How to Setup Google Analytics (GA4) for any website
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set up Google Analytics (GA4)
Step 1: Sign in to Google Analytics
- Go to https://analytics.google.com
- Log in using your Google account (ideally the one linked to your other Google services like Search Console or Tag Manager)
Step 2: Create a New GA4 Property
- Once logged in, click Admin (bottom left corner)
- Under Account, select your account or create a new one
- Under Property, click Create Property
-
Fill in:
- Property Name (e.g. My Business GA4)
- Reporting Time Zone (set to Australia – Brisbane)
- Currency (AUD)
- Click Next, select your business category and size, then click Create
Step 3: Set Up a Data Stream
- Choose your platform — in most cases, select Web
- Enter your Website URL and Stream Name
- Click Create Stream
You’ll now see your Measurement ID (starts with G-), which you’ll need to install GA4.
Step 4: Install GA4 Tracking Code
Method 1: Using Google Tag Manager (Recommended)
If you’ve already set up Google Tag Manager:
- Open GTM and go to Tags > New
- Select Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration
- Enter your Measurement ID
- Set the trigger to All Pages
- Save and Publish the tag
Method 2: Add Directly to Your Website (for HTML websites)
- From your GA4 Data Stream, under Tagging Instructions, choose Global Site Tag (gtag.js)
- Copy the provided script
- Paste it into the <head> section of every page on your website
Method 3: Use a Plugin (for WordPress users)
- Install a plugin such as GA Google Analytics or Site Kit by Google
- Paste your Measurement ID into the plugin settings
- Save and verify connection
Step 5: Verify Your GA4 Setup
- Open your website in a new browser tab
- In GA4, go to Admin > DebugView or Reports > Real-time
- You should see your active visit — this means tracking is working
Step 6: Configure Key Events and Conversions
GA4 no longer tracks basic events like pageviews and scrolls the same way as Universal Analytics. However, it does offer Enhanced
Measurement
by default.
-
In your Web Stream Details, toggle on:
- Page views
- Scrolls
- Outbound clicks
- Site search
- Video engagement
- File downloads
-
To track specific actions (e.g. button clicks, form submissions), create custom events in GA4 or Tag Manager, and mark them as conversions
Step 7: Link GA4 to Google Ads and Search Console
- In Admin, go to Product Links
-
Link your:
- Google Ads account for remarketing and ad performance
- Search Console for organic keyword insights
- Follow the prompts to authorise and confirm linking
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