According to Google, “standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing data” starting July 1, 2023. “You’ll be able to see your Universal Analytics reports for a period of time after July 1, 2023. However, new data will only flow into Google Analytics 4 properties.” Here is what else you need to know.
Like UA, GA4 is free to use. Unlike UA, GA4 tracks both website and app analytics. GA4 is fundamentally different in other ways, too. The dashboard has a new look and feel. Engagement counts more than your bounce rate. “Events” have replaced “sessions.” Users are now measured in a new way, both on your website and in your app. Reports offer much more data than was ever possible with UA. These reports and the dashboard can be customized to track and show what matters most to you and your small business.
Here are some details you need to know about Google Analytics 4:
Bounce rate
Bounce rate is calculated differently. If a viewer spends at least 10 seconds on your web page or app, views 2 or more website pages or screens, or completes a call to action, it counts as engagement instead of a bounce.
Dashboard
In the redesign, reports you are familiar with have moved or been removed. New reports, like AI-assisted insights about purchase probability and revenue, have been added.
Engagement
These are new measurements. Engagement time is more accurate because the clock no longer resets at midnight. Engagement sessions can be tracked across platforms, not just on your website. Engagement rate includes all viewers who spend over 10 seconds on your site/app, view at least 2 screens or web pages, or respond to a call to action.
Events
All metrics are events in GA4. UA had applications, e-commerce, events, page views, and social. You choose how you tag events. This, in turn, gives you more information about how your target audience interacts with your online presence.
Page views
This has been expanded to include page views on your website and on your app, not just your website.
Sessions
These time-based page-view measurements from UA have been replaced with GA4’s events.
Users
You will see a change in your user number. GA4 counts active users, instead of users, as defined by Engagement. It also counts users across multiple platforms—websites and apps. This cross-platform tracking lets you observe your target market’s behavior each step of the way. From exploration to lead to engagement to purchase to loyal customer, these metrics show it all. Google Analytics 4 users also get AI predictive insights, which may deduce even more about prospects and buyers. At the same time, GA4 has included more customer privacy in accordance with stricter privacy laws.
Get the insights you need to grow your business. Tate Design is ready to help you make use of this important digital marketing tool. Let us get you set up with GA4, measuring and reporting what is important to your small business. Call us at 610.725.0702 or e-mail [email protected] to put the latest in analytics to work for you.
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