Uncover the Benefits, Challenges, and Step-by-Step Setup for GA4 Integration
IN THIS ARTICLE YOU WILL:
- Overview: GA4 Benefits & Challenges for Convert.com
- Benefits
- Drawbacks
- Step 1 : Initial Setup
- Step 2 : Enable Convert-GA4 integration
- Step 3 : Create GA4 audiences
- Step 4 : Analyze results in GA4
- Step 5 : Statistical Analysis
- Some tips
Overview
Using Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to measure Convert.com split tests offers powerful analytics capabilities, but it also comes with certain trade-offs. GA4 provides advanced segmentation, user-centric metrics, and seamless integration with Google services, making it a valuable tool for analyzing your experiments. However, its complexity and the need for manual setup of test reporting can introduce challenges. Let's explore the benefits and drawbacks before diving into a step-by-step guide to streamline your integration and maximize the insights from your A/B tests.
Benefits:
- Advanced Analytics: GA4 provides robust analytics capabilities, including user-centric measurement, cross-device tracking, and advanced segmentation.
- Flexible Reporting: Create custom reports and explorations tailored to your specific needs.
- Integration: GA4 natively integrates with other Google products, such as Google Ads and BigQuery.
- Scalability: GA4 can handle large volumes of data, making it suitable for enterprise-level testing.
- Using Google Analytics, enables marketers to analyze test data more fluently using advanced segmentation, allowing them to integrate the data with media spend, SEO, and other analytics.
- Cost savings related to Google Analytics 4 being a free tool
Drawbacks:
- Complexity: GA4 has a steeper learning curve compared to other analytics tools.
- No Out-of-the-Box Test Reporting: Unlike Convert's native reporting, GA4 requires manual setup for test analysis.
- Data Discrepancies: Minor differences in tracking methods may lead to slight discrepancies between Convert and GA4 data.
- Limited Historical Data: GA4 does not support retroactive data collection, so test data is only available from the time of integration.
- Having the evaluation on a different tool than the testing tool, increases the chances of errors, latency, and complexity.
Now that we've considered the pros and cons let's dive into the setup process.
Step 1: Initial Setup
Prerequisites:
- Convert.com account with tracking code
- GA4 property and tracking code
- Both codes properly placed (Convert before GA4)
Step 2: Enable Convert-GA4 Integration
Project Level Integration:
- Navigate to Project Configuration > Integrations
- Select "Google Analytics" and "Google Analytics 4 Integration"
- Authenticate with Google
- Select your GA4 property and data stream
- Alternative: Experience Level Integration
- Set up GA4 integration per individual experience
Step 3: Create GA4 Audiences
After activating your experience:
- Use Convert's "Create GA4 Audiences" feature
- Verify audience creation in GA4
- Note: Keep experience names under 255 characters
Step 4: Analyze Results in GA4
Two methods to analyze data:
Method 1: Using GA4 Audiences
- Reports > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition
- Add comparison using Audience name
- Select variation audiences
- Add relevant metrics
Method 2: Using Experience Impression Event
- Create custom dimension for experience_impression:
- Use format: CONV-[Experience ID]-[Variation ID]
- Create exploration report:
- Example Data Analysis:
-
Let's say you're testing a new checkout page:
Variation Users Conversions Conv. Rate Control 10,000 500 5.00% Variation 1 10,000 600 6.00%
Step 5: Statistical Analysis
Use an A/B test calculator (like abtestguide.com/calc/):
Input:
- Control: 10,000 visitors, 500 conversions (5.00%)
- Variant: 10,000 visitors, 600 conversions (6.00%)
- Confidence Level: 95%
- Two-tailed test
The calculator would show:
- Statistical significance achieved
- Relative improvement: 20%
- P-value: 0.003
- Confidence interval: 0.5% to 1.5%
Important Metrics to Track in GA4:
- Conversion events
- Engagement metrics
- User behavior flows
- Custom events
- Session duration
Pro Tips:
Data Quality:
- Use GA4 DebugView for verification
- Monitor audience creation
- Check real-time reports initially
- Best Practices:
- Wait for statistical significance
- Use consistent naming
- Document test configurations
- Consider seasonal effects
Advanced Analysis:
- Create custom explorations
- Use path analysis
- Compare segments
- Analyze user behavior patterns
Troubleshooting:
If data isn't appearing:
- Check tracking code placement
- Verify GA4 property settings
- Confirm audience creation
- Review browser cookie settings
Remember:
- Always wait for statistical significance
- Consider sample size requirements
- Document all test configurations
- Monitor data quality regularly
- This method provides clean, reliable data analysis while leveraging GA4's powerful segmentation and reporting capabilities. However, it also comes with certain trade-offs, such as increased complexity and potential data discrepancies. Need help? Convert's support team is available 24/7.