Introduction
On March 8, 2021, the long-awaited Google Analytics 4 (GA4) migration deadline will be here. As of this date, all existing websites and tracking properties must be converted to the new Google Analytics 4 platform. While there are many benefits of using GA4 such as enhanced tracking, better marketing insights, and enhanced eCommerce tracking, the migration process can be daunting for many marketers and non-technologists. In this article, we’ll explain the process of migrating from the Universal Analytics (UA) platform to GA4, and discuss the key reasons why you should make the switch.
Why Make the Switch
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the newest iteration of Google Analytics, and offers many advantages to users over the Universal Analytics (UA) platform. To start, GA4 offers enhanced user-level data, as GA4 is designed with a mobile-first approach. It gives users more insights into their overall digital marketing efforts, such as ad clicks, attribution, and website engagement. In addition, GA4 offers enhanced tracking of user-interactions such as scroll depth, engagement, and CTAs.
GA4 also provides enhanced eCommerce tracking capabilities. This feature allows users to gain better insight into their products and customers, as well as their overall customer experience. Finally, GA4 enables marketers to integrate with other Google products, such as Google Ads and Google Tag Manager, which makes it easier to automate the reporting process.
The Migration Process
The process of migrating to GA4 is fairly straightforward, and can be completed in a few steps. The first step is to create a new GA4 property in your Google Analytics account. This will allow you to track data from your website and other tracking properties. After this, you will need to configure the GA4 property with the correct settings such as user-level data, tracking methods, and eCommerce tracking.
Once your GA4 property has been configured, you’ll need to create a new Google Tag Manager container and connect it to your GA4 property. You’ll also need to add the necessary tags and triggers to your GTM container. Finally, you’ll need to deploy the GA4 tag and triggers to your website or other tracking properties, by using the Google Tag Manager interface.
Conclusion
With the upcoming migration deadline for Google Analytics 4 (GA4) quickly approaching, it’s important to make sure you have your migration plan in place. GA4 offers many advantages over the Universal Analytics (UA) platform, such as enhanced user-level data, more insights into ad clicks, attribution, website engagement and eCommerce tracking, and easier integration with other Google products. The process of migration is straightforward and can be completed in a few steps by creating a new GA4 property, configuring it with the correct settings, creating a new Google Tag Manager container, and deploying the GA4 tag and triggers to your website or other tracking properties.
Migrating to GA4 is crucial to ensure that your website or tracking properties are up-to-date with the newest version of Google Analytics. Don’t wait until the last minute to make the switch; start the process now and take advantage of the features and benefits of GA4!
