Free Step-by-Step Guide to Google Analytics 4 Migration

Now that Universal Analytics (UA) has an official sunset date, it’s time for you to migrate from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This should give you ample time to have data on your GA4 property, familiarize yourself with the new UI, and create comparisons with your existing UA data. We have created a step-by-step GA4 migration guide to show you where to start the migration.

How to Do a Google Analytics 4 Migration

Create a GA Account

Start with creating a GA account, but you may skip this step and head to Step 2 if you have an existing GA Account.

1. Click Admin in the Account column, and click Create Account.

2. Enter your preferred account name.

3. Click Next to add the first property to the account.

Create a GA4 Property

1. From the Admin, navigate to the Property column, and click Create Property.

‍

2. Enter a name for the property and select the reporting time zone and currency.

3. Click Next. Select your industry category and business size.

‍

4. Click Create and accept the Analytics Terms of Service and the Data Processing Amendment.

Add Data Stream

Data Streams are the flow of data from your users to Analytics. To set this up, follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to the Property column, click Data Streams > Add stream

2. Click the iOS app, Android app, or Web.

3. Provide your details

4. Click Create Stream

‍

Set Up Data Collection (The Recommended Setup Is via GTM.)

If you already have an existing GTM container installed on your website, u

‍

If you don’t have an existing GTM Container, you may use this blog for guidance.

1. Once logged in, Click Tags > New.

2. Click the pencil icon for Tag Configuration.

3. Select Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration.

4. Enter your "G-" ID. Your “G-” ID can be found under Google Analytics Admin > Data Stream.

5. Click Triggering and choose the appropriate events that would cause the tag to fire, in this case, the Page View trigger.

6. Save the tag configuration and click Submit.

7. Preview the changes to test if you have successfully created the tag.

8. Once the tag fires when the trigger is initiated, then it means that the setup was correct.

9. You may then publish these changes to your workspace so GA4 can start collecting data.

Map UA Events to GA4

Google has provided a step-by-step procedure for mapping UA events to GA4 here.

Migrate UA Custom Dimensions and Metrics

You can migrating your Custom Dimensions and Metrics by manually creating them in GA4.

Testing

After you’ve tested the tracking setup, you’re done with the migration and can start viewing reports. Remember that data does not apply retroactively, so events must be triggered before GA4 can collect data.

Happy analyzing!

‍