In this article, my goal is to assist you in obtaining the Google Analytics tracking code for the year 2021. As someone experienced in web development and digital marketing, I have recognized the value of Google Analytics as a tool for monitoring website performance and understanding user behavior.
Before we dive into the details, let me provide a brief overview of what Google Analytics is and why it is important. Google Analytics is a free web analytics service offered by Google. It allows website owners to track and analyze various metrics such as website traffic, user engagement, conversion rates, and much more. With these insights, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your website’s performance and achieve your business goals.
Step 1: Sign Up and Set Up Google Analytics
The first step to obtaining the Google Analytics tracking code is to sign up for a Google Analytics account. If you already have a Google account, you can simply go to the Google Analytics website (https://analytics.google.com) and sign in using your existing credentials. If you don’t have a Google account, you will need to create one before proceeding.
Once you are signed in to your Google Analytics account, click on the “Start measuring” button to create a new property. A property represents your website or app, and you can have multiple properties under one Google Analytics account.
Fill in the required information such as the property name, website URL, industry category, and reporting time zone. After completing these details, click on the “Create” button to proceed.
Step 2: Obtain the Tracking Code
After setting up your property, you will be directed to the property’s admin page. Look for the “Tracking Info” section in the left-hand menu and click on “Tracking Code.” Here, you will find the tracking code snippet that you need to add to your website.
The tracking code is a small piece of JavaScript that needs to be placed on every page of your website. It works by collecting data about the visitors to your website and sending that data to your Google Analytics account. To obtain the tracking code, simply click on the “Global Site Tag” or “Legacy Tracking Code” tab, depending on the type of code you prefer to use.
Copy the tracking code snippet provided on the page. It typically begins with “<script>” and ends with “</script>“. Make sure to copy the entire code snippet without any modifications.
Step 3: Add the Tracking Code to Your Website
Now that you have obtained the tracking code, it’s time to add it to your website. The method you use to add the tracking code depends on the platform or CMS (Content Management System) you are using for your website. Here are the general steps for some popular platforms:
- WordPress: If you are using WordPress, you can easily add the tracking code by installing a plugin like “Google Analytics for WordPress.” Simply install and activate the plugin, then enter your Google Analytics tracking ID in the plugin settings.
- HTML/CSS: If you have a custom-built website using HTML and CSS, you will need to manually add the tracking code to the
<head>section of each page. Paste the tracking code snippet just before the closing</head>tag. - Other CMS: For other Content Management Systems like Joomla, Drupal, or Shopify, you can typically find an option to add the Google Analytics tracking code in the CMS settings or theme editor. Refer to the documentation or support resources for your specific CMS for detailed instructions.
Once you have added the tracking code to your website, save the changes and make sure to publish or update your website for the changes to take effect.
Conclusion
Obtaining the Google Analytics tracking code is an essential step in leveraging the power of website analytics. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now have the tracking code ready to be implemented on your website. Remember to regularly check your Google Analytics dashboard to gain valuable insights into your website’s performance and make informed decisions to improve your online presence.