In today’s digital world, we need to explore the insights from gathered data to make informed decisions.
In the field of marketing and advertising platforms, Google products such as Google Ads, Search Console, and Data Studio, etc., are playing a vital role and Google analytics is integrated into these products to get insights into your website or app performance. Thus, the Google Analytics tool became a popular choice for the users of Google tools.
If users want to handle lots of data, Google Analytics is helpful for them if they have time, and the ability to analyse and act on it. However, GA takes time to set up, learn, implement, maintain, and use but it is worth it when the users learn it once.
The previous version of Google Analytics was Universal Analytics which was updated to GA4 after October 2020. In the GA4 version, the UI and
the reports, tools, and features have been upgraded.
To open a Google Analytics account, follow these steps:
1. Create a Google Account: If you don't have a Google Account,make one by visiting the Google Account creation page: Create a Google Account.
2. Sign in to Google Analytics: Log in to Google Analytics at GoogleAnalytics (https://analytics.google.com).
3. Initiate Account Setup: Click on "Start for free" on the GoogleAnalytics homepage.
4. Complete the Account Setup form:
Specify an Account Name.
Choose what to measure: "Web" for websites or "Apps" for mobile apps.
Provide Property details like name, URL, Industry, and Reporting Time Zone.
Set Data Sharing Preferences.
5. Proceed to "Next" and Agree to Terms of Service: Click "Next," review, and accept the Terms of Service by selecting "I Accept."
6. Install the tracking code: Follow instructions to obtain and install the tracking code on your website or app.
7. Commence Data Collection: After installing the tracking code, Google Analytics will start collecting data. Allow some time for data to appear in your account.
8. Explore the Google Analytics Interface: Once data is collected,navigate the Google Analytics interface to analyze your website or app's performance.
Ensure you have the necessary permissions for accessing and setting up Google Analytics. If you're working on a site owned by someone else, obtain appropriate access rights or collaborate with the site owner to secure the required permissions.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) uses a different organizational structure compared to the Universal Analytics hierarchy. In GA4, the primary components include the Account, Property, and Data Streams. Below is an overview of the GA4 hierarchy:
Google Analytics 4 Hierarchy:
Account:
The top-level container for your Google Analytics properties.
It represents the overall organization or business entity.
Each Account can contain multiple Properties.
Property:
Represents a website, app, or digital asset that you want to track.
Each Property can have multiple Data Streams.
Data Stream:
Represents a data source within a Property, such as a website or a mobile app.
Each Data Stream has its own unique measurement configuration and tracking settings.
2. Event-based Tracking:
GA4 focuses on event-based tracking, where events are user interactions with content, such as page views, clicks, and other interactions.
Events are central to tracking user engagement and behaviour on your digital properties.
3. User-Centric Reporting:
GA4 introduces a user-centric approach, emphasizing the analysis of user journeys and engagement across devices and platforms.
Events, user properties, and user identifiers play a crucial role in understanding user behavior.
4. AI and Machine Learning:
GA4 integrates advanced analytics features powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Automated insights, predictive metrics, and audience creation are enhanced through machine learning algorithms.
"Is Google Analytics Free? There's a free and a paid version of GA (the latter is called Analytics 360). Small and medium-sized businesses will likely get all the features you need from the free version. Analytics 360 begins at $150,000 per year (invoiced monthly) and increases after your site receives more than one billion monthly hits. Before we move forward, you should know that there are currently two versions of Google Analytics: Universal Analytics and GA4.
The previous version of Google Analytics was Universal Analytics which was updated to GA4 after October 2020. In the GA4 version, the UI and the reports, tools, and features have been upgraded.
