In October of 2020, it was made known by Google that there would be a new version of Google Analytics coming out, called Google Analytics 4 or GA4. This means anyone who markets online and uses Google Analytics to improve their online presence, track data, SEO, and more, needs to prepare. Rather than waiting for that version to come along in June 2023, it is important marketers, businesses, organisations and such, start their migration process as the best way to avoid losing anything.
It is likely you or your Google analytics agency Dubai are seeing prompts each time you log into your Google Analytics account. Heading to the admin section is where you will see a set-up assistant for GA4. Anyone experienced with using Analytics will be able to follow the guide and set it up. But there are a few things it does not consider which could mean losing some data so here are some key changes to be aware of and what your migration phases should look like.
Things to understand comparing GA with GA4
If you head to https://www.blog.google/products/marketingplatform/analytics/new_google_analytics/
You can read their announcement and find different resource to help. But some of the basics to know before you start migrating information are that GA4 uses a different way to measure that is based on event, whereas Analytics currently offers page-view measurement. For anyone using Google Tag Manager that will be different. You will need a new GA property where data can be stored and some data doesnt exist on GA4 the way it does on Analytics now. Most of the data is available in GA4 though and the reports and data you are looking at now are safe.
An overview of the GA4 migration phases
The GA4 migration is additional work than some might be prepared for and is certainly more than just changing the old code to the new. Therefore it is recommended that analytic experts and marketers approach the move in phases, since different data is collected differently now. It includes event tracking, inter-platform integration, pageview tracking, eCommerce tracking and more. A phased approach then would look something like the following;
- Create a property in GA4 that tracks standard events and pageviews
- Implement form fills and other KPI related events
- Carry out events for eCommerce
- Undertake other custom tracking such as integrations, custom dimensions and other non-KPI events
- When all data is collected carry out a full implementation audit and make adjustments as needed
When you have implemented everything GA4 is now going to be running along with Google Analytics and ready for your Google analytics agency Dubai to report from as they or you desire. It is a good idea to do this a year before changing over to any reporting such as dashboarding and custom reporting, that way you have a good history of data for GA4 to work with. Since a year is what we have until the change over, it is now the time to talk to your marketing experts about this migration.
