Google Analytics is an essential tool for understanding how your website is performing. If you’re not using it, you’re missing out on valuable data that could be used to improve your site and grow your business.
You have probably heard of GA4 by now – the latest version of Google Analytics. But what exactly is GA4, and when should you switch to using it?
Google Analytics 4 is a new version of Google Analytics that was released in October 2020. Up to now, there have been two different Analytics platforms: Google Analytics and Google Analytics for Firebase. Firebase is a platform from Google for Apps, while standard Analytics deals with data from the Web.
But having two different platforms makes it harder for companies to compare their data and analyze their metrics. So, Google developed a solution – one platform: Google Analytics 4.
One of the biggest benefits of GA4 is that it gives you more control over your data. With GA4, you can choose what data is shared with Google, and you can also export your data for use in other tools. And it collects data from your websites and apps all in one convenient place.
Google Analytics 4 also includes a number of features, such as:
- User ID tracking: This allows you to see how users interact with your website across multiple devices.
- Conversion tracking: This allows you to track conversions (sales or leads) from your website.
- Enhanced eCommerce: This allows you to track customer behavior on your website, including product views, add-to-cart, and check-out events.
- Remarketing: This allows you to create remarketing lists based on user behavior on your website.
- Custom dimensions and metrics: This allows you to create custom reports based on the data that you collect in GA4.
When Should I Switch to Google Analytics 4?
So, when should you switch to using GA4? If you are just starting out with Google Analytics, then you should use GA4. If you are already using the original version of GA, then you can continue to use it, but we recommend switching to GA4 at some point in the future.
Google announced its plans to sunset Universal Analytics, the former version, on July 1, 2023, so it is important to start planning your switch to GA4 as soon as possible.
Since Google allows your business to use both GA4 and UA together, you can get started with Google Analytics 4 right away. You can still continue to use Universal Analytics at the same time but keep in mind UA will be a thing of the past in 2023.
How GA4 Can Help Your Business Grow
At Purple Pig, we can help you migrate to GA4 and take advantage of all the new features it has to offer. We are a digital marketing agency in Geneva, IL that specializes in helping businesses grow online.
Google Analytics is one of the many tools that we use to help our clients succeed.
The analytics we collect from GA4 can help grow your business by:
- Identifying which marketing channels are driving the most traffic and conversions
- Understanding how users are interacting with your website
- Finding ways to improve the user experience on your website
- Creating more targeted marketing campaigns
If you’re ready to make the switch to GA4 or if you have any questions, contact us today. We would be happy to help you get started with GA4 and take your business to the next level.
