Countdown until Google Analytics stops processing data

Universal Analytics will stop processing data in 44 days. The clock is ticking….

Are you ready for the 1st of July? This article explores what you need to do to be ready.

Many of us are used to the traditional Google Analytics and how it works. It’s quite daunting to know that this is changing and we will have to get used to a new way of doing things. Unfortunately, we don’t have a choice. 

Google has announced that Universal Analytics will stop processing all website data on the 1st of July. This means that unless GA4 is set up and implemented on your website, you will stop collecting data. This could mean losing sight of how your website is performing, where traffic is coming from and to which pages (amongst many other deeper settings such as device type and browsers used etc). 

Therefore, it’s important to act now and ensure you continue to receive the insightful metrics that Google Analytics can provide you with. We have set ours up, have you?

GA4: WHAT IS IT?

GA4 uses machine learning algorithms to provide better data accuracy and insights to website owners. It is the latest version of Google Analytics that provides website owners with advanced insights into user behaviour and engagement. GA4 offers more control over data and privacy management as well as a better understanding of user behaviour across multiple devices, including mobile apps and websites.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF GA4?

It is important for a number of reasons. It provides website owners with more comprehensive data about their users. Website owners can track user behaviour across multiple devices, including mobile apps, and gain insights into user behaviour that was previously unavailable.

GA4 is also designed to be more privacy-friendly. With its data controls and management tools, website owners have more control over their data and how it is used. This feature is crucial in this era of increasing privacy concerns.

It also offers a more flexible and customisable tracking system that allows website owners to set up custom events and goals that are aligned with their business objectives.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO NOW?

Here are some steps to follow if you wish to benefit from GA4:

First, you need to setup GA4. You can create a new GA4 property by logging into your Google Analytics account and selecting “Create Property” from the Admin section.

Following the instructions provided by Google Analytics, you can then install the GA4 tracking code on your website or app (after creating the GA4 property).

If you want to measure specific targets, you can then create custom events and goals in GA4. Examples of why you might want to do this is if you have a landing page and want to track conversions from a call to action, or perhaps you have an ecommerce store and want to measure sales from a specific category or sales page. Perhaps you have information you offer as a download and wish to track it’s visitors and conversions. 

You can do this from the Events and Conversions section.

Once GA4 has gathered enough insights, you can then use the reports to make informed decisions about your website’s performance and make tweaks to your strategy according to the results. GA4 comes with several new reports that provide more comprehensive insights into user behaviour. Of course, it doesn’t stop there. To really understand your user’s behaviour and make effective changes, you need to need to continuously test and optimising your website’s user experience.