From Universal Analytics to GA4: A complete migration guide
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google's popular analytics platform. It offers a number of new features and capabilities that make it a more powerful tool for measuring and understanding user behavior.
If you're currently using Universal Analytics, you'll need to migrate to GA4 at some point. This is because Google will eventually stop supporting Universal Analytics.
In its official press release, dated May 10, 2023, it stated, “On July 1, 2023, standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing data. We strongly encourage you to make the switch to Google Analytics 4 as soon as possible.”
SS sourced from support.google.com
The good news is that migrating to GA4 is relatively straightforward. This article will walk you through the process step-by-step.
We'll cover everything you need to know, from creating a new GA4 property to migrating your data. By the end of this article, you'll be well on your way to making the switch to GA4.
Why you should migrate to GA4?
There are a number of reasons why you should migrate to GA4. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- GA4 is more privacy-focused
GA4 uses a new data model that is designed to be more privacy-friendly. This means that you can collect and use data without having to worry about violating user privacy.
- GA4 is more flexible
GA4 offers a number of new features and capabilities that make it more flexible than Universal Analytics. For example, GA4 can track user behavior across multiple devices and platforms.
- GA4 is more predictive
GA4 uses machine learning to provide you with more predictive insights. This can help you to make better decisions about your marketing campaigns.
Benefits of GA4
If you're serious about measuring and understanding user behavior, then you should migrate to GA4. It's the future of Google Analytics, and it offers a number of benefits that can help you to improve your marketing campaigns. Here are some additional benefits of GA4:
- Cross-platform tracking: GA4 can track users across multiple devices and platforms, giving you a complete view of their behavior.
- Enhanced predictive analytics: GA4 uses machine learning to provide you with more accurate and actionable insights into user behavior.
- Improved integration with other Google products: GA4 is more tightly integrated with other Google products, making it easier to use your data to improve your marketing campaigns.
GA4 is the future of Google Analytics, and it offers a number of benefits that can help you to improve your marketing campaigns.
The steps involved in migrating to GA4
When you’re ready, you can always follow some simple steps to migrate to GA4:
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Create a new GA4 property
To create a new GA4 property, you'll need to go to the Google Analytics website and sign in to your account. Once you're signed in, click on the "Admin" tab and then select "Create Property". In the "Property Type" dropdown menu, select "Google Analytics 4".
Set up your GA4 tracking code
Once you've created your GA4 property, you'll need to set up your tracking code. You can do this by following the instructions below:
- Go to the Google Analytics website and sign in to your account.
- Click on the "Admin" tab and then select the property that you want to set up GA4 for.
- In the "Tracking info" section, click on the "Tracking code" tab.
- Under "Global site tag (gtag.js)", copy the tracking code.
- Paste the tracking code into the <head> section of your website's HTML code.
- Save your changes and test your tracking code to make sure that it's working correctly.
Note: If you're using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, there are plugins that can help you to set up your GA4 tracking code.
Migrate your data
Once you've set up your GA4 tracking code, you can start migrating your data. You can do this by using the Google Analytics Data Transfer Tool.
- Go to the Setup Assistant Page and click on the GA4 Setup Assistant on the left of the screen.
- Find the “Set up Conversions” button and click on the “Actions” menu on the right of the row.
- Click on the Import from Universal Analytics button.
- Select the goals/data that you would like to recreate in your GA4 property.
- Once you have selected the same, click on the “Import Selected Conversions” button from the top right of the page.
Wait for a confirmation message to pop up on the bottom left of your screen. When you see the same, the Goals are recreated successfully.
Start using GA4
Once you've migrated your data, you can start using GA4. You can explore your data in the GA4 interface and create reports as and when you like.
Common challenges and how to overcome them
There are always some challenges involved when making a move to an all-new platform. From adoption to implementation, you may come across numerous roadblocks that need addressing. Here are some common challenges you might face while making a move toward GA4:
Data loss
When you migrate to GA4, you will lose some of your historical data. This is because GA4 uses a new data model that is not compatible with the data model used by Universal Analytics. To minimize data loss, you can export your data from Universal Analytics before you migrate to GA4.
Reporting limitations
GA4 has some reporting limitations compared to Universal Analytics. For example, GA4 does not currently support custom dimensions and metrics. To overcome these limitations, you can use third-party tools or build your own custom reports.
Learning curve
GA4 is a new platform, and there is a learning curve associated with using it. To overcome this challenge, you can take advantage of the Google Analytics documentation and training resources.
Integration challenges
GA4 is not yet fully integrated with all of the other Google products. This can make it difficult to use GA4 data in conjunction with data from other Google products. To overcome this challenge, you can use third-party tools or wait for Google to complete the integration of GA4 with other Google products.