Attention to our valued customers, we are here to inform you that Google will begin to sunset Universal Analytics in 2023, replace by Google Analytics 4.
– Read official statement from Google.
What is Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4, as known as GA4, is the latest version of Google Analytics (GA). It is the updated version of Universal Analytics. GA4 is an analytic service that lets you track traffic and engagement across your websites and apps. This documentation is intended for developers and includes implementation instructions and reference resources, useful to know the activities of users on your website and app. For instance, the data on scrolling, file downloads, clicks, and video engagement will be collected automatically. Special events you wish to know such as WhatsApp calls or Emails can also be tracked as a matter of course.
Differences of Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics
Out-of-the-box event tracking
In Universal Analytics, events are user interactions measured independently from a web page or screen load. Downloads, link clicks, form submissions, and video plays are often measured as events. Events in Universal Analytics have a Category, Action, Label and sometimes a Value, and are displayed with these fields in your Analytics reports.
In Google Analytics 4 properties, events are user interactions with a website or app that can be measured concurrently or independently from a webpage/screen load. Examples of events include page views, button clicks, user actions, and system events.
Aligning between app and web
If you are an analyst who manages both website and mobile applications, you will finally have the ability to roll up your data across web and mobile. This is far more powerful than the rollup properties you may have used in the past because the data under the hood for each platform will use the same schema.
– Ken Williams Senior Data Engineer @ Search Discovery
Enhanced measurement of time-based actions
GA4 has improved the utility of “time” metrics. When we think about time in GA right now, we just think about time for pages, sessions, or users. Time is particularly difficult to use in GA to answer queries about how long it takes your consumers to watch a video or finish a survey. GA4’s “elapsed time” function can show you how long it takes your users on average to complete a set of steps. For instance, you could observe how long it takes a person to complete a survey or how long they spend reading your blog before moving on to your product page.
For more information, please read Google Comparing Metrics.
Our service for Our Valued Customers
We are always glad to assist our valued customers to stay updated, for the sake of better performance by having accurate data. In addition, we are concerned about your website performance hence monitoring the data without fail, updating the latest algorithms to achieve an optimized website. As a result, we hope you can complete your move to GA4 to enjoy the latest version with more powerful data analysis. If you have questions on successfully making the switch to Google Analytics 4, always in mind that Zoewebs has got your back! Do contact us or reply to the newsletter if you’re ready to switch to Google Analytics 4.
Getting Started with Google Analytics 4
GA4 is Google’s next-generation measurement solution, and it is replacing Universal Analytics. It is already operating and will totally replace Universal Analytics on July 1, 2023. Hence, new hits will no longer be processed by Universal Analytics properties. We recommend that you complete your migration to GA4 if you are still using Universal Analytics. It is ready to operate any time from now on once you move to it.
Questions You Might Ask
Q1. What if I don’t switch to Google Analytics 4?
You will no longer be able to see your Universal Analytics reports in the Analytics interface or access your Universal Analytics data via the API as the sunset date is on July 1, 2023.
Q2. Will I be charged to update Google Analytics if I’m the regular customer?
We only charge a minimal fee if you already have Google Analytics set up by us. Feel free to approach our sales consultant for more details.
Q3. Will Google help to convert Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4 automatically?
No, you will need to set up Google Analytics 4 by yourself. It is encouraged to set up before the sunset date to gather the historical insights you need to measure your results over time when Universal Analytics stops processing hits.
Q4. How to set up Google Analytics 4 if I’m new to these?
First of all, you might need a Google account for your business. Most importantly, your website is ready to link with Google Analytics for traffic tracking. It will help you to stay competitive by knowing your website traffic, enhancing the user engagement on your website. Feeling troublesome to handle all these? Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
