Google Analytics is a tool used to track website performance and user behavior. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is a new version that offers more detailed insights into user behavior across devices and platforms, as well as greater controls over data privacy and protection.
GA4 Benefits
The benefits of GA4 include:
- More detailed insights: GA4 allows website owners to gain a more complete picture of how users interact with their site, from the first touchpoint to the final conversion. This is valuable as consumers increasingly use multiple devices and channels in their path to purchase.
- Improved data privacy and protection: GA4 offers more granular controls over data collection and user consent, including the ability to exclude data from certain users or segments and customize data retention periods.
- New features and tools: GA4 includes enhanced eCommerce tracking, advanced analysis tools like predictive metrics and machine learning-powered insights, and more.
Making The Switch
While making the switch to GA4 does require some adjustments, the benefits can be significant. By gaining more detailed insights into user behavior, improving data privacy and protection, and leveraging new features and tools, website owners can better understand their audience and improve their marketing efforts.
Overall, GA4 is an important tool for staying ahead of the curve and achieving long-term success in digital marketing. To help with the switch, here is a quick guide on how to update a WordPress website to GA4. To switch your WordPress website to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), you will need to follow these steps:
1. Create a GA4 property in your Google Analytics account.
2. Install the GA4 tracking code on your WordPress website. You can use a plugin like Google Site Kit to do this. Once you have installed the plugin, connect it to your Google Analytics account and select the GA4 property you created in step 1.
3. Update your website’s tracking settings to use GA4 instead of Universal Analytics. To do this, go to your website’s Google Analytics settings and change the tracking ID to the Measurement ID for your GA4 property.
4. Make sure that all of your website’s custom events and goals are updated to use the new GA4 syntax. You may need to work with a developer to do this – or have us do it!
5. Once you have updated your tracking settings and events, start using GA4 to track your website’s data.
It’s important to note that GA4 is a completely new version of Google Analytics, so you will need to re-learn how to use it and adjust your reporting accordingly. The Toolbox Studios Team is ready for the change and is more than happy to answer any questions you have to make sure you are using GA4 to its fullest potential.