Migration To GA4 (A Step-by-Step Guide)
One such important update is the migration from Universal Analytics (UA) to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This migration allows businesses to leverage the full potential of GA4 and gain valuable insights into user behavior, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their online presence. We will guide you through the basic migration process from Universal Analytics (UA) to GA4. Also, we will walk you through how to connect Google Tag Manager with the WordPress site.
Introduction to GA4
GA4 is the latest version of Google Analytics, designed to provide businesses with advanced analytics capabilities and a more holistic view of user behavior across different platforms and devices. It introduces a new data model and enhanced features that enable deeper insights into user interactions and journeys.
Why Should You Migrate from UA to GA4?
Migrating from UA to GA4 is essential for several reasons. Firstly, GA4 offers a more future-proof solution as it aligns with the changing landscape of digital marketing. It provides better tracking of cross-platform and cross-device user interactions, which is increasingly important in today’s multi-device world. Additionally, GA4 incorporates machine learning capabilities, allowing businesses to gain actionable insights and predictions about user behavior.
It’s important to note that GA3 and GA4 are parallel properties in Analytics, and GA3 data will not convert to GA4, instead, we need to migrate a few settings to access the data in GA4.
Let’s start…
You might have noticed notifications on your analytics dashboard urging you to migrate to GA4.
Click to complete GA4 Setup and start migrating
or
1. Open UA Analytics > Settings > Admin > GA4 Setup Assistant.
2. Check if your property is connected to GA4. If not, click on “Get Started” to create a GA4 property.
3. After creating the property, click on “Go to GA4 property” to proceed.
4. To connect the property with your site, you need to identify the gtag implementation on your site.
For the next step
- Navigate to the “Data Stream” section and locate the arrow icon on the right-hand side, positioned below the “Add Data Stream” button. Click on the arrow icon to expand the options.
- Select “Configure Tag Settings” from the available choices.
- Proceed to the “Installation Instructions” section.
- Choose the option to “Install Manually” for manual installation of the required settings.
Copy and paste this code into every page of your website, immediately after the <head> element. Don’t add more than one Google tag to each page.
Besides this, We have two more ways to connect GA4 with our site. Let’s have a look.
- Google Tag Manager
- WordPress Plugin
If you intend to migrate using Google Tag Manager, it is imperative to have an established GTM account and create a container accordingly. Fortunately, I have already taken the necessary steps to procure a Tag Manager account. This is a simple process and you can easily go down the same, if you find any issues, please drop a comment in the comment section or contact us we will be happy to help. Once your GTM account is set up, please follow the below steps-
- Open Google Tag Manager and locate the existing container for your site.
2. Create a new tag and name it accordingly.
3. Create a new tag and name it accordingly.
4. Enter the generated GA4 ID (e.g., G-ABCDE1RMR6) in the corresponding field
5. Set the trigger to “All Pages” and save the tag.
6. Preview the tag to ensure it is firing correctly without any errors.
7. If the tag is firing without any error then publish it.
If your website is built on WordPress, you can integrate Google Tag Manager with your site through a plugin.
- Log in to the WordPress admin panel of your site and navigate to the plugins section. Choose to add a new plugin.
2. In the search bar, search for the “Google Kit” plugin and install it.
3. After installation, refresh the page and check for the appearance of the plugin.
4. Click on the plugin settings and select “Complete setup for Tag Manager”.
5. Choose the created container and confirm your selection.
By using this plugin, you can easily connect with the tag manager without manually modifying the website’s backend.
Complete the Setup
After connecting GA4 to your site complete the remaining setup. Next, return to the Analytics setup assistance. You will notice that seven incomplete settings need attention. It’s crucial to complete these settings because if left undone, UA discontinuation will automatically modify the settings.
- In the setup, navigate to data collection and mark “Action” as completed.
This will enable data tracking. Turn on Google Signals and mark it as completed or address it under GA4 settings.
2. Proceed to set up conversions and choose to import from UA (Universal Analytics). This allows you to import conversions that were created in UA, although note that some events such as Button Click tracking, and downloads, may need to be manually created in GA4 or through GTM.
Similarly, define your audience by importing from UA or manage it manually, and mark this as completed.
Review these settings and ensure the basic requirements are marked as completed. Monitor your GA4 property to check if data is being received in the reports.
Please note that it may take 24-48 hours for data processing from your website or app.
Conclusion
Migrating from UA to GA4 is a crucial step for businesses looking to leverage the advanced capabilities and insights provided by the latest version of Google Analytics. By following this step-by-step guide and using Gtag and GTM, you can smoothly transition from UA to GA4 while retaining your valuable historical data and optimizing your tracking and analytics setup.
FAQs
Q1: Is it necessary to migrate from UA to GA4?
A1: Migrating from UA to GA4 is highly recommended to take advantage of the advanced features and insights provided by GA4. It offers improved cross-device tracking, machine learning capabilities, and a more comprehensive view of user behavior.
Q2: How to migrate my existing data from UA to GA4?
A2: Google provides a Data Import feature that allows you to transfer certain types of data from UA to GA4. Follow the instructions provided by Google to set up the data import and ensure a smooth transition of your valuable insights.
Q3: Can I still use UA alongside GA4?
A3: Yes, it is recommended to retain your UA property to preserve historical data and continue using it alongside GA4. This allows you to compare data, track changes over time, and ensure a seamless transition between the two versions of Google Analytics.
Q4: How to troubleshoot issues during the migration or while working with GA4?
A4: Google’s documentation and community forums are valuable resources for troubleshooting common issues. You can also reach out to Google support for assistance with specific technical issues or complex scenarios.
Q5: What are the key benefits of migrating to GA4?
A5: Migrating to GA4 offers benefits such as improved cross-platform tracking, enhanced reporting capabilities, machine learning integration, and a more future-proof solution for digital analytics.
