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November 5, 2024

Google Analytics 4: Setup Guide for Beginners

Author: mobilComm Group

Category: analytics

Google Analytics GA4 web analytics measurement

Since July 2023, Universal Analytics stopped collecting data. The only option now is Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The transition isn't just technical - GA4 works on different principles and offers new possibilities.

What's New in GA4:

1. Event-based Model Instead of pageviews and sessions, GA4 tracks 'events'. Every action is an event - page view, click, video view, scroll.

2. Cross-platform Tracking GA4 can track users across web and mobile app in one property.

3. Predictive Metrics Machine learning predicts purchase probability or churn rate.

4. Automatic Events GA4 automatically tracks:

  • Scrolls (25%, 50%, 75%, 90%)
  • Outbound clicks
  • Link clicks
  • Site search

Basic Setup (Step by Step):

Step 1: Create GA4 Property

  1. Sign in to Google Analytics
  2. Admin → Create property
  3. Fill in name and timezone
  4. Choose business category

Step 2: Set Up Data Stream

  1. Select platform (Web, iOS, Android)
  2. Enter website URL
  3. Name the stream
  4. Enable Enhanced measurement (recommended)

Step 3: Install Tracking Code

<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX');
</script>

Place in the <head> section of your website.

Step 4: Verify Functionality

  1. Admin → DebugView
  2. Open website in incognito
  3. You should see events in real-time

Important Metrics in GA4:

  • Users - unique visitors
  • Sessions - visits (30 min inactivity = new session)
  • Engagement rate - % sessions with interaction
  • Average engagement time - average time on site

Our Tips:

  1. Set up conversions (purchases, forms, phone calls)
  2. Create audiences for remarketing
  3. Connect with Google Ads
  4. Regularly check DebugView

Conclusion: GA4 can be complex at first, but offers much more than the previous version. Time investment in proper setup pays off.

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