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Google Analytics 4: Steps You Should Take Now

calendar july 2022

UPDATE: March, 2023

The July 1 deadline for the mandatory migration to GA4 is rapidly approaching.  If you haven’t yet set up your properties, don’t waste another minute.  The sooner you set up your properties, the more YoY data you will have for comparison next year.  Just as importantly, it takes time to learn how to navigate GA4, not just finding your way around the platform, but figuring out how to produce reports that provide the information you need to make smart decisions about your website and marketing strategies.

Earlier this year, Google announced they will sunset the current Universal Analytics properties in 2023.  Google says, “On July 1, 2023, standard Universal Analytics properties will no longer process data.  You’ll be able to see your Universal Analytics reports for a period of time after July 1, 2023. However, new data will only flow into Google Analytic 4 properties.”  Although this change doesn’t happen until next year, there are things that need to be done within the next few months so you are prepared and don’t lose valuable insights when the official change takes place.

If the change to Google Analytics 4 isn’t until 2023, why do I need to worry about it now?

In order to use Google Analytics to compare your website performance year over year, you need to take action now. Set up a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property before July 1, 2022, to begin collecting data you can use for this comparison.  It isn’t necessary to switch to the GA4 reporting tools just yet, but setting it up will make life easier for you next year when you migrate to the GA4 reporting.

We’ve outlined the steps for creating and configuring a Google Analytics 4 property for you here so you don’t miss out on collecting your data in the new tool.

Steps to Set up GA4: 

  1. Create a GA4 Property in Google Analytics 
  2. Add GA4 tracking tags to your website 
  3. Review and update GA4 configurations  
  4. Add events and conversions 
  5. Connect Google products 
  6. Testing

TIP

The Blue Tangerine team is ready to help you set up your GA4 accounts.  Connect with us here to find out more.

Stay connected to our blog and social media for more tips and updates on how to utilize the new GA4.

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Step 1: Creating a GA4 Property from your existing Universal Analytics Property

  1. From your Google Analytics Admin console, click “GA4 Setup Assistant” for the property.

screenshot of GA4 Setup assistant

  1. Click the “Get Started” button.

screenshot of GA4 Property Setup Assistant

  1. Based on how your current Universal Analytics tags are set up on your website, you may or may not be able to migrate existing tags. If you are able to, you may check the box to “Enable data collection using your existing tags.” Otherwise, continue by clicking the “Create Property” button.

screenshot of GA4 Create Property Screen

    You will see a page that confirms you have successfully connected your property to GA4. 

GA4 Successful Property Setup Screenshot

 Learn more about GA4 Properties from Google.

Step 2: Add GA4 tracking tags to your website

Now that your GA4 property has been created, it’s time to install the GA4 tracking tags onto your website. You can either have your website developer add the tracking scripts directly to your website’s code or if you use Google Tag Manager, you can add it there.  

  1. Click the “See your GA4 property” button.

GA4 Successful Property Setup Screenshot

  1. Click the arrow in the “Tag Installation” section.

GA$ Tag Installation screenshot

  1.  Click the arrow in the data stream.

GA4 Data Streams screen

  1. Select the option for installing your tracking tags, depending on how your existing Google Analytics tracking is set up. Follow the instructions presented on the screen.

Screenshot GA4 Tagging instructions

Step 3: Review and Update GA4 property configurations

Although the basic steps to create and install your GA4 property are complete, you will want to review the standard GA4 configurations and make any necessary changes. Here are some of the configuration settings to review.  

  • Admin > Data Settings 
  • Admin > Attribution Settings 
  • Data Streams > More Tagging Settings 
  • Configure > Custom Definitions
GA4 property configurations view
GA4 screenshot of additional settings options

Step 4: Add Events and Conversions

GA4 automatically sets up its standard events to track in the reporting. If you have other events that you want to track other than these default events, you will need to set them up per the GA4 standards. You can read more about those here. 

GA4 events and conversions dashboard

Step 5: Connect Other Google Products

If you’re using Google Ads, Google Search Console, or any of these other Google products, be sure to link your accounts to this new GA4 Property. To do this, go to the GA4 Admin console, click on the product and follow the instructions to establish the links. 

List of Google Product Links

Step 6: Testing

Now that you’re done setting up, installing, configuring, adding events and conversion and linking, it’s important to do a final test to ensure that data is recording in all of the areas as expected.  

As you browse your website, use the Realtime reports to ensure that your activity is being recorded. Also, test any events and conversions that you have set up to ensure they are recorded in the reporting. Once you’ve confirmed the initial Realtime test results, wait about 24-48 hours to check the standard (non-Realtime) GA4 reports. At that time, the data should be available for you to review for a final check.

Screenshot GA4 Realtime Reports overview

Congratulations! You’re now set up on Google Analytics 4! Be sure to stay tuned to the Blue Tangerine blog for more updates on how to utilize the new features of GA4. And, we’re here to help if you need it, just contact us or give us a call 321-209-6900.

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mila Sorenson
MILA SORENSON, SR. DIRECTOR of MARKETING & CLIENT SERVICESWith over 25 years of marketing experience, Mila specializes in helping clients formulate marketing plans to capture more leads, sales and ROI through services such as SEO, Paid Search, Email Marketing, Social Media, Geofencing, and Website Design.