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How to set up GA4 for WordPress The GA4 is available for both free and paid Methods

Sep 22, 2023

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If you've been wondering about how to setup GA4 for WordPress for your company's website, you're in the right spot. In this thorough guide, growth manager Curt Noble demonstrates how to do it quick, easy and for no cost.

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This isn't your typical GA4 guide or blog. I'm not planning to take the time to explain how GA4 is, and the reasons it sucks.

I'm just trying to show you can install GA4 as well as provide the information you need to complete the task so that you can do it as fast as you can.

Enough has been written about migrating from Universal Analytics (UA) to GA4. So, for this post, I'll be showing you the steps to perform a clean installation of GA4 on your website commercial website.

In case you're getting started with WordPress and you're looking to monitor your visitors' and measure performance, bookmark this blog post.

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Each Website has its own GA4 Monitoring Needs

Each website is unique in its data tracking needs. Also, it's impossible to tackle each and every GA4 tracking scenario. Thus, I'll stick to the basics, as much as possible.

That means, if you would like to know the number of tacos customers have consumed before signing in for your Taco Tuesday Premium Recipe Membership... you're in the wrong place.

It is unlikely that we will outline that data tracking solution here.

But stick around, because you'll have to begin here anyway. Your first task is to create an GA4 account using Google and then set up your data streaming.

Sounds fun, right?

The best membership plugin for GA4 Reporting

Woman doing GA4 reporting

The methods described in this tutorial work on any WordPress site. However, let's be honest. Certain WordPress plugins and themes work better with GA4. And this is the case with membership sites.

The main benefit of integrating with GA4 is its versatility in terms of hooks available and API access. It's the easiest Membership plugin to connect with.

That means all important Google Analytics plugins have integrated with . You'll see throughout this guide the ways these integrations can make the life of users easier.

So, I'll just come right out and say it. If you're not using GA4 on your site  GA4, you'll likely require the help of a Google Analytics specialist to completely set up GA4 for your WordPress website for membership.

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How Do You Set Up Google Analytics GA4 on Your WordPress Membership Website

Follow these steps for how to set up GA4 on WordPress

This guide outlines four methods for how to set up GA4 using WordPressfor your website for membership or business online. The methods vary from easyto no cost, with the easymethod that requires a minimal fee.

I'm certain that any one of these four methods is the best option for your particular situation. Each of them has the exact starting point. You'll have to begin from there prior to doing anything else.

Create Google Analytics Account

If you're not in the process of signing up to any Google service (like Gmail or Google Drive), or you'd like to create a new account for Google Analytics to begin, you'll need to create an account with Google. Google account.

If you're looking to create an account then you are able to create one via the Google Analytics webpage.

Create a new GA4 property

Once you've registered to create an account with your Google Analytics account and logging in, you'll need to create your GA4 property.

As a Google Analytics account can be used to monitor and analyze several websites, it is possible to set up multiple properties to separate the information.

If you are logged into Google Analytics, click to the Admin menu in the bottom left-hand corner. Then click the button to make a new property..

On the Create Property screen on the Create Property screen, all you have to do is provide some the basic information about your website. Under the Business Objectives options you can choose several objectives.

The settings you set will determine what reports will be available out of the box GA4. GA4. Don't worry though. There is always the option to alter your GA4 reports through the GUI later.

Add property details in Google Analytics.

If you are able to access the Data Collection options, choose the Web optionfrom the choices. This is where you'll configure the GA4 Data stream.

The Data stream is where GA4 tracks all the activities which occur on your site.

You must enter your website's URL. assign your data stream a name. I would suggest adding "GA4" in the stream's name. This can help you identify it as GA4. GA4 data stream in the future in this guide.

Configuring GA4 Events to collect on WordPress

GA4 is a collection of what's known as "default events". It is your choice to decide which of these events are important to you.

I would suggest choosing the enhanced measurement option. This will tell GA4 to gather a couple of more standard events, like scroll depth, clicks outbound, web search, and many others.

When you click on the gear icon on the right you can pick and choose which events to follow. Your best bet is to keep them all in check.

There's a chance that you'll find a huge omission There's an event to purchasing event on the schedule! Weird, right?

We'll talk about that in the near future.

Set up data stream in Google Analytics.

Step One is completed!

That wasn't so hard wasn't it?

So, now you have now a fully operational GA4 web property with a data stream. But it's just sitting there just waiting for data to move (kind of like my kid who is sitting at the table and a bowl, waiting for somebody to pour out the Cap'n Crunch).

Next let's examine four methods to put cereal in the bowl. Oh, no... I mean get the GA4 events into the stream of data.

Adding GA4 to Any WordPress Website

It's all set. You've got your GA4 data stream set up and ready to receive website events. Now you just need to add some code to WordPress to allow data to the stream.

