How to setup New Google Analytics ?

Introduction

In the fast-evolving realm of online analytics, staying current is essential for grasping your website’s performance and user behavior. Google Analytics, the quintessential web analytics tool, has recently undergone a significant transformation, introducing an enhanced interface. In this article, we’ll navigate you through the process of configuring the new Google Analytics for your website, helping you unlock valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

Why Opt for the New Google Analytics?

Before we delve into the setup procedure, let’s briefly delve into why embracing the new Google Analytics is a smart choice:

1. User-Centric Emphasis: The new Google Analytics places a greater emphasis on comprehending user behavior and journeys, offering a more comprehensive view of how visitors engage with your website.
2. Simplified Event Tracking: Tracking user interactions, such as clicks, downloads, and video views, has become more intuitive, enabling you to effectively gauge user engagement.
3. Enhanced Reporting: The updated reporting capabilities provide greater flexibility and customization options, simplifying the extraction of meaningful insights from your data.
4. Privacy-Centric: The new Google Analytics respects user privacy by enhancing data retention controls and adhering to global privacy regulations.

How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress

You must configure your Google Analytics (GA). Click this link where you can connect to an existing Google account or create a new one.

If you already have a Google Analytics account, then go to the next section. Otherwise, follow these steps:

Step 1: Establish a Google Analytics Property

1.1 Sign In or Create an Account:

To get started, you’ll need to access Google Analytics. If you already have an account, simply sign in using your existing Google credentials. If not, you can swiftly create an account by visiting the Google Analytics website and clicking on the “Start for free” button.

1.2 Navigate to the Admin Section:

Upon signing in, you’ll land on the Google Analytics homepage. At the bottom left corner of the page, you’ll find the “Admin” tab. Clicking on this tab takes you to the Admin section, where you manage your Analytics settings.

1.3 Establish a New Property:

Within the Admin section, you’ll encounter three columns: Account, Property, and View. Under the “Property” column, locate and click on the “Create Property” option. This action initiates the process of setting up a new property specifically for your website.

1.4 Enter Vital Property Details:

In this phase, you’ll provide essential information about your website, including:

• Property Name: Assign a distinctive and easily recognizable name to your property, ideally matching your website’s domain name.
• Website URL: Enter your website’s precise URL, including the “https://” or “http://” prefix.
• Industry Category and Reporting Time Zone: Select the industry category that best characterizes your website, and pick the appropriate time zone corresponding to your location or target audience.

1.5 Configure Data Streams:

Depending on your requirements, you may need to configure data streams for various platforms, such as web, iOS, or Android. For most websites, the primary focus will be on setting up the web data stream, which tracks user activity on your website.

1.6 Save and Acquire Tracking Code:

Upon concluding the property setup, ensure you save your settings. Google Analytics will then furnish you with a unique tracking code snippet, a crucial element to integrate into your website’s code.

Step 2: Integrate Tracking Code into Your Website

2.1 Obtain the Tracking Code:

Once you’ve established a property in Google Analytics, as explained in the previous steps, you will receive a distinct tracking code. This code consists of JavaScript that needs to be integrated into your website’s code.

2.2 Installing the Code:

The method for adding the tracking code depends on your website’s platform and your technical proficiency. There are a couple of approaches:

a. Manual Installation:

If you’re comfortable working with your website’s code, you can manually insert the tracking code into your web page’s HTML. Typically, it’s best to include it just before the closing `</head>` tag in your website’s HTML code.

<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-26575989-48"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'UA-32422-48');
</script>

 Remember that each page on your website should contain this tracking code to ensure accurate data collection.

b. Using Plugins or Tag Managers:

If you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, you can simplify the process by utilizing plugins such as “Google Analytics for WordPress” or “MonsterInsights.”

Alternatively, you can employ a tag manager, such as Google Tag Manager, to manage various tracking codes, including Google Analytics, without needing to directly modify your website’s code.

2.3 Validate the Installation:

After you’ve added the tracking code, it’s crucial to confirm that it’s functioning correctly. Google Analytics offers a real-time reporting feature that enables you to check if data is being collected.

Following a successful installation, you should start observing data in your Google Analytics account within a few hours.

2.4 Testing:

It’s highly recommended to test the tracking code to ensure it accurately captures user interactions on your website. You can simulate interactions such as pageviews, clicks, and form submissions to verify that the data is being recorded correctly.

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Step 3: Customize Data Streams and Events

1. Event Tracking: The new Google Analytics facilitates tracking user interactions as events. Specify the user actions you wish to track, such as clicks on specific buttons, form submissions, or video views.
2. Custom Dimensions and Metrics: Create custom dimensions and metrics to monitor unique data pertinent to your website, such as user demographics or engagement with specific sections of your site.

Step 4: Define Goals and Conversions

1. Conversion Tracking: Clearly outline the goals and conversions you intend to measure. This may encompass form submissions, purchases, or other pivotal actions on your website.

Step 5: Activate Enhanced Measurement

1. Enhanced Measurement: Enable Enhanced Measurement to automatically track valuable data, including page views, scroll tracking, outbound clicks, and site searches.

Step 6: Review Data Retention and User Deletion Settings

1. Data Retention: Scrutinize and configure data retention settings to align with your data storage necessities and privacy commitments.
2. User Deletion: Ensure compliance with privacy regulations by configuring user data deletion settings.

Step 7: Implement E-commerce Tracking (if applicable)

1. E-commerce Tracking: If your website is e-commerce-oriented, activate e-commerce tracking to monitor sales, revenue, and product performance.

Step 8: Thoroughly Test and Verify

1. Testing Tracking: After setup, conduct comprehensive testing to verify the accuracy of tracking and data collection.

Step 9: Explore Reports and Insights

1. Dashboard Exploration: Familiarize yourself with the new Google Analytics dashboard and reports to glean insights into user behavior, audience demographics, traffic sources, and more.
2. Custom Reports: Craft tailor-made reports and dashboards that cater to your specific analytical requirements.
3. Real-Time Analytics: Keep tabs on real-time user activity on your website to assess the impact of recent alterations or campaigns.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, configuring the new Google Analytics for your website represents a pivotal stride toward comprehending your audience and making informed choices. The fresh features and user-centric approach proffer a more comprehensive perspective on your website’s performance and user interaction. By adhering to the steps delineated in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to harness the potency of data-driven insights, ultimately optimizing your online presence.