" section in GA4.
Configure User Properties: User properties help in understanding the attributes of your audience. You can configure them in the "User Properties" section.
Enhanced Measurement: GA4 also provides "Enhanced Measurement" which automatically tracks interactions like scrolls, outbound clicks, video engagement, and more. You can enable or disable these as per your needs.
And voila! You've successfully set up GA4.
Till next time!