How to Set Up Google Analytics

It is critical for website owners to have the ability to measure the performance and engagement of their websites. Google Analytics (GA) if a powerful and free way to achieve that very goal. Installing Google Analytics on your website is a fast and easy process. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the configuration process from start to finish. To begin you'll need the following:

Website with Development Access
Email Address (Gmailify)

Gmailify is an email address that is granted the ability to work with Google products and shares many of the benefits that come with a Gmail account. If you receive the error "Couldn't find your Google Account" then you email address is not Gmailify. The easiest way to resolve this is by creating a Gmail account for your site. You can also setup your email through the G-Suite, but that is an article I have yet to write.

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Getting Started

To begin open the Google Analytics page in a new window. Then align the windows so you can follow along.

Upon arrival to the GA page, you may be prompted to login if you are not already. Please log in. What you'll see next depends on if you have access to any Google Analytics accounts:

First Time Managing Google Analytics?

If this is your first time managing a Google Analytics account, you should see the screen below. Simply click the "Sign Up" button to proceed. This will take you to the account creation screen.

Do You Already Have Access to Another GA Account?

If you have access to other accounts, you will be taken to the Google Analytics Home. To create a new account select Admin at the bottom-left of the screen. Google Analytics Admin

In the admin section, you'll see three panes: Account, Property and View. We'll want to click Create Account on the account pane (left).

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Creating an Account

You should now see the account creation screen. Only 3 simple steps are required to create your GA account.

Step 1 - Account Configuration

The first step will be to name the account. Under Account Name you'll want to create an account name. Essentially this should be the name of the business. Don't worry if you have multiple domains or subdomains we will name them in step 3. Next you'll see the Account Data Sharing Settings. It is up to you to participate or not.

When finished click Next.

Step 2 - What Do You Want to Measure?

Select what you'll like to measure. For this guide we are going to select Web.

Click Next to proceed.

Step 3 - Property Configuration

On the final step you'll want to set up your first property. A property is the domain you would like to track. If you have more than one, you can come back later and add them. For now, let's focus on your primary site. Enter the following information:

Website Name: This is where you'll want to name your website. It is perfectly fine to use the name of the business again. This setting is not set in stone, so you can change the name later if you would like.
Website URL: First select either http:// or https://. Then enter the url of your site. Do not repeat http(s). You'll want to make sure you include the correct subdomain here. A subdomain is the prefix of the domain, for example www is a subdomain. Please view the screenshot below if you would like to see my settings.
Industry Category: If you selected to share data with Google, this setting will properly group your site.
Reporting Time Zone: Enter your country and time zone.

That's it, click Create to proceed.

Google Analytics Terms of Service Agreement

Please review and accept the "terms of service agreement" to complete the account configuration process.

GA Tracking Code

If you need to return to the tracking code page:

Go back to Google Analytics
Select Admin at the bottom-left of the screen.
In the Property pane, under Tracking Info, select Tracking Code (see below)

Now we need to place the Google Analytics tracking code to your website. There are a few different ways to achieve this.

Using HTML to Add Tracking Code

First, copy the Global Site Tag. Then go to wherever the <head> tag is located on your site and paste the Global Site Tag just below it. You'll want it to be placed as high in the head as you can.

Use Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Adding Google Analytics to your site with Google Tag Manager is very easy to configuration. Check back soon for a walk-through.

Wordpress Plugin

WP Plugins like Yoast make it very easy to add the tracking code to your website. You'll want to copy the Tracking ID and paste it in the appropriate place in your wordpress plugin. The tracking ID should be something like UA-123456789-1 and it can be found above the Global Site Tag in GA.

All-in-one Website Builders

If you host your site on SquareSpace or a similar All-in-one website builder, you should have a place to add the GA tracking ID. I don't have much experience with these types of websites but you should look for something that says settings or tracking. Now look for a place asking for the Google Analytics Tracking ID, paste that in and it should establish a connection between your site and GA. If you are having trouble contact me and I'll try to help you out.

Confirming Google Analytics Installation

To confirm that GA is installed and collecting data, let's return to the Tracking Info section in the Admin section.

Go back to Google Analytics.
Select Admin at the bottom-left of the screen.
In the Property pane, under Tracking Info, select Tracking Code.
At the top of the screen you should see Status, click Send Test Traffic.
The test should open your site in a new window and the status should change to show an active user.

You could also confirm your install by leaving the admin settings by selecting Realtime Overview on the left navigation. This will bring up your realtime reporting, which allows you to see who is actively on your site. Now open your site in a new window and return to the realtime reporting. Your visit should register in the real time report.

Installation Completed

That's it. Google Analytics is now installed on your website. Please check back for more articles similar to this one. This is the first of many posts on the website and I really hope you found it helpful.

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Troubleshooting Google Analytics Set Up

If you are unable to confirm that GA is collecting data. There are a few things you should try.

Is the Tracking Code on Your Site?

Open developer tools: Right-click on your page and select inspect; You could also access DevTools by pressing ctrl+shift+i or F12.
Press ctrl+F to open search.
Search for your Tracking ID. (this is for the HTML method)

If the search fails to return results, something went wrong when placing the Global Site Tag. Ensure you placed the code on the correct template for the page you are testing.

Did You Use the Correct Code?

Go back to you tracking code in the Google Analytics Admin section.

Go back to Google Analytics
Select Admin at the bottom-left of the screen.
In the Property pane, under Tracking Info, select Tracking Code

Now ensure that the code placed on your websites matches the global site tag code in GA. If the Tracking IDs are not correct the code will fail.

Are You Using the Correct Domain?

You may have entered the domain of your website incorrectly.

Go back to Google Analytics
Select Admin at the bottom-left of the screen.
In the Property pane, select Property Settings

Now ensure that the Default URL is entered correctly.

Are you using an Ad Blocker?

If you are trying to confirm your installation by using realtime reports. Ensure that any ad blockers are turned off. They usually hide any hits to GA.

You Could Have Multiple GA Installs

Open developer tools: Right-click on your page and select inspect; or press ctrl+shift+i or F12.
Press ctrl+F to open search.
Expend all the code within the <Head> to ensure there is only a single instance of Google Analytics.

Interference From Other Scripts

There could be a broken script on your site and it is preventing GA from firing. My advice here would be to create a bare-bones template. Meaning no scripts, styles sheet, anything!. Then add the GA code and confirm that it works. Now this part will not be fun... You'll need to troubleshoot the error that is causing the issues. The best place to start is in DevTools.

Open developer tools: Right-click on your page and select inspect; or press ctrl+shift+i or F12.
At the top click on Console. It is between Elements and Performance.
Find and resolve any issue in red. These items are likely the culprit.