It’s been a good minute since we last covered Analytics.

Over time, nothing much really changed but in recent weeks, Analytics has introduced several new key methods of tracking your website data which is set to create a new, more intelligent Google Analytics experience.

As a Knutsford web design agency who work with both local and small businesses, tracking the performance of your website is an essential tool in the growth of your business. Inside this article, we will take a look at the new global site tag along with GA4.

Introducing the new global site tag

According to Google Analytics, the new global site tag will “take your digital analytics to a whole new level by delivering the essential customer insights you need. In order to experience this new Analytics, you will need to upgrade to Google’s latest dynamic tagging solution”.

By updating your current Google Analytics tag (analytics.js) to the new globe site tag (gtag.js), you will benefit from a number of new features including;

• Future-proof conversion measurement: Benefit from the latest features and integrations as they become available so that you’ll be better equipped to continue measuring conversions.
• Code-less tag management: Turn measurement features on and off within your Google Analytics account without having to manually change tags on your page.
• Faster and easier integration: Seamlessly implement and integrate with other Google products, such as Google Ads and Google Optimize.

How do I find my global site tag?

If you are already a client of our Knutsford web design agency, we will easily implement this method for you.

If you have set your own Analytics account up, you can easily find the new global site tag by following these instructions;

• Find your Tracking ID and global site tag
• Sign in to your Analytics account, then ‘Click Admin’.
• Select an account from the menu in the ‘ACCOUNT’ column.
• Select a property from the menu in the ‘PROPERTY’ column.
• Under ‘PROPERTY’, click ‘Tracking Info > Tracking Code’.

Now you have found your global site tag, you need to add this code to your website. By simply copying the code, paste this immediately after the tag on each page of your website.

If you are unsure on how to do this, contact your Knutsford web design agency.

What is GA4 analytics?

GA4, also known as Google Analytics 4, is the fourth update of Google Analytics that uses firebase analytics which is where the name originates from.

Formally known as “App + Web, GA4 is a new kind of property which uses different reports that you will be used to seeing in Universal Analytics properties. The major difference of using a GA4 property is that you can use it for a website, an app or both a website and an app together – Something you couldn’t previously do before.

So what are the new G4 analytics features?

Google Analytics 4 features “data streams” instead of the views and segments used by old Universal Analytics properties.
There is no “view” level section of GA4. Current universal analytics accounts typically use three levels (Account, Property & View), where G4 will only use Account and Property permissions.

Whereas “event tracking” in classic Analytics required modified Analytics code or gtag.js script, Google Analytics 4 claims to enable editing, tracking and fine-tuning of events within the UI. This means interactions like clicks, page-scroll, and more.

Can you add GA4 to a website which already has Analytics?

Absolutely, Analytics makes this as easy as possible to do this with the GA4 Setup Assistant wizard. However, it’s also worth noting that your GA4 property only collects data going forward. To see any historical data, you will still need to use reports in your Universal Analytics property.

How to set GA4 on your existing Universal Analytics account

• Once logged into Analytics, click Admin.
• In the Account column, make sure that your desired account is selected. (If you only have one Google Analytics account, it will already be selected.)
• In the Property column, select the Universal Analytics property that currently collects data for your website.
• In the Property column, click GA4 Setup Assistant. It is the first option in the Property column (directly above “Property Settings”, which is second.)
• Click Get started under “I want to create a new Google Analytics 4 property”.

Note: If your site uses the gtag.js, tag, you have the option to Enable data collection using your existing tags. However, if you use a website builder/CMS (e.g. GoDaddy, etc), Google Tag Manager, or your website is tagged with analytics.js, the wizard can’t reuse your existing tagging and you’ll need to add the tag yourself

Are you ready for the next generation of Analytics?

If you would like to discuss any of these Analytics, simply contact our Knutsford web design agency. For existing clients, we are more than happy to talk you through the changes and make any necessary changes for you.

If you are looking to help with the growth of your website, we are a Knutsford web design agency with years of experience who have worked with both small and large businesses to help