How to use Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

From 1st July 2023 Universal Analytics will no longer work and you will need to learn how to use Google Analytics 4 (GA4).

But luckily it’s not as scary as it sounds!

I’ve filmed a quick video that walks you through the process of signing up for the first time, moving from the current Universal Analytics to GA4 as well as an overview of what it does and how it can help you in your business.

Why use Google Analytics?

Google Analytics is a great tool to help you measure the amount of visitors to your website, where they’ve come from and what they are looking at. You can also get data such as what device they are using, the times of day you get the most visitors along with, if enabled, demographics and other information about your users.

You can also set goals not only for audience but for sales on your website and conversions.

So, what’s happening on the 1st July?

Previously, Google was running Universal analytics but like everything it’s eventually time for an upgrade.

With the new Google Analytics 4 you get:

Enhanced Reports
GDPR Compliance
AI data
Improved data collection

From 1st July the previous version of Google Analytics will cease to work and they will automatically move you over to GA4 with the default settings.

Which is fine if you only have the default settings currently. But if you have set up goals, events etc. in Universal Analytics you will need to import them over. It’s also a good idea to back up and export your past data.

Can I just do nothing?

Good question and as I said they will automatically be moving you over BUT once moved over and your Universal Analytics account is deleted, then unless you have previously set up dual connection on your website it will stop tracking data as GA4 will give you a different tracking code.

So it’s best to reconnect before that happens so that you can carry on seeing the data in your account.