Google Analytics is a web analytic service offered by Google for free so that users can track and report their website traffic and user behavior.
Installing Google Analytics can be a great way to understand your traffic behavior and improve your online presence.
Here is how to do it.
1. Create a Google Analytics account
To create a Google Analytics account you should visit analytics.google.com. Here you can sign in by using your own Google account or if you don’t have one you can create a Google account first. You can then set up your property by clicking on “admin” in the left-hand, navigation under the account column select ” + create account” and fill in your data according to the settings you prefer. You are then required to enter the name of your property and select the time zone and currency that you are currently using. You can also choose between Google Analytics 4 or Universal Analytics from here.
2. Add a data stream
Under the property setting you will have to click on data stream which will then let you choose the type of data stream based on your platform web for websites or Android app or iOS for mobile applications. After you enter your website url and name you can click on Create Stream.
3. Add the Google Analytics tracking code to your website
To collect data from your website you will have to insert the Google Analytics track code into your website.
-for websites without CMS (manual installation)
After creating a stream you will have to copy the global site tag (gtag.js) from your data stream setting. You will now have to paste the good snip it into the <head> section of your website HTML file, which you will save and your website will be published.
-for websites using the CMS platform
If you are using WordPress you will have to install plugins like Google Site Kit or Monsterinsight. This plugin should be linked to your Google Analytics account which will automatically install the tracking code.
For Shopify users, you can navigate to the online store where you will go to preferences in your store, and paste your tracking ID that is found in your Google Analytics account into the “Google Analytics” field.
If you are a Wix user you can go to the Wix dashboard and open the site editor. Now you navigate to settings where you will go to analytics and report you will find Google Analytics there, paste your tracking ID, and save it there.
4. Verify installation
After you have done adding the Google analytic tracking code to your website you will install the Google Tag Assistant Chrome extension to ensure that the tracking code is correctly being implemented. Now you can check real-time data by opening Google Analytics by going to report, where you press on real-time, then you will be able to see activity in real-time.
5. Customise your analytics
After you have followed the steps above you will set goals to track specific actions like form submissions, purchases, or downloads under the admin goals setting. You can also link Google services to Google Analytics to analyze Google ads, search consoles, or other tools for a comprehensive insight into your website you can also set filters to exclude internal traffic.