In the past, I've mentioned that there are many ways to do this. And you'll have to determine which is the best method for you based on your situation.

There are some things to consider when working out how to determine the best way to add GA4 to your WordPress site:

  • Are you comfortable using the GA4 report interface?
  • Do you offer subscriptions, courses, or downloads on your site?
  • Are you familiar with Google Tag Manager?
  • Do you have any advertising or social media traffic that you want to monitor?
  • Are you a member of an affiliate program? Do you have links that you wish to promote?

There's probably more to be thinking about. But this is a good starting point. Under each of the four methods below, I'll also include scenarios showing when each method may be appropriate.

Now let's move on!

METHOD #1 Method #1: Add GA4 plugin to WordPress freewith Google Site Kit plugin

The method you choose to use can be totally cost-free. But it may not be the right choice for your WordPress site. This method works on WordPress membership sites that aren't selling anything.

The reason for this is Google Site Kit has a important limitation with regards to ecommerce tracking - that is, it doesn't have the capability.

The only thing it does is configure Google applications and tools.

Are you thinking of using it to track affiliate links or the traffic of social networks such as Facebook or Twitter (X) later in the future? It's best to avoid this no-cost technique.

If you choose to scale it will cause you with a lot of limitations. This being said, here are the steps.

Install the Google Site Kit Plugin

From the Add Plugins page, just look up the keyword Site Kit on Google. Install and then activate the plugin.

Add plugins in WordPress.

When the plugin is enabled after activation, you are able to begin the setup process. The first step requires you to sign in to the same Google account that you have used to register the GA4 property in the past.

Connect your GA4 data stream to WordPress with Google Site Kit

As I said earlier, you could use Site Kit to connect to various other Google applications and tools. However, this is optional.

Now, let's join Google Analytics by selecting it from the list to begin setting up.

Google Site Kit installation screen.

The next step is to choose your property, account, as well as the data stream. Be sure you pick your GA4 data stream you've previously made.

You could also let Google Site Kit to generate an GA4 Data stream for you if don't already have one. However, the choices aren't endless. This is why I recommend making the data stream separate.

Be sure to select the option to insert the Google Analytics 4 Coding here. This is the way GA4 can collect events from analytics on your WordPress website.

That's all there is to it. Google Analytics 4 is now installed on your WordPress website.

Be aware there's a slight delay in the data collection. So, you won't see any data in reports for your GA4 accounts for some time.

Verify you are sure that GA4 The data is flowing

You can check to make sure your data is moving by viewing the Real Time report in GA4.

Return to the Google Analytics account, and choose Reportson the left navigation menu. Click the Real-Time option..

If there isn't any of the information listed there's a chance that there isn't anyone currently browsing your website. That's okay. Just go to your website using a different browser tab.

Sooner or later, you'll see your user session appear in the real time reports.

Method #2 2. Add GA4 on WordPress Membership site using Google Tag Manager for free (kind of)

This method of how to add GA4 on to WordPress uses the free Google Tag Manager (GTM) solution.

Although GTM is available for free but it could need the assistance of an expert in analytics to finish the set-up. So this method works well for those who have prior knowledge of GTM.

GTM allows you to configure your own custom events. In GA4, you'll need to set up a number of events using Tag Manager. So, buckle up.

For the implementation of ecommerce tracking with GTM in a WordPress website for members, you'll probably need some more programming. Specifically, you'll need an application that can push your transaction information into Google Analytics' data layer. Google Analytics data layer.

Understanding the Layer of Data Layer

The layer of data is an essential concept when working with GTM as well as Google Analytics (GA4). It functions as the bridge between your website and GTM.

And it allows you to transmit your own information for GA4, Google Ads, and various other third-party service providers.

The main purpose for the layer's data is to isolate the information from the layer of presentation (your information). So, instead of hardcoding data directly into tags or scripts on your website it is possible to insert the data in your data layer.

Then, GTM can read the data, and use it to populate tags, triggers and variables.

What a Data Layer Does to Make Your Life Easier

  • FlexibilityIt is possible to change, add or remove data without changing the site's code. This is especially useful for those who don't have access directly to the source code of a website.
  • Consistency - By centralizing information in one location this ensures consistency in information collection across different tools and platforms.
  • Enhanced Tracking Data Layer lets you use more advanced tracking applications, for example collecting the data of dynamic websites or even single-page apps.
  • Security - By monitoring which data is entered to the data layer, and the way that it is accessible, you can make sure that confidential information doesn't accidentally transferred to third-party programs.

Now that you've got the notion of data layer now let's install GTM set up!

Install the Google Tag Manager Plugin

There are numerous