Moving to Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics is the go-to analytics platform for most website’s on the web. The free platform collects data from your website, and reports on how people engage with your website. You can find out what are your most popular pages, track conversions through your website, and even see what channels bring the most traffic to your website.
In July 2019, Google Analytics introduced the next update to the tracking platform – Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This will replace the current Google Analytics in 2023.
Quick Summary
- You need to upgrade to GA4 before July 2023
- The original Google Analytics will stop collecting data after July 2023
- It’s free to upgrade to GA4
- GA4 is very different to the current Google Analytics
In this article we are going to look if you need to upgrade to the new GA4, the differences between them, and how to set up a new GA4 account.
Jump to section:
- Do I need to upgrade to Google Analytics 4?
- What are the differences?
- How to set up Google Analytics 4
- How to add the GA4 tracking code to WordPress
Here at TDMP, we have lots of clients who we have upgraded to the GA4 – it can be difficult to add a new tracking code, so if you want to upgraded to GA4 and don’t know how, get in touch. We are happy to help.
Do I need to upgrade to Google Analytics 4?
From July 2023, the original Google Analytics will stop collecting data, and only the new Google Analytics 4 will collect data moving forward. This means that you need to upgrade to GA4 now, to avoid data loss.
This means that any website still using the original Google Analytics, will not show any new data from July 2023 onwards.
If you work with a marketing agency, they should have already upgraded to GA4, but best to check.
What are the differences between the current Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4?
Data is collected and visualised quite differently in GA4. The naming conventions and reports have changed, and what data you can see on each report.
Visual Differences
It might seem trivial, but the visual differences are a big factor for GA4. Digital marketing consultants and agencies alike have been using the same interface and report layouts since 2013. You could almost compare this change from going from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Current Google Analytics Dashboard
This is a screenshot of the Audience Overview report from the current Google Analytics.
New Google Analytics 4 Dashboard
This is a screenshot of the Acquisition Overview report from GA4
The main differences between each platform is how the data is displayed, and what reports are available. In the current Google Analytics, there are 5 main reports, with multiple sub-reports, making it easy to find what you are looking for. Whereas the reports in GA4 have been condensed down and renamed, with less sub-reports.
Data Differences
The biggest change between the current Google Analytics and GA4, is how data is collected, processed and reported.
The current Google Analytics uses data collected about ‘sessions’ and ‘pageviews’ for your website. A session is a group of interactions on your website that take place within a given time frame. Pageviews are the total number of times a page has been viewed on your website.
GA4 collects data based on events and parameters. An event measures a users’ interaction on your website. A parameter provides further information about events.
The way that both versions collect data is why reports and metrics look so different.
How to set up Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics have a set up wizard you can follow to upgrade your current Google Analytics account to a new GA4 account.
- If you already have a Google Analytics account, you can find the GA4 set up wizard in the settings.
- Login to your Google Analytics account
- Go to the Admin Settings (⚙ bottom left corner)
- Select the property you want to upgrade to GA4
- Click on ‘GA4 Setup Assistant’ – You should now see a section that says ‘I want to create a new Google Analytics 4 property’
- Click ‘Get Started’
- Click ‘Create new property’
- Click ‘Go to property’ – Now you will be on your new GA4 profile. Here you will need to install the new GA4 tracking code on your website.
- To the left of the screen, click ‘Data Streams’
- Your data stream will be the only one in this list, click it
- Now click the yellow ‘View Tag Instructions’
- Follow the instructions to add the tracking code to your website
From here you will see instructions for adding your GA4 tracking code through a website builder, or if you have a WordPress website, you will have to add it manually.
How to add the GA4 tracking code to your website
We would always advise that you ask a digital marketing consultant, or someone with Google Analytics experience to add your GA4 tracking code. This needs to be added in the <head> of your website.
How to add a GA4 tracking code to a WordPress website
- Log in to your GA4 account
- Click on Admin (⚙ bottom left corner)
- Go to ‘Dat Streams’
- Click on your Data Stream (should only be 1 in this list)
- Scroll to the bottom and click ‘View Tag Instructions’
- Click ‘Install Manually’ on this screen
- Copy the full code
- Log in to your WordPress website
- Go to ‘Appearance’ then ‘Theme file editor’
- Select your main theme and look for the ‘header.php’ file
- Open the header.php file
- Find in the code the exact line ‘<head>’
- Add a new line directly under ‘<head>’
- Paste the GA4 tracking code here
- Update the file (below the code box)
Tracking can take up to 24 hours to appear, so wait a day and then log in to your GA4 profile. If you see data, it’s tracking correctly.
We hope this article has given you some insight into GA4, and why it’s important to upgrade.
We are TDMP, The Digital Media Partnership – if you are looking for a digital marketing agency focused on developing your business in partnership with your ambitions, you are in the right place!
See more about our digital marketing services, or use our contact form to set up a consultation with our team.
