What is the Right Time to Switch to Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

On 16th March 2022, Google announced GA4 as their next-gen measurement solution that will be replacing Universal Analytics. As per the announcement, the standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing new hits on July 1, 2023.

For the businesses that still rely on Universal Analytics, it was recommended that they start preparing how to use Google Analytics 4 and switch to GA4 as soon as possible. Google shared the update almost 16 months before it is going to be implemented, and there was a reason behind that.

Google wanted businesses to switch to GA4 at the earliest for their own good. Moving forward, we will understand why.

Why You Should Consider Switching To GA4 Today?

The fact that the announcement was made way before the implementation is itself a prominent reason. Along with that, there are several things that we need to consider,

• You need time to learn GA4: Once you understand what is Google Analytics 4, and how it works. You will need some time to try your hands on GA4 before Universal Analytics stops functioning. There are several major changes so it might take sometime to learn using it properly.
• Identify the Pros & Cons: As earlier as you shift to GA4, as much time you will have to compare similar data in both, UA and GA4. It will eventually help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of the updated solution. You can also your feedback with Google for enhancements as an early user.

Suggested Read: Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics — What Is the Difference?

• If you decide to switch to GA4 right before UA stops processing new hits, things will get complicated for you. The new data will be fetched in GA4 while for the previous months’ data you will have to check UA. The process of comparison will get way more complex.
• If you intend to provide GA4 consultation services to your clients, it is a better approach for you to gain expertise by spending time managing GA4 for your in-house work. It will give you an edge over your competitors.

Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics — What Is the Difference?

Now we know how crucial it is to migrate to GA4 as soon as possible. Ideally, this should have been done before July 1, 2022, if you keep a check on the annual database. Still, if you haven’t done it yet, please don’t waste your time anymore. Just create your GA4 property (or properties) and go on with it.

The first step would be creating new GA4 property and adding the new tracking tag to your site. It is easily accomplished when you implement GA4 using Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Can you suggest more reasons why NOW is the right time to switch to GA4? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read Next: Google UA Historical Data Will be Deleted in July 2024?

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.