Using GA4 Events To Measure Performance Like A Pro

Today, we’re diving into the world of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) events. If you’ve ever felt like you need more critical user data or need help to make sense of your website’s performance, GA4 events will be your new best friend.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through setting up GA4 events like a pro. We’ll also include some key differences between GA4 and its predecessor, Universal Analytics (UA). Let’s get into it.

GA4 vs. Universal Analytics: What’s the Scoop?

Before we jump into events, GA4 is the most recent version of Google’s website analytics platform, replacing Universal Analytics. But GA4 isn’t just a fresh coat of paint; it’s a whole new analytics playground combining insights from websites, mobile apps and offline data to understand user behavior.

One of the coolest upgrades? Cross-device tracking. GA4 knows when users switch from browsing your site on their laptops to scrolling through their phones. This means you’ll better understand how users engage across various devices.

Main Differences for GA4:

• User interface: Notably more modern and more accessible for users to navigate

• Data collection methods: Cookies, Google Tag Manager and other data collection methods are consolidated to better track user behavior.

• Privacy: More user data is aggregated and therefore less observable to protect user privacy.

• Event tracking: More flexible and customizable based on parameters and events

• Reporting: More advanced overall reporting capabilities; encompass predictive analytics and user behavior with detailed insights

Making Sense of GA4 Events

Think of events as your backstage pass to understanding user interactions on your website or app. You get to see the nitty-gritty details of what your users are up to, and that’s pure gold for optimizing your site’s performance. But you need to know coding to set up these complicated custom events, right? Wrong. Fortunately, GA4 makes customizing your own events simple, no coding knowledge required.

Common events such as clicks, downloads, form submissions, page views, user engagement, video starts, and more are automatically tracked by GA4, and won’t need to be configured by you in custom events.

Here’s how you set up GA4 events:

1. On the left-hand menu, click “Events.”

2. Select “Create Event.”

3. Name your event, tweak the parameters, and choose the event type.

4. Get creative with your event trigger – anything from a button click to a custom interaction.

5. Pop the event code onto your website or app.

6. Make sure you test the event to make sure it’s tracking properly.

Dive even deeper into event creation with this detailed tutorial.

Navigating the GA4 Reports Jungle

Reports are the backbone of understanding your data. In GA4, you can access different reports, each offering unique insights, including data based around the specific events you set up. 

• Realtime Report: Get a live view of current user activity.

• User Acquisition Report: Learn how users are discovering your site.

• Engagement Report: Measure how users interact with your content.

• Monetization Report: Keep tabs on your revenue streams.

• Demographic Details Report: Get to know your audience demographics.

• Tech Details Report: Dive into users’ devices and browsers.

• Advertising Details Report: Track the performance of your ads.

• Multi-Channel Tracking: Understand user journeys across platforms.

These reports are your secret weapon for data-driven decisions. GA4 events unlock valuable insights that inform strategy and drive your business’s success.

GA4 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a revolution in analytics. With its powerful insights, cross-device tracking, and event-based data collection, you’re equipped to conquer the digital marketing landscape.

Using this information, set up those events, and dive deep into the world of insights. If you need expert guidance, book a free marketing consultation with Dream Local Digital to kick-start your GA4 journey! We are a strategic partner to businesses throughout the United States, leveraging years of expertise and cutting-edge industry insights to maximize your growth.