Google is retiring its Universal Analytics platform and forcing users to switch to Google Analytics 4 by July 1, 2022. This change will affect all websites that use Google Analytics. Users will need to update their code and settings in order to continue tracking data. Here is what you need to know about this major change.
What is GA4?
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest incarnation of Google’s popular website analytics software. GA4 offers a number of new features and enhancements over Universal Analytics (UA), the previous version of the software. Another difference is that GA4 can track more types of data than UA. This means that you can get a more accurate picture of how your website is performing, and make better decisions about how to improve it. Finally, GA4 is also faster than UA.
Google Analytics 4 Visualizations
Google Analytics 4 introduces a number of powerful new features and enhancements. One of the most significant is the addition of several new data visualizations that make it easier to understand your website traffic and performance. The “Flow” visualization lets you see how visitors move through your site, while “Paths” shows you how they got there. The “Audience” visualization provides insights into who is visiting your site, and “Real-Time” gives you a snapshot of current traffic activity.
These new visuals are in addition to the existing suite of GA4 reports, which have also been enhanced with additional functionality and customization options. The overall goal is to provide users with more actionable data so they can improve their website’s performance.
How to switch to Google Analytics 4 from Universal Analytics
Migrating to Google Analytics (GA) 4 is a process that takes time and careful planning. Although it’s tempting to leave Universal Analytics (UA) behind, a comprehensive migration plan is essential to ensure a smooth transition. Here are four steps to follow when migrating your website to GA4:
1. Review your current tracking code and settings. Make sure you are familiar with all the features of GA4 before making the switch.
2. Create a new property in GA4 and copy over your old tracking code. Be sure to select the correct account and property when creating your new property in GA4.
3. Verify that data is being transferred correctly by comparing reports from both tools. Look for discrepancies and fix them as needed.
4. Adjust any custom settings in GA4 to match your old UA settings.
Interesting Finds from GA4 Migration
In a recent study, it was found that Google Analytics 4 offers better tracking than Universal Analytics. GA4 was able to track more conversions and gave a more accurate view of user behavior on the website. In a case study of a website that had migrated from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4, it was found that the website’s conversion rate increased by 15% only from installing GA4!
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Google is retiring its Universal Analytics platform and forcing users to switch to Google Analytics 4 by July 1, 2022. This change will affect all websites that use Google Analytics. Users will need to take immediate steps to ensure a smooth transition. If you need to switch to Google Analytics 4, contact the best Digital Marketing Company in Jacksonville; Webramp Digital. We can ensure a smooth transition without a huge loss of data.
