How to set up Google Analytics : A Basic tutorial

Tutorial: Basics of Setting Up Google Analytics and Tracking Website Data

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1. What is Google Analytics?

Google Analytics (GA) is a free tool by Google that provides insights into how users interact with your website. It helps businesses measure performance, track marketing ROI, and make data-driven decisions.

Key Benefits:

• See the number of visitors, traffic sources, and user behavior.
• Optimize website performance based on data rather than assumptions.
• Used by top companies worldwide, making it a reliable and widely adopted tool.

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2. Setting Up Google Analytics

Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account

1. Sign in to your Google account and search for Google Analytics Sign-Up.
2. Click the “Start Measuring” button on the official website.
3. Set an Account Name (e.g., “Your Business Name”).
4. In Property Details:
   • Enter your website name.
   • Set the reporting time zone and currency.

Step 2: Configure Tracking for Your Website

1. Under Property Setup, choose Web to track website data.
2. Enter your website’s URL and name the data stream (e.g., “Website Stream”).
3. Google will generate a Measurement ID. Copy this for later use.

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3. Connecting Google Analytics to Your Website

There are two ways to connect GA to your website. We’ll use Google Tag Manager (GTM) for simplicity.

Step 1: Set Up Google Tag Manager (GTM)

1. Search for Google Tag Manager and create an account.
2. Enter the Account Name and your website’s URL.
3. Select Web as the platform to track.
4. GTM will provide two code snippets (header and body).

Step 2: Install GTM Code on Your Website

1. Log in to your website backend (e.g., WordPress).
2. Install a plugin like Header and Footer Code Manager.
3. Paste the header code and body code provided by GTM into the respective fields.
4. Save the changes.

Step 3: Link GTM to Google Analytics

1. Open GTM and create a New Tag.
2. Select Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration.
3. Paste the Measurement ID into the provided field.
4. Set Triggering to “All Pages” to track activity on every page.
5. Save and Publish the tag.

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4. Preventing Inflated Traffic Data

Exclude internal visits (e.g., from your team or yourself) to ensure accurate data.

1. In GA, go to Admin > Data Streams > Configure Tag Settings > Define Internal Traffic.
2. Create a rule with your office or home IP address.
3. Set up a filter in Admin > Data Settings > Data Filters to exclude this internal traffic.

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5. Exploring Google Analytics Features

Dashboard Walkthrough:

• Real-Time Reports: See active users on your website and their actions.
• Acquisition Reports: Understand where your visitors come from (e.g., search, ads, referrals).
• Engagement Reports: Track user behavior (e.g., most popular pages).
• Monetization Reports: Analyze e-commerce performance (e.g., sales data).
• User Reports: Learn about demographics, interests, and the devices users are using.

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6. Using the Google Analytics Demo Account

If you’re new, access the Google Analytics Demo Account for practice.

• It uses data from Google’s Merchandise Store.
• Search for “Google Analytics Demo Account” and follow the instructions to gain access.