The High 16 Deadly Errors Companies (And Companies) Are Failing To Do With Google Analytics 4

We have been just lately chatting with a automobile dealership that felt they have been paying a rare month-to-month engagement for his or her advertising company however weren’t assured that they have been getting worth within the relationship. As we regularly do with a strong lead, we requested if we might entry their Google Analytics account, they usually added us to the account.

We logged into Google Analytics and have been shocked… Google Analytics 4 was by no means arrange. Because of this, the dealership had no knowledge monitoring on their website since July 1, 2023, when Common Analytics stopped gathering knowledge. That is really unconscionable for a advertising company that’s charging any important month-to-month engagement. On this case, the company was dealing with a number of channels for the consumer, together with Google Adverts. With out analytics correctly configured, they’re simply throwing cash down the bathroom. My recommendation was to fireside their company instantly.

Google Analytics 4

We’ve been sounding the alarms on GA4 for fairly a while and proceed to take action. Whereas not even having your GA4 account up and operating is surprising, you must configure some extra setup. In contrast to UA, with out configuring GA4, you’ll have some severe downstream points while you look to research your small business’ efficiency on-line.

Listed here are the highest errors that firms are making with the Google Analytics 4 launch:

1. You haven’t configured the info stream accurately. The information stream is how GA4 collects knowledge out of your web site or app. If you don’t configure the info stream accurately, it’s possible you’ll not acquire all the knowledge that you simply want.
2. You haven’t migrated occasions to GA4. It is a essential mistake, as you’ll lose event-driven insights. It’s important to migrate your occasions to GA4 as quickly as doable as a way to begin gathering knowledge on the brand new platform.
3. You haven’t up to date the info retention to 13 months. By default, GA4 solely retains knowledge for 2 months. This isn’t sufficient time to gather significant insights, so updating the info retention to 13 months is crucial.
4. You haven’t eliminated pointless UA code. After you have migrated your occasions to GA4, take away the previous UA code out of your web site or the tags from Google Tag Supervisor.
5. You haven’t arrange targets in GA4. Objectives are important for measuring the success of your advertising campaigns. If you don’t arrange targets in GA4, you can’t observe your progress and optimize your campaigns.
6. You haven’t arrange customized dimensions and metrics: Customized dimensions and metrics will let you observe knowledge particular to your small business. This may also help get insights you wouldn’t be capable to get with the default dimensions and metrics.
7. You aren’t enabled enhanced measurement: This setting allows Google to gather extra knowledge about your customers, equivalent to their gadget sort, working system, and site. This knowledge can be utilized to create extra correct stories and insights.
8. You haven’t enabled gathering demographics and pursuits: This setting permits Google to gather knowledge about your customers’ demographics and pursuits. This knowledge can be utilized to create extra focused advertisements and advertising campaigns.
9. You haven’t built-in Google Adverts: This integration lets you see how your Google Adverts campaigns are performing. You’ll be able to see which campaigns are driving visitors to your web site or app, and the way a lot income these campaigns are producing.
10. You haven’t built-in Google Search Console: This integration helps you to see how your web site performs in Google search outcomes. You’ll be able to see which key phrases are driving visitors to your web site and the way your web site is rating for these key phrases.
11. You haven’t built-in Google Firebase: This integration lets you observe knowledge out of your cell apps. This knowledge can be utilized to grasp how your customers are interacting along with your apps, and to enhance the consumer expertise.
12. You haven’t built-in Google Advertising Platform: This integration lets you join GA4 with different Google advertising merchandise. This may also help you to create a extra holistic view of your advertising knowledge.
13. You haven’t built-in Adobe Analytics: This integration lets you join GA4 with Adobe Analytics. This may also help you to consolidate your advertising knowledge from completely different sources.
14. You haven’t built-in Social Media Advert Networks: Integrations with X (previously Twitter), Fb, and LinkedIn will let you join GA4 with Fb. This may also help you perceive how your social media advertisements are performing and to enhance your concentrating on.
15. You haven’t created stories and dashboards: Studies and dashboards will let you visualize your knowledge and establish tendencies. Be sure to create stories and dashboards which might be related to your small business targets.
16. You haven’t used the evaluation hub: The evaluation hub is a strong instrument that lets you discover your knowledge and establish patterns. Use the evaluation hub to get probably the most out of your knowledge.

Please contact Highbridge in case you want help. We will audit your implementation, assist your organization implement GA4 accurately, again up and report towards historic Common Analytics knowledge, and incorporate some nice reporting instruments to completely leverage the platform.