Why we need to switch to GA4
Since the old version of Google Analytics, often called UA, relied heavily on the use of cookies to collect information about activity on websites, Google has chosen to move away from this version. Google Analytics 4, with new measurement parameters and a different approach to data collection, is designed to operate in a future without cookies.
Is it difficult to migrate to GA4 from GA Universal?
To continue analyzing your website data with a Google tool, you should start using GA4. The method for setting up GA4 is quite similar to the previous version of Google Analytics. You can either implement GA4 directly in the code or use a tag manager to configure it. The most important thing is to ensure that your website is compatible with GA4 to avoid issues with data collection. It is also important to note that GA4 no longer uses “views”, but instead “data streams”. A data stream separates traffic from your website from the data generated by your app.
The key differences between GA4 and Universal Analytics
There are several changes in Google Analytics 4, both in how data is collected and how it is presented. This also affects how we can use the analytics tool. One of the main differences between GA4 and the earlier versions, such as Google Analytics Universal, is that GA4 collects and stores less personal data than UA. Cookies are still used where they can be retrieved, but GA4 also collects “first party data” and data from “Google signals”. This is to adapt to a future where the use of cookies is restricted.
When it comes to data collection and tracking capabilities, GA4 includes several built-in parameters that can be tracked without having to configure them in Tag Manager. In UA, you had to set up custom event codes to track different actions, but in GA4, event tracking is an integral part of the system. This makes it easier to track clicks, views, and other events directly in GA4 without relying on additional configurations in Tag Manager.
Event-based analysis of your website
The focus on events is the second major difference between GA4 and Google Analytics Universal. GA4 is event-based, which means that every action on your website or in your app is counted as a separate event. This makes it possible to combine data from different sources and provides a more holistic insight into user behavior.
Do you want to know where the traffic to your website comes from? Which channels are the most profitable? Whether your customers use mobile or desktop, or how the checkout process in your online store is being used? You probably see where this is going: GA4 provides answers to most of what you want to know about your website. But keep in mind that GA4 in some cases uses different definitions for familiar metrics, so if you notice small discrepancies between, for example, traffic in GA4 and UA, that may be the reason.
Do you need help with the migration to GA4?
If you still haven’t set up Google Analytics 4 for your website, it’s a good idea to do so as soon as possible. At Solid Media, we have extensive experience setting up GA4 for our clients, and we have also worked on building clear, actionable reports in the analytics tool. Do you want help with the setup, or do you have any questions related to GA4?
