[FAQ]

Hey everyone,

I’ve just launched my new website and I know one of the first things I need to do is install Google Analytics to track my visitors. I’ll be honest, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the process, especially with everything now being Google Analytics 4 (GA4).

Could someone walk me through a simple, step-by-step guide on how to properly set it up for a beginner? I’m particularly confused about the different ways to add the tracking code to my site – like pasting code directly, using a WordPress plugin, or something called Google Tag Manager. I’m not very technical, so I’m wondering which method is best.

Any guidance would be a huge help,

[Jeff Bullas]

Properly setting up Google Analytics on your website is a crucial step for understanding your audience and performance. The current version is Google Analytics 4 (GA4), and the process involves creating a GA4 property and then adding its unique tracking tag to your site.

First, you need to create a Google Analytics account. You can do this by visiting the Google Analytics website and signing in with your existing Google account. You will be guided to create a new “Account” (which can house multiple properties) and then a new “Property.” This Property is what will represent your website.

Second, during the property setup, you will provide basic information like your website’s name, URL, industry category, and reporting time zone. This will lead to the creation of a “data stream” for your website.

Third, once this data stream is set up, Google will provide you with your unique “Measurement ID” (which looks like G-XXXXXXXXXX) and a tracking code snippet (often called the Google tag or gtag.js). This is the essential piece of code that needs to be placed on your website to start collecting data.

There are a few common ways to add this tracking code to your site. First, if your website is built on a platform like WordPress, the easiest method is often to use a dedicated plugin. Many popular plugins (such as Site Kit by Google, MonsterInsights, or features within your theme) provide a simple settings field where you just need to paste your “Measurement ID” (G-XXXXXXXXXX). The plugin then handles the task of correctly adding the full tracking code to all your pages.

Second, you can choose to add the code manually. This involves copying the entire Google tag snippet that Analytics provides and pasting it into the section of your website’s HTML code. If you are using a theme that has an option to insert code into the header, you can paste it there. This method is straightforward but does require some comfort with editing your site’s theme files or settings.

Third, a more advanced but highly recommended method for long-term flexibility is to use Google Tag Manager (GTM). With this approach, you add the GTM container code to your site one time. After that, you can manage all of your tracking tags, including Google Analytics, from within the Google Tag Manager interface without ever having to edit your website’s code again. This is a very powerful and scalable solution.

After you have added the code using one of these methods, you should verify that it is working. The easiest way is to go to the “Realtime” report in your new GA4 property. Then, in a separate browser tab, visit your own website. You should see your visit register in the Realtime report within a minute or two, which confirms that the installation is active and collecting data.

In summary, the process involves creating a GA4 property to get your tracking code. For beginners, especially on WordPress, using a plugin is often the most direct method. For greater control and future-proofing, using Google Tag Manager is the best practice.

Cheers,

Jeff

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