What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a free web analytics service offered by Google that helps businesses track and analyse website traffic.
It provides businesses with insights into their website’s performance, such as the number of visitors, where they come from, and how they interact with the website.
Whether you have a new website or an existing Universal Analytics property, we can make setting up your data streams hassle free!
What is Google Analytics 4?
Google Analytics 4 is the latest iteration of Google Analytics, released in October 2020. It is designed to provide businesses with even more insights into customer behaviour and website performance.
The main difference between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 is that GA4 is event-driven, meaning that it collects data based on specific user interactions, rather than just page views and sessions.
Key Differences Between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4
Event-Driven Data Collection
Google Analytics 4 uses an event-driven data model, meaning that it tracks specific user interactions, such as clicks, video views, and form submissions.
This provides a much more granular view of customer behaviour and website performance, allowing businesses to gain insights into the effectiveness of their website and marketing campaigns.
Cross-Device Tracking
Google Analytics 4 allows businesses to connect and track user behaviour across multiple devices, providing a more comprehensive insight into customer behaviour.
This is particularly useful for e-commerce businesses, where customers may browse the site on one device and purchase on another.
AI-Powered Insights
Google Analytics 4 comes complete with built-in machine learning capabilities that provide businesses with automatic insights into their website’s performance.
These insights can help businesses identify opportunities for improvement and make data-driven decisions for their business.
Privacy-Focused Features
Google Analytics 4 is designed with user privacy in mind, with features that help businesses comply with privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA.
For example, a GA4 property allows businesses to enable a user opt-out for advertising personalisation.
Streamlined Reporting
Google Analytics 4 comes with simplified and streamlined reports, making it easier for businesses to access and analyse their website’s data.
The reports interface is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly, providing businesses with a quicker path to insights and all the data required to make better strategic decisions.
Benefits of Using Google Analytics 4
Gain Deeper Insights into Customer Behaviour
With event-driven data collection and AI-powered insights, Google Analytics 4 provides businesses with a more comprehensive understanding of customer behaviour.
This report can help businesses optimise their website and marketing campaigns for better results.
Improve Cross-Device Tracking
By tracking user behaviour across multiple devices, businesses can gain insights into how customers interact with their website and marketing campaigns across different channels. This can help businesses optimise their campaigns for better results.
Ensure Compliance with Privacy Regulations
Google Analytics 4 is designed with user privacy in mind, with features that help businesses comply with privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA.
This process can help businesses avoid costly fines and legal issues.
Simplify Reporting and Analysis
With a streamlined reporting interface and intuitive data visualisation, Google Analytics 4 makes it easier for businesses to access and analyse their website’s data.
This can help businesses make more informed decisions and optimise their website and marketing campaigns for better results.
Why Choose our Agency for GA4 Setup?
Our team of experts have extensive experience with Google Analytics and have been trained on the latest GA4 update. We can help you with everything from initial setup of Google Tag Manager, to advanced configuration and analysis.
Some of the benefits of working with us include:
Customised Setup
We will work with you to understand your unique business needs and set up your account with GA4 accordingly. We’ll ensure that your data stream shows you exactly what you need to know!
Advanced Configuration
Our team can help you with advanced configuration (either directly through your GA4 property or Google Tag Manager) with options such as event tracking, custom dimensions, and more.
Data Analysis
We can help you interpret and analyse the data collected by GA4 to inform your business decisions based on your web user behaviour.
Ongoing Support
We are committed to providing ongoing support and guidance to ensure GA4 is working optimally for your business, when your goals change, so does your reporting.
FAQs About Google Analytics 4
Is Google Analytics 4 free?
Yes, Google Analytics 4 is a free web analytics service offered by Google, just like previous versions of Google Analytics.
Do I need to switch to Google Analytics 4?
While it is not necessary to switch to Google Analytics 4 immediately, we highly recommend upgrading to take advantage of the latest features and insights as well as to start building what will be historical data.
Additionally, Google has stated that they will eventually phase out support for the Universal Analytics property, so it is best to upgrade sooner rather than later to avoid any issues.
How long does it take to set up GA4?
The time required for setup will vary depending on the complexity of your app, website and business needs. Our team will provide a timeline estimate during the initial consultation.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to set up the Google Analytics 4 property is through Google Tag Manager.
Will I lose my previous data when I upgrade to GA4?
No, your historical data from your existing property will still be accessible in Universal Analytics.
However, it is recommended to start collecting new data in GA4 as soon as possible for optimal analysis. The data stream isn’t transferable between Universal Analytics and GA4 to allow you to do a year on year comparison, so the earlier you make the move to the GA4 property, the better.
