Salon Owners Step by Step guide: upgrade your Google Analytics to GA4!
Ready to dive into the exciting world of Google Analytics 4 (GA4)?
This shiny new tool promises to take your salon's data analytics game to a whole new level, helping you understand your customers like never before.
But, let's not sugar-coat it - setting up GA4 can feel a little bit like navigating a maze. But don't worry, we've got your back.
Let's break it down together.
Follow this step-by-step guide to get your GA4 up and running. By the end, you'll be a GA4 pro, ready to take on the world of data analytics with confidence!
Step 1: Create a New Property
Sign in to your Google Analytics account.
Navigate to the "Admin" section located in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
In the "Property" column, select the property you want to upgrade, then click on "GA4 Setup Assistant."
Here, you'll see the option to "Get started" under the "I want to create a new Google Analytics 4 property" section. Click on it.
Step 2: Configure Your New Property
A new screen will appear with details about your new GA4 property. Take a moment to review the information.
If you're happy with everything, click "Create Property."
You'll now be redirected to your new GA4 property.
Step 3: Install GA4 Tag
To start gathering data in your new GA4 property, you need to install the GA4 tag on your website.
In your GA4 property, navigate to "Admin" then "Data Streams."
Select "Web" and enter your website URL and name.
Click "Create Stream."
You'll then be given a GA4 Measurement ID and tag. This needs to be installed on your website. If you're using Google Tag Manager, you can set up a new GA4 configuration tag with this ID. If you're not, you might need to work with your website developer to get this installed.
Step 4: Set Up Events (Optional)
Depending on what you want to track, you can also set up events in GA4. These might include button clicks, form submissions, or video plays.
To do this, navigate to "Events" in your GA4 property, then select "Create Event."
Step 5: Verify Data Flow
Once you've set everything up, give it a bit of time, and then check back in your GA4 property to see if data is starting to appear. This confirms your setup is working correctly.
And voila! You've successfully upgraded to GA4. Remember to keep your old Universal Analytics property running alongside your new GA4 property for a while, as GA4 will only start collecting data from the point of setup. This way, you'll still have access to your historical data.
Once you've gotten used to the new setup and are confident that GA4 is collecting all the data you need, you can consider fully transitioning over. But there's no rush - take your time to become familiar with this new tool!
Need help? Book a free discovery call with HEIR Education. We love to help salon owners get to grips with their marketing strategies, systems and beyond!