If you are thinking of monetizing your website, understanding your website traffic is a prerequisite to making informed business decisions—what better way to do that than with Google Analytics.
Not sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Google Analytics for WordPress, from benefits to installing the plugin.
Benefits of Google Analytics for WordPress
Here are a few reasons why you need Google Analytics.
1. To learn who visits your website
With Google Analytics, you can find out your visitors’ location and the type of browser they use. Plus, you learn other valuable information like Flash support and screen resolution, which are elements to consider when designing your website. For instance, if most of your subscribers lack flash support, you can leave that design aspect out.
2. Understand how users interact with your website
Google Analytics lets you see which pages your visitors go to and the bounce rate. By tracking the most well-liked articles, you can learn what content your users enjoy, and thereby take necessary steps to limit the bounce rates.
3. Identify the peak hours
Aside from popular articles, you’ll want to know the peak hours for your website. Once you find out, it would be wise to publish your posts then to increase page views.
4. Know how users discover your website
Ever wondered how new users discover your page? With Google Analytics, you’ll know which sites they came from; usually, it’s by looking your site up, referral, or direct links. What’s more, this tool gives you a breakdown of percentages. For instance, if your visitors used a search engine, Google Analytics lists down the different types, e.g., Bing and Google. Moreover, it shows you which search engine is the most popular.
How To Install Google Analytics in WordPress
Step 1: Set up a Google Analytics Account
Google Analytics is free, and the setting up process is easy.
- Visit the Google Analytics site and click the sign-up button, which will take you to the Gmail sign-in page
- Login in to your Gmail account or create one
- Using your Gmail account, sign up for Google Analytics
- Register your account name and choose the “web” option under the measure tab
- Complete the property setup page, then click “I Agree.”
- Copy the Google Analytics tracking code
Step 2: Install Google Analytics in WordPress
While there are multiple Google Analytics plugins, we recommend using these tools:
- MonsterInsights
- Google Analytics by 10Web
- WP Google Analytics Events
- ExactMetrics
There are three ways to install the Google Analytics plugin to your WordPress site.
1. Adding Google Analytics through MonsterInsights
Why use MonsterInsights? Well, this plugin is an excellent option for beginners. It’s user-friendly and has multiple features, including e-commerce and author tracking.
Here’s how you can install MonsterInsights in WordPress.
- Visit the plugins page and click the “add new” option
- Type MonsterInsights, then click install and activate
- Wait for a new tab to appear titled “insights.”
- Choose the “launch the wizard” option
- Under the category tab, select the most appropriate website category
- Click “save and continue.”
- Click “connect MonsterInsights.”
- Select your Gmail account, then log in
- Click “allow” to let MonsterInsights access your data
- Connect Google Analytics by clicking the “complete connection” button
- The settings page will appear, select the recommended settings and click “save and continue.”
- Next, MonsterInstights WPForms will appear, click install
- Voila! You’ve finished setting up the plugin to your site
Note: It’ll take some time before the data tracking begins. You’ll love this plugin because the Google Analytics reports are accessible through the WordPress dashboard, so no need to leave this site.
2. Installation using Headers and Footers plugin
This method should come as a secondary option for two reasons: the advanced tracking configuration is missing. And, you can’t view the reports directly from the WordPress dashboard. Below are the steps for inserting Google Analytics through the headers and footers plugin.
- Install and activate the headers and footers plugin
- Click settings > headers and footers
- Paste the Google Analytics tracking code which you copied earlier when setting up Google Analytics
- Click “save changes” to finish the installation process
3. Set up Google Analytics in WordPress theme
This method is often the last resort, especially if you are a beginner. It’s technical, and the tracking code will no longer be available if you decide to change your WordPress theme. Two options for installing Google Analytics exist:
Header.php file
- Go to the WordPress dashboard and click the “appearance” button
- Select theme header
- Paste the tracking code on top of the </head> tag
- Click “update file” and finish
Functions.php
- Select the “appearance” option
- Click theme editor and navigate to the functions file
- Paste the tracking code
- Select “update file” and then save
Leveraging Google Analytics To Grow Your Website
Google Analytics is a valuable tool if you wish to collect accurate data regarding your website’s traffic. By using its in-built reports, you get real-time information about your traffic and your conversion rates. As a beginner, Google Analytics is the best way to immerse yourself into the analytics field. Want to discover more? Read “The Complete Guide To Advanced Analytics” to learn how to leverage data further to grow your site and improve conversions.
