Blog GA4 Migration: Why You Should Move to GA4 Now

E-commerce | Mar 20, 2023

GA4 Migration: Why You Should Move to GA4 Now

Artjoms Lanko
E-commerce certified specialist

​​What’s so special about Google Analytics 4 (GA4), making everyone tip-toe while waiting for its release on July 1, 2023?

GA4: The Future of Web Analytics

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the most expected platform to hit the e-analytics world. It's sleeker, smarter, and more diverse than its predecessor, Google Analytics Universal (UA), and it's causing a stir among experts and beginners alike.

Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, understanding the benefits of GA4 will give you a clear understanding of the changes this impressive tool brings to the table.

In this blog post, we'll dive into the exciting features that set GA4 apart from UA and why it's only a matter of time before everyone jumps on board.

Unprecedented insight into website performance & user behavior

GA 4 offers a much more advanced feature set that provides website owners with new, previously uncollected data about how users use the website. With GA4, users have access to a whole new level of data analytics, including comprehensive tracking of user behavior, tracking of different devices and software, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive analytics.

Let’s now take a closer look at what significantly distinguishes GA4 from the old-gen UA, taking analytics to a whole new level:

  • User-centric measurement: GA4 provides businesses with a user-centric measurement approach, which means that it focuses on individual users rather than sessions or pageviews. This approach provides businesses with a better understanding of their customers' behavior and allows to optimize marketing campaigns accordingly.
  • Smarter integrations with Google services: GA4 offers seamless integration with other Google products such as Google Ads and Search Console. This allows for precise measuring of the performance of the ads and optimizing campaigns based on customer behavior.
  • Streamlined data collection: GA4 provides businesses with streamlined data collection, which means that it collects only the data that is most relevant to their business objectives. This approach reduces data clutter and makes it easier for businesses to make data-driven decisions.
  • Predictive metrics: GA4 provides businesses with predictive metrics, which use machine learning to forecast future behavior based on historical data. This feature allows businesses to anticipate customer needs and optimize their marketing strategies accordingly.
  • Improved analysis tools: GA4 provides businesses with improved analysis tools, including a new exploration feature that allows businesses to perform ad-hoc analysis of their data. This feature allows businesses to uncover insights that were previously hidden and make more informed decisions.

Killer Feature – AI

2023 is a year of artificial intelligence (AI), and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is at the forefront of this trend. With AI already streamlining over a thousand digital tasks, it's no wonder GA4 has incorporated this technology into its platform.

One of the standout features of GA4 is its AI-powered predictive analytics, which provide businesses with the ability to forecast future trends and behaviors based on historical data. This allows website owners to make data-driven decisions, from website design to marketing and advertising strategies.

Imagine having a crystal ball to predict future user behavior on your website. Well, with GA4's AI, you can!

Why is Google pushing for everyone to switch to GA4?

Google knows that the more data GA4 collects, the smarter its algorithms become. It's a win-win situation – Google gets to train its AI algorithms in parallel with your tasks, and you get more accurate and useful insights into your website's performance, endlessly evolving the platform for future work.

How to self-migrate to GA4 analytics?

So you've made up your mind to move to the next-gen analytics, but want to handle the migration process yourself? We've put together a step-by-step guide to help you do it right and avoid mistakes along the way.

To start, you'll need to create a new Google Analytics 4 property by logging into your account and selecting the "Admin" tab. From there, select the "Create Property" button and choose the "Google Analytics 4" property type. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete this first step.

The next step is to create data streams for the types of data you want to track, such as website visitors and traffic from different devices.

Once you've found and saved the tracking code, find a unique Google Analytics 4 tracking code for your website, which is different from the Universal Analytics tracking code. Be sure to use the correct code to avoid any confusion.

When you're ready to transfer your data from UA to GA4, go to the "Admin" tab, select "Property" and then "Data Import". Follow the instructions to successfully migrate your data.

Once your data is migrated, set up dashboard reports for the metrics you're interested in. Keep in mind that GA4 has a new interface and data model, so it may take some time to get familiar with it.

To generate new reports and dashboards, go to the "Reports" tab, select "Customize," and choose the dashboard or report you want to create.

The final stage is data analysis, where you can create new forms of data and reports to monitor performance in real time. Simply log into Google Analytics 4 and select the "Reports" option to start exploring the information at your disposal.

Migrating to a new platform is a multi-step journey that can be daunting, especially if you have a lot to lose. However, by following these steps and paying attention to the details, you can ensure a successful migration to GA4 and increase your analytics profits. Remember, every case is different, so be sure to tailor your approach accordingly.

How to avoid GA4 migration headaches?

At Magebit, we know that transitioning from Google Analytics Universal (UA) to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is a challenging and overwhelming task. That's why we offer our expertise to guide you through the process smoothly and efficiently.

Our experienced team will create a new GA4 property, set up conversion tracking, and seamlessly integrate it with other marketing platforms. Trusting the professionals is crucial during this transition, as any mistake could result in the loss of valuable data or inaccurate tracking.

If you're looking to make the switch to GA4, seek our help to ensure a hassle-free transition and get ahead of the competition in the world of web analytics.

Magebit is a full service eCommerce agency specialized in Magento. At Magebit we create the wonders of eCommerce and support small sites as well as large enterprises.

You can contact us at info@magebit.com or through the contact us page.

Artjoms Lanko
E-commerce certified specialist
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