Google Analytics offers you the opportunity to track your website visits. This action means you can tweak your website design and alter pages to attract more visitors. Website Builder offers the opportunity to easily modify pages and content to keep your website fresh.
To learn how to access your Website Builder to get started, please visit this article.
By knowing how long visitors stay on a particular page on your website, you can create tailor-made content to turn visitors into customers.
What Is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a service that tracks website visits. The service was launched in 2005, and the current version is Google Analytics 4. The data that Google Analytics presents can let you know the following:
- Bounce rate: Google Analytics (GA4) lets you know exactly when a visitor leaves your website and pages. This option can help you identify problems before they cost you money.
- Desktop or mobile: GA4 can let you know if new visitors have used their desktop computer or mobile device to look at your website.
- Page performance: GA4 can tell you which of your webpages are the most popular. This result means you can identify content that needs improving.
- Time on page: Find out which page you have is the most popular and the amount of time the average visitor spends on it.
- Track conversions: You can use GA4 to see how many visitors become customers. This process is helpful as you can identify what may have stopped a visitor from completing a purchase.
- Visitor location and language: Determine where in the world your visitors are from.
From the above list, you can easily see the benefits of investing your time in GA4.
Installing Google Analytics on Your Website
- Sign up for GA4 with your Google Account. If you don’t have a Google account, you can opt to sign up for Gmail: Create a Gmail Account.
- Once you sign in to GA4, you’ll be asked to provide your Website URL and Account Name. To find your Account Name, you can go to your Google Analytics reports and dashboard—where you’ll see your website name, which is also your Account Name.
- Complete the sign-in process by adding your name and location to Contact Information.
- Check the confirmation box to agree to Google’s terms and conditions.
- Press the Create Account button.
The Add Tracking Step
Following the above steps, you’ll be directed to the Add Tracking step. Please note: You don’t need to copy this snippet. Instead, please:
- Click Save & Finish to be directed back to the Overview of your account.
- From your account Overview, you’ll see the Web Property ID for your website: It’s highlighted in red.
- Copy the Web Property ID to add it to your website.
Please add the Web Property ID to your website by following these steps:
- Log in to your website and access Control Panel > Site Properties.
- Scroll down to Special Features in Site Properties, and click Show Options.
- Choose Google Analytics from the Site Statistics drop-down menu.
- Paste the Web Property ID into its field and click Update.
- You’ll now be able to access and log in to your GA4 account through your Control Panel > Site Statistics.
Now—inside your GA4 account, under the Status column—you will see the verification status of your site. It will appear as Unknown until GA4 has detected the tracking code you placed on your site. Within 24 hours, the tracking code will be detected, and your Status column will display Receiving Data.
How to Use Google Analytics
Your GA4 interface will now display all the visits to your website. You can access a complete statistics report in the dashboard view. This is done by:
- Selecting your website from the View Reports drop-down menu.
To learn more about GA4, you can enrol in a short course directly from Google:
Thank you for taking the time to read this HostPapa Knowledge Base article.
If you need help with your HostPapa account, please open a support ticket from your dashboard.
