Article 101 From the Complete Do It Yourself SEO Checklist For Small Business
How to Set Up Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful, free tool that helps you track and understand your website’s performance. With it, you can see how visitors find and interact with your site, helping you make smarter business decisions. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to set it up.
Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account
- Go to the Google Analytics website.
- Sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you can create it here.
- Click “Start Measuring” and fill out the form with your account name, property name (your website name), and business details.
- Select your preferred data sharing settings and click “Next.”
Step 2: Set Up Your Property
- Choose whether to measure a website, app, or both (usually, you’ll select website).
- Enter your website’s URL and industry category.
- Select your reporting time zone and currency, then click “Next.”
Step 3: Install the Tracking Code on Your Website
Google Analytics provides a tracking code that connects your website to your Analytics account. Here’s how to add it:
For WordPress Users:
- Use a plugin like MonsterInsights or Site Kit by Google.
- Follow the plugin’s instructions to paste your tracking ID or connect your Google account.
For Other Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc.):
- Look for the Analytics or Tracking section in your site’s settings.
- Paste the tracking ID or full script provided by Google Analytics.
For Custom Websites:
- Copy the tracking code provided by Google.
- Paste it into the <head> section of your website’s HTML. You may need help from your web developer for this step.
Step 4: Verify Your Tracking
- Go back to your Google Analytics dashboard.
- Open the Real-Time report and visit your website. If the tracking code is set up correctly, you’ll see your visit appear.
Step 5: Explore Your Dashboard
Once Google Analytics is installed, you can start exploring:
- Audience Reports: See who’s visiting your site (age, location, device, etc.).
- Acquisition Reports: Find out how visitors are finding your site (search engines, social media, etc.).
- Behavior Reports: Discover which pages are most popular.
Need Help?
Google offers a beginner’s guide to help you get started. You can also explore free courses on Google Analytics Academy to learn more.
By setting up Google Analytics, you’re taking the first step toward making data-driven decisions to grow your business. Regularly check your reports to understand what’s working and where you can improve!
Need Expert Help?
The team at Wisecrowd Design is standing by to help you with all facets of your website performance.
