It is crucial to set up Google Analytics in order to extract important data about your website’s performance. As someone who manages a website, I consider Google Analytics to be an invaluable resource for comprehending user actions and improving my site. This article will walk you through the steps of setting up Google Analytics in 2021, sharing my personal suggestions and observations.
Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account
The first step is to create a Google Analytics account. If you already have a Google account, you can use it to sign in to Google Analytics. If not, you can easily create a new account. Once you’re signed in, click on the “Sign up” button to create a new property.
Step 2: Set Up Website Tracking
After creating a new property, you’ll need to specify the details of your website. Enter the website name, URL, industry category, and time zone. It’s important to provide accurate information to ensure the data you collect is meaningful and relevant to your website.
Step 3: Install the Tracking Code
Once you’ve completed the initial setup, Google Analytics will provide you with a tracking code snippet. This snippet needs to be placed on every page of your website to track visitor activity. Depending on your website platform, there are different ways to install the tracking code.
If you’re using a content management system like WordPress, you can easily add the tracking code by installing a Google Analytics plugin. Simply search for “Google Analytics” in the plugin directory, install a reputable plugin, and follow the setup instructions. Alternatively, you can manually add the tracking code to your theme’s header or footer file.
If you have a static HTML website, you can add the tracking code by copying and pasting the code snippet just before the closing </head> tag on each page.
Step 4: Verify Tracking
After installing the tracking code, it’s important to verify if Google Analytics is tracking your website correctly. One way to do this is by using the Real-Time reports in Google Analytics. Open your website in a separate browser tab and navigate through different pages. Then, go back to the Real-Time reports in Google Analytics and check if your activity is being tracked.
Another way to verify tracking is by checking the “Audience” reports in Google Analytics. After a few hours, you should start seeing data in these reports. If you see data being recorded, it means that you’ve successfully set up Google Analytics on your website.
Conclusion
Setting up Google Analytics is an important step towards understanding your website’s performance and making data-driven decisions. By following these steps, you can easily set up Google Analytics on your website and start tracking valuable metrics. Remember to regularly check your Google Analytics reports and analyze the data to gain insights and improve your website’s performance. Happy analyzing!