Integrating GA4 with GTM: A Step-By-Step Guide
Harnessing the power of Google Tag Manager (GTM) alongside Google Analytics 4 (GA4) can significantly streamline your analytics and tracking processes. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps to seamlessly integrate GA4 with GTM. Plus, keep an eye out for our subsequent article detailing the intricacies of setting up conversion tracking for an even richer understanding of user behaviour.
1. Access Google Tag Manager
Start by heading to Google Tag Manager and signing in with your Google account. If you don’t already have an account, simply click on “Start for free”.
2. Create a New Container
- After signing in, click on “Create Account”.
- Name your account, usually your company or website name.
- Next, set up your container. This can also be named after your website.
- Choose “Web” as the target platform and click “Create”.
3. Navigate to Your New Container
Once you’re inside your container, you’re ready to start integrating GA4.
4. Add a New GA4 Configuration Tag
- Click on “New Tag”.
- Name your tag (for clarity, consider naming it “GA4 Configuration”).
- Click on “Tag Configuration” and choose “GA4 Configuration” from the list.
- Enter your GA4 Measurement ID (which starts with ‘G-XXXXXXX’).
5. Triggering Your GA4 Tag
For your GA4 tag to work, it needs a trigger:
- Under “Triggering”, click on the pencil icon.
- Choose “All Pages” to ensure GA4 tracks all visits across your website.
6. Save and Submit
- Click “Save” for your tag.
- Once you’re ready to make the GTM changes live, click “Submit” at the top right.
7. Install Google Tag Manager on Your Website
To link GTM to your site:
- In your GTM dashboard, click on your container ID at the top right (formatted as “GTM-XXXX”).
- In the pop-up, you’ll see two code snippets.
- Copy the first code and paste it as close to the opening
<head>tag of every page on your site. - Copy the second code and paste it immediately after the opening
<body>tag.
🔔 Note: If your website platform provides a dedicated area for scripts, place them there.
8. Verify the Integration
After setting everything up:
- Visit your website.
- Go back to your GA4 dashboard and click on “Realtime”.
- If you see an active user, your integration is working correctly!
9. Gearing Up for Conversion Tracking
With GA4 integrated, you can now harness the power of conversion tracking. While we won’t delve deep in this article, remember: conversion tracking is key to understanding crucial actions visitors take on your site. Stay tuned for our in-depth guide on setting up conversion tracking through GA4 and GTM.
Integrating GA4 with Google Tag Manager may seem daunting, but by following this guide, you can effortlessly connect the two. This marriage of tools will supercharge your analytics capabilities and pave the way for sophisticated tracking setups, including conversion tracking.
Also published on Medium.