How to Add Google Analytics to Your WordPress Website

Introduction: #

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add Google Analytics to your WordPress website using the official Site Kit plugin by Google. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps you measure your website’s performance, understand visitor behavior, and improve your site accordingly.

Benefits: #

Adding Google Analytics to your website allows you to track the number of visitors, which pages are most popular, how much time visitors spend on your site, and what actions they take. This data helps you identify areas for improvement and optimize your website for better performance.

Prerequisites: #

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

• A WordPress account. If you don’t have one, please reach out to us at info@booklive.com, and we’ll provide you with a free account as part of your BookLive subscription.
• Logged into your WordPress account.
• A Google account.

Step-by-Step Guide: #

1. Log into Your WordPress Dashboard #

• Open your web browser and go to your site’s URL.
• Add /wp-admin to the end of the URL.
• Enter your username and password.
• Click the “Log In” button to access your WordPress dashboard.

2. Install the Google Site Kit Plugin #

• On the left-hand side menu, hover over “Plugins.”
• Click “Add New.”
• In the search bar, type “Google Site Kit.”
• The first result should be “Site Kit by Google.” Click the “Install Now” button.
• After the installation is complete, click the blue “Activate” button.

3. Set Up Google Site Kit #

• After activation, you will see a congratulatory message with a “Start Setup” button. Click “Start Setup.”
• Site Kit will check compatibility with your website. Once confirmed, check the box to connect Google Analytics as part of your setup.
• Sign in with your Google account and select the account you want to use.
• Grant the necessary permissions for Site Kit to access your Google account. Click “Continue.”

4. Connect Google Analytics #

• Site Kit will verify your site and check compatibility. Click “Next.”
• Allow Site Kit to add metrics to your WordPress dashboard. Click “Allow.”
• Click “Set Up Search Console” to connect your site to Google Search Console, providing additional insights and data.
• Click “Next” to proceed to the Google Analytics setup.

5. Set Up Google Analytics Account #

• If you do not have a Google Analytics account, you will need to create one:
  • Enter the account name (e.g., your name).
  • Enter the property name (your domain name).
  • Set the web data stream (your domain name).
  • Select your country and time zone.
• If you already have a Google Analytics account, select the existing account and property.
• Grant Site Kit permission to create a new Analytics property if needed.
• Click “Complete Setup.”

6. Finalize and View Data #

• Site Kit will complete the setup process. This may take a few minutes.
• Once setup is complete, you will see a confirmation message. Click “OK, Got It.”
• Note that it can take up to 72 hours for Google Analytics to start displaying data.

7. Access Your Analytics Data #

• A new “Site Kit” tab will appear in your WordPress dashboard, just below “Dashboard.”
• Click on “Site Kit” to view your Google Analytics data directly within WordPress.
• For a more detailed analysis, visit the Google Analytics website by clicking the “Source: Analytics” link in the Site Kit dashboard.

Conclusion: #

You’ve successfully added Google Analytics to your WordPress website using the Site Kit plugin. This integration will provide valuable insights into your website’s performance, helping you make data-driven decisions to improve your site.