Google Analytics is changing to GA4: here’s migration tips & why this matters

For most, Google Analytics is the platform that collects the data about your website; how many visitors you get, where they're coming from and for some, ad data. It’s the reporting tool that delivers the information about your website to you.

Many have now seen the big doomsday clock within their Google Analytics account counting down the days until this switch happens, which means Google means business. Accounts will be switching from using Google Analytics (also known as Universal Analytics) to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), and it’s happening soon.

Why the change to Google Analytics 4 matters to you

If you need to or want to use Google’s analytics services, GA4 will be the only option come July 1st.

If you want to know any of the below, you’ll need to upgrade your account to GA4:: 

• how many people are viewing your website
• which pages are the most popular
• which pages get no traffic
• where to improve your SEO tactics
• what locations visitors are searching from
• what words people are using to find your website
• how many goals are being met, such as form completions or purchases
• ad data
• and more

What happens if you don’t set up GA4?

If you don’t get the new Google Analytics platform set up, your data will cease to be tracked. Basically, the clock stops and nothing else gets recorded - you have a history but no future. This means you’ll be missing out on valuable information about your website and your users, and a chunk of time that you’ll never get back in terms of data tracking. 

When do you need to switch to GA4?

You need to switch to Google Analytics 4 as soon as possible. This should be done right away, as it’s urgent and high priority. Most have put it off until the last minute and it’s now the last minute. Our team can help you do this correctly, so reach out>>

Key change-over dates: 

July 1, 2023 - Universal Analytics shuts down

Universal Analytics (your current analytics) will retire on July 1, 2023, which means it’s not going to track your data any longer. You’ll still be able to access historical data, but it won’t be recording any future data. 

July 4, 2023 - the switch must be made to GA4 by this date.

This is the last date you can switch, however, this doesn’t mean you can leave it this long. Changing to GA4 needs to happen now so there will still be time to take care of any technical hiccups that may or can occur. 

GA4 is a good thing: here’s why

Google wouldn’t be getting every user of its platform to make this update unless there was a good reason. Google Analytics 4 has a number of benefits that include:

• a stronger analytics experience
• more flexibility to measure different things
• the addition of AI to help with insights into user behaviour and conversions
• built-in machine-learning algorithms
• improved insights and predictions

How do you switch to GA4?

The easiest and simplest option for you to upgrade your account to GA4 is for us to do it for you, especially if you don’t like dealing with these technical things that suck up your time and bog you down.

If you would like or need our help, please get in touch with us today. 

As we have many clients who need to make this switch, it’s best we get you upgraded before the queue gets longer, as it’s first come first serve. We want this to be done well before the final deadline. No matter when you decide to action this, we will help you get this sorted correctly. 

The other option is to do it yourself. For this, you’ll need editorial access to your Universal Google Analytics account. Once logged in, you’ll see the big countdown timer and can follow the prompts to the setup guide. Just remember to do this now, don’t put it off. 

As always, if you have any concerns with setting up your new Google Analytics 4 account, please get in touch and we can help you further.