Universal Analytics' Retirement and Configuring Google Analytics 4

Google has announced that its Universal Analytics (UA) platform will be officially retired on July 1, 2023. It is being replaced by the newer Google Analytics 4 platform. This means that if you are using Universal Analytics, this platform will stop processing data as of July 1, 2023 and any new data gathered after this date can only be processed in Google Analytics 4 (GA4).

While gathering analytics is not integral to the functionality of your website, it's important to complete the configuration to GA4 for your property ID(s) as soon as possible, so that it can begin to gather data for use in your analysis.

Please let us know your plan for configuration

You can choose to complete this configuration yourself, by a third-party who handles your analytics, or you can request GHD Digital to assist in the configuration for GHD Digital-operated software.

Regardless of how you would like to approach this configuration, please complete our Google Analytics 4 Configuration Form to let us know if you plan to handle it yourself, if you need assistance from us, if you have already completed the configuration, or if you're not sure where to start.

Complete the Google Analytics 4 Configuration Form

How to complete your configuration to GA4

You can configure Google Analytics 4 for your property ID(s) yourself. We provide step-by-step instructions for clients who use the i:Create content management system (CMS), as well as the Umbraco CMS.

View the following i:Create instructions, including:

View the following Umbraco instructions, including:

You can also view additional instructions from Google on:

Need help with your configuration?

We also offer Google Analytics 4 configuration services on GHD Digital-operated software for our clients (applicable fees apply). Simply notify us in the Google Analytics 4 Configuration Form that you would like our assistance and we will follow up.

If you have any questions about our configuration services, please reach out to us at analyticsupgrade-pnp@ghd.com.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: Why is Google retiring Universal Analytics and implementing Google Analytics 4 going forward?

A1: Google Analytics 4 represents the next generation of Google's analytics platforms. It addresses evolving measurement standards and has the flexibility to measure many different kinds of data. It allows organizations to see unified user journeys across websites and apps, reveal and predict new insights, and keep up with a changing digital ecosystem.

Google Analytics 4 is designed with your organization's key objectives in mind, such as user engagement and satisfaction. It supports operations by:

  • Understanding your users across touchpoints
  • Improving ROI with data-driven attribution
  • Measuring engagement and conversions with business and compliance needs in mind
  • Getting greater value from your data
  • Easily activating your insights

You can learn more about the benefits of Google Analytics 4 by visiting Google's Analytics Support Centre or with Google's article "Prepare for the future with Google Analytics 4".

Q2: What is the difference between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4?

A2: Learn about the differences between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4.

Q3: What if I don't know my current analytics setup or version that my site is using?

A3: Talk to your organization's IT manager or website supervisor to find out which version of Google Analytics your site is currently using. If you still don't know, contact us using our Google Analytics 4 Configuration Form and we would be happy to assist. You can also view this informational YouTube video on how to tell if you are using Universal Analytics or Google Analytics 4.

Q4: How do I login to view my Google Analytics information?

A4: Login to Google Analytics.

Q5: What if I don't know my Google Analytics login information or can't access my Google Analytics account?

A5: If you're unsure which account to use for your Google Analytics login, please contact us at analyticsupgrade-pnp@ghd.com and we may be able to see the required login account needed. However, we can only do this if we have full admin access. Otherwise, we cannot access this information.

If that is the case, please contact Google support to gain access. If you need to create a completely new Google Analytics account, Google will set you up with a Google Analytics 4 property. You will not be able to access to any historical data from the property ID's previous Universal Analytics account, since you don't have access to it.

Q6: I use a third-party service provider to manage my analytics. What are they doing about this retirement?

A6: Please reach out to your provider for more information on their plan for the retirement.

Q7: What is the cost for GHD Digital to configure Google Analytics 4 for me?

A7: We can set up and configure Google Analytics 4 on your behalf, for GHD Digital-operated software, at a cost of $655 plus applicable taxes per property ID. If your property ID has Google Tag Manager set up with custom events tracking, there may be additional costs associated. An account representative will reach out to you shortly after you submit your Google Analytics 4 Configuration Form to clarify.

Q8: What is the turnaround time for GHD Digital to configure my Google Analytics 4 for me after payment/signed contract?

A8: We anticipate a turnaround time of approximately four weeks to complete the configuration.

Q9: What happens to the data that Universal Analytics has already collected for my property ID(s)? Can I import it into Google Analytics 4 or back it up?

A9: Archived information that has been collected by Universal Analytics will only be available on the platform for six months after July 1, 2023 (or until January 1, 2024). You can generate reports of historical data before Universal Analytics is officially retired. Learn what kinds of data you can and can't export and import when using Google Analytics with this informational YouTube video.

Q10: Why should I complete the configuration as soon as possible? July 2023 seems like a long ways away.

A10: The earlier that you configure Google Analytics 4 with your property ID(s), the earlier that the platform will begin to gather useful data that you can analyze. For example, many different kinds of data are only useful when you have two full calendar quarters (of three months each) of data collected. This means that ideally, you want at least six months of Google Analytics 4-collected data to make useful observations that are backed by a stronger, quality sample size versus analyzing data taken from mere days or weeks.

Q11: I have other questions not listed here.

A11: If you have any questions about Google's Analytics platforms, please visit Google's Analytics Support Centre. If you have any questions about our configuration services, please contact us at analyticsupgrade-pnp@ghd.com.