Introduction

Understanding visitor behavior is crucial for a website to be successful. Google Analytics helps you track visitors to your site, understand which pages they visit, and how long they spend on your site. In this article, we will explain in detail what Google Analytics is, why it should be used, and how to set it up step by step.

What is Google Analytics?

Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google. It shows who comes to your website, where they come from, which pages they spend time on, and which devices they connect from.

Google Analytics Features

View the number of visitors
Track which pages are visited more
Learn which countries users come from
Analyze which devices they use
See the time spent on the site and bounce rates

Google Analytics Setup Step by Step

1. Create a Google Analytics Account

Go to the Google Analytics site.
Click the "Create Account" button.
Enter your website name and URL.
Specify in which country you want to keep your data.

2. Create Property and Stream

Select "Web" as the property.
Enter your website name, URL, and time zone.
Create a "Data Stream" and click the "Web" option.

3. Obtaining the Tracking Code

You will receive a tracking ID in the form of "G-examplecode".
A tracking code or Global Site Tag (gtag.js) is provided.

4. Adding the Tracking Code to the Site

Add the following code to the <head> section of your website:

<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>

Replace G-XXXXXXXXXX with your own Google Analytics code.

5. Setup Test

Go back to the Google Analytics panel and look at the "Real-Time" tab.
Make a visit to your website.
If a user appears instantly, the installation is correct.

Using Google Analytics

Examine visitor information from the "Audience" tab.
See where visitors come from in the "Acquisition" tab.
Analyze the most visited pages from the "Behavior" tab.
Track goal completion data from the "Conversions" tab.

What is Google Analytics 4 (GA4)?

It is the new generation version of Google Analytics. It collects much more detailed event-based data. As of 2023, GA4 has started to be used instead of the old Universal Analytics.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Google Analytics free to use? Yes, the basic Analytics service is completely free.

Can I track multiple sites in a single account? Yes, you can create a separate "Property" for each site.

How long does it take for the data to appear? After installation, the first data usually starts to arrive within 5-15 minutes.

Why is my Analytics data empty? The tracking code was probably placed incorrectly or your site has a cache system. Check its accuracy.

How long is Google Analytics data stored? By default, it is stored for up to 14 months, but you can change the duration in the settings.

Conclusion

Google Analytics is an indispensable analysis tool for website administrators. With correct installation and effective use, you can better understand your visitors, increase your site performance, and achieve your goals.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can also install Google Analytics and increase the power of your site.

If you want professional support, you can contact us.