5 Easy Steps to Set Up Google Analytics 4

In 2022, Google announced that in 2023 it will sunset Universal Analytics and move to Google Analytics 4.

Designed to help businesses succeed by improving measurement standards and data caption, Google Analytics 4 should be an Adwords consultant’s best friend. But first, you need to understand how to set up Google Analytics 4.

Here’s how.

Create an Account

If you don’t have an existing Google Analytics account, you need to create one. When you start creating a new account, Google by default creates a Google Analytics 4 account and a new property.

You can create an account by clicking ‘create property’ in the admin section of Google Analytics.

GA4 does not use ‘views,’ as everything is now visible at property level.

After you’ve gone through the appropriate checks and completed the ‘about your business section,’ you should be able to accept the terms and conditions and get going.

Upgrade to GA4

After deciding to set up a Google Analytics 4 account, it’s important to upgrade from your existing Universal Analytics property.

If you already have Universal Analytics running, you should notice the ‘GA4 setup assistant’ in the admin section. Clicking this will start an assistant to help you set up Google Analytics 4.

After this, you will be prompted to create a new GA4 property. In doing so, you will see a checklist that you will need to complete. This includes everything from Configure Enhanced Measurement to Link Google Ads.

After you have completed this process, you should have upgraded to Google Analytics 4.

Track Code to Your Website

There are many ways to add GA4 tracking code to your website. One of the easiest ways is to connect the Measurement ID to an existing UA property.

If you already have a Universal Analytics installed, you need to connect the GA4 Measurement ID under Universal Analytics Property in tracking. This can be found in ‘Tracking Info.’

After clicking ‘Data Streams’ and then ‘Web,’ you should be presented with a GA4 Measurement ID. Next, copy and paste this ID into the ‘Connected Site Tags’ box and click ‘Connect’. This will link your Universal Analytics property.

Add GA4 Tracking Code Using Google Tag Manager

After following the above steps, you now need to add a tracking code using Google Tag Manager. Google Tag Manager has a native tag type that can be used for this setup.

This works as follows:

1.Click ‘Add a New Tag’
2.Click ‘Tag Configuration’
3.Select ‘GA4 Configuration’
4.Enter your Measurement ID
5.Click ‘Trigger’
6.Select ‘All Pages’
7.Renamed this tag to the name of your choice
8.Click ‘Save’; enter your URL, and click ‘Start’
9.Finally, click ‘Publish’

By adding this GA4 tracking code, you should capture data across all areas of your website.

Test the New Tag

Now that Google Analytics 4 is set up, it needs to be tested.

When testing GA4, it’s important to use the DebugView. All interactions will feed into this tool and will enable you to review if you are collecting all the required information.

As with anything new, setting up Google Analytics takes time. But with the help of a Google Ads specialist, this new tool could be extremely useful in the future.