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Taryn Champion03/07/23 16:485 min read

Unleash the Power of Your Website: A Journey into Google Analytics 4

Wisenet learning platform

Google recently announced that it is sunsetting Universal Analytics in June 2023. But don't fret, Google Analytics 4 is here to save the day! As a Wisenet learning platform user or even just being in the educational space, it is essential to be aware of this development and take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition towards the newer version. With GA4, you have the ability to go beyond simply monitoring website visitors. You can dive deeper into important customer usage metrics to better understand your audience. Plus, GA4 tracks the entire customer journey across multiple platforms and uses AI and machine learning to provide even more insightful data. But that's not all! Privacy is a major focus of GA4, which is especially important in this day and age. It offers privacy-first tracking, cross-channel data measurement, and AI-driven predictive analytics, so you can stay ahead of the competition while keeping your customers' privacy in mind.

What Is Google Analytics 4?

Google Analytics 4 represents the latest iteration of Google Analytics. This advanced web analytics tool enables marketers to conduct more thorough assessments of crucial customer usage metrics, as opposed to simply monitoring traffic. By tracking the complete customer journey across a variety of platforms, Google Analytics 4 uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to provide enriched insights into users' interactions with your website and app. This powerful tool promises to revolutionise the way businesses approach web analytics.

 

GA4 VS. Universal Analytics

GA4 is packed with unique features that set it apart from its predecessor. However, making the switch to GA4 can be a daunting task if you're not familiar with these differences. To help you, we've identified some key differences between the two versions in this blog article. Take a moment to review them before taking the leap to ensure a smooth transition.

Tracking

Universal Analytics

  • Uses a tracking system that revolves around sessions and pageviews.

  • Gathers and assesses various user engagements with your website during a specified timeframe as sessions or 'hits'.

  • Solely monitors the number of page views across your different online platforms.

GA4

  • Measures data based on events, providing a comprehensive understanding of user engagement on your website and app.

  • Captures activity both on and off the web, independent of your technical capabilities.

  • There are four event types.

Data organisation

Universal Analytics

  • Can only create separate properties for your website and app

  • Each property is recommended to include 3 unique views

GA4

  • A website or an app can be classified as a 'data stream' and can be grouped under a single property. A data stream is essentially a path through which customer data flows from their touch point to GA4.

  • Each GA4 property has the capacity to accommodate up to 50 data streams.

Cookies vs various touchpoints

Universal Analytics

  • Solely relies on cookies for tracking user behaviour

GA4

  • Combines data from various touchpoints, including in-app interactions. This allows you to gain a comprehensive and holistic understanding of your customers' actions online.

  • With the integration of Google signals, you can now tap into invaluable data from users signed in to Google.

Metrics

Universal Analytics

  • Relies on the 'bounce rate’ metric.

  • Bounce rate measures the percentage of single-page sessions where visitors didn't engage with the page at all, resulting in a duration of 0 seconds.

GA4

  • GA4 introduced a new metric called 'engagement rate'.

  • This measures the percentage of 'engaged sessions' on your website, which is a session that extends beyond 10 seconds, involves a conversion event, or comprises at least 2 pageviews or screen views. 

Cross-device tracking
 

GA4

  • Groups different data streams, such as websites or apps, into a single property.

  • This means a range of possibilities for creating insightful reports.

  • You can now view cross-domain traffic and aggregate data, while still being able to break down data per stream. 

 

What does this mean and how can it benefit you?

1. The Power of Data Customisation: One of the standout features of GA4 is its ability to provide a wealth of data that is highly customizable to your specific needs. Gone are the days of relying on predetermined metrics that may or may not align with your business goals. With GA4, you have the freedom to track and measure what truly matters to you. Whether it's specific user actions, conversions, or engagement metrics, GA4 empowers you to tailor your data collection and analysis to your unique requirements.

2. Enhanced User Journey Tracking: Understanding your users' journey on your website or mobile app is crucial for optimizing their experience. GA4 takes user journey tracking to a whole new level. It seamlessly combines web and app data, giving you a holistic view of how users interact with your digital properties. With this comprehensive understanding, you can identify bottlenecks, optimize conversion paths, and improve user retention. 

3. Advanced Machine Learning Capabilities: GA4 harnesses the power of machine learning to provide advanced insights into user behavior and trends. It automatically analyses vast amounts of data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and provide valuable recommendations. This enables you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your marketing strategies with precision.

4. Cross-Platform Measurement: In today's digital landscape, users interact with brands across various platforms, including websites, apps, and even offline touchpoints. GA4 excels in cross-platform measurement, allowing you to seamlessly track user interactions across multiple touchpoints. This holistic approach provides you with a comprehensive understanding of your users' behavior and enables you to deliver personalized experiences across platforms.

5. Deeper Integration with Google Ads: For advertisers relying on Google Ads, GA4 brings an enhanced level of integration and insights. It allows you to easily track and measure the impact of your Google Ads campaigns, providing valuable data on user engagement, conversions, and ROI. This integration empowers you to optimise your advertising spend, identify high-performing campaigns, and make informed decisions to drive better results.

 

Integrate Sales+ with GA4 on your Wisenet learning platform

Wisenet has made integration between GA4 and Sales+ possible allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of your website visitor's engagement with your institution. By integrating your Sales+ with Google Analytics, you can get insights like:

  • Access actionable metrics that can help you understand your data.

  • Get a view of the organic vs returning active users.

  • See page views across different devices.

  • Gain insights into your user journey and lead conversions.

  • Understand the engagement rate of your website and identify your most popular pages.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to take your data analysis to the next level.

 

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Taryn Champion

Hey there, ed-tech enthusiasts! I'm Taryn Champion, your trusty blogger for all things education technology and Wisenet-related. During the day, I'm busy turning ideas and updates into captivating stories, and when the sun sets, I shift gears to savour precious family moments. When I'm not blogging, you'll catch me discovering new restaurants, enjoying craft activities, or getting lost in an inspiring book. Let's dive into this thrilling edtech adventure together. Buckle up and enjoy the journey!

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