Setting up Google Analytics 4

Setting up a GA4 property is a straightforward process. Begin by creating a GA4 account and adding a property to your website. Follow these steps :

1. Sign in to your Google Analytics account or create a new one. Navigate to the Admin section and select the appropriate account.
2. Click on “Create Property” and choose “Web” as the property type. Enter your website’s details and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
3. Install the GA4 tracking code on your website or mobile app using Google Tag Manager or by manually inserting the tracking code into your site’s HTML. This code allows GA4 to collect data and track user interactions on your digital properties.

1. Setting Up Data Streams

Setting up data streams is fundamental for collecting website or app data in Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1.1 Accessing Data Streams:

1. Log in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Click on “Admin” in the bottom left corner.
3. Under the “Property” column, select the property where you want to create the data stream.
4. In the same “Property” column, click on “Data streams.”

1.2 Creating a Data Stream:

1. Click on the “+” button and select the platform for your data stream: “Web” for websites or “iOS app” or “Android app” for mobile applications.
2. Enter a name for your data stream that clearly identifies its purpose (e.g., “My Website Traffic”).
3. Depending on the platform you pick, you’ll need to provide additional details like your app’s package name (Android) or bundle ID (iOS).
4. Click on “Create stream” to finalize the setup.

1.3 Implementation:

• Websites: Google recommends using Google Tag Manager for streamlined tag management. You’ll get a unique tag ID to be placed on your website’s code. There are also instructions for manual tag implementation if you prefer that route.
• Mobile Apps: For mobile apps, you’ll download a configuration file and follow instructions to integrate the Google Analytics for Firebase SDK into your app’s code.

1.4 Verification:

After setting up the tag or implementing the SDK, allow some time for data collection to begin. You can use the Realtime report in GA4 to verify that data is flowing in.

2. Configuring Data Settings

There are two main areas where you can configure data settings in Google Analytics:

2.1 Property Settings:

This is where you establish how data is collected and managed for your entire website or app. You can access it by following these steps:

• Sign in to your Google Analytics account.
• Click on the Admin tab in the lower left corner.
• Under the Property column, select the property you want to configure.

Within the Property settings, you can manage aspects like:

• Data Sharing: Control what data Google Analytics shares with other Google products you use.

2.2 Data Stream Settings:

This section defines how data is collected from your specific website or app (referred to as a data stream). Here’s how to access it:

• In the Admin section, under the Property column, click on Data streams.
• Choose the data stream you want to configure (usually your website).

Data Stream settings allow you to:

• Define Internal Traffic: Filter out visits originating from your own office IP address or a specific IP range to avoid skewing your data.
• Configure Google Tag Settings: Access your Google tag (measurement ID) and configure how data is sent to Google Analytics.

Understanding user behavior and tracking website performance is important for businesses to get success online. As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve with new platforms, devices, and technologies, the need for advanced analytics tools becomes increasingly crucial. Google Analytics has long been a trusted companion for businesses seeking insights into their online audience and performance metrics. With the introduction of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google takes a significant leap forward in providing a more robust and comprehensive analytics solution.