How To Add Google Analytics To WordPress for Beginners

How To Add Google Analytics To Wordpress

Table of Contents

Ever wondered how to Add Google Analytics To WordPress? Google Analytics is a tool that allows you to put tracking software on your websites and emails. It is important for many reasons, partially because it allows you to analyze the traffic going to your website. This information allows you to run more effective internet sales and marketing campaigns. You will be given insights to your website such as; how many visit user visits, what visitors are looking at, how long they are looking and what regions they are arriving from. 

Step #1: Create A Google Account

If you have not already, you will need to create a Google.com or Gmail.com account.  A Google account is particularly important because it gives you the ability to take part in the Google ecosystem of applications. Best of all, it is free and it is easy to do. All you really need to do is go to Google.com and follow the new user setup wizard. 

Step #2: Create a Google Analytics Tracking Code using the Google Analytics Search Console

Enable the Google Analytics Console

To get Google Analytics working you are going need to configure, yup you guessed it, the “Google Analytics Console”. To get there go to https://analytics.google.com.

When you first get there, you will have to complete a getting started wizard.  

Click “Start Measuring” when you arrive.

Welcome to Google Analytics

Assign Account Name

The first thing the wizard will ask you is to name the account; it is going to be listed as “Account details.” Put your company name there. For purposes of this tutorial we are using “DIY Marketing Lessons” as our fictitious company name.

account setup

Configure Account Data Sharing Options

The wizard will ask for permissions pertaining to your online goals. Sometimes the data requests can be legally overreaching. Here it is best to check with your tech team and/or your legal team if you are concerned about any potential legal or privacy issues.

account data sharing settings

Google Search Console Property Setup

This step is where you will add your website information. The wizard asks for more some basic information about your website this time.

google analytics property setup

Enter Basic Information About Your Website or Business

Choose your business industry category. We have selected “Internet & Telecom.”

The business size we are going to select small. For both, you can select what represents your organizational size.

google analytics about your business

Read and agree to the Terms of Service

Once you complete the initial setup the tool will ask you to agree to the terms of use. Again, this should be reviewed with your technical and legal teams, if required. 

google analytics terms of service

Setup a Data Stream to Start Collecting Data

Select the option for “Web”

google analytics data stream setup_
google analytics web setup

Setup Your Google Analytics Web Stream

Enter your website URL.

Note: select the correct http or https prefix option depending on your website setup.
Stream name we are going to use the name of our server “www”.

google analytics setup data stream

Configure web stream details

Now that you have added your property, you’re going to be brought to a screen that says says “Web stream details”. This the area where you can get your website Google Analytics Tracking Code.
The code is listed as “Measurement ID.”

google analytics web stream details_
Just below under “Tagging Instructions” select the option for “Google Site Tag”
google analytics tag button

Copy Google Analytics Website Tracking Code

google analytics tag instructions_

Step#3: Install Google Tracking code on your WordPress website

hint: This is the section we will actually add Google Analytics to WordPress.

Install “Insert Headers and Footers” Plugin

Log in to your WordPress console. In your console you are going to install a plugin called “insert headers and footers” by WP beginner.

wordpress dashboard

Navigate to plugins

Click the option to “Add New”

Type the name “insert headers and footers”

Click “Install Now”

insert headers and footers
Click Activate
activate button

Upload Google Analytics Tracking Code

Now back in your WordPress console, on the left-hand side, navigate down to where it says “Settings.” You will see an option for the program you just installed.

  • Click “Insert Headers and Footers”
  • Navigate to where it says “scripts in header”
  • Paste the Google Analytics Code you copied in the previous step
  • Save

You have successfully completed the installation of your tracking code.

woocommerce settings

Step#4 Verify if your Google Analytics Tracking Code is working.

To verify the installation of your tracking code simply go back to the Google Analytics Console. There will be an option that says “Realtime.” Click it!
Next, go to your website, either on your on your computer or another device and you will see that it’s tracking your visit. How cool is that!

testing google analytics to see if it is working

You have successfully learned how to  add Google Analytics Tracking to WordPress.

What’s your go to method for installing Google Analytics? Share with us in the comments below.

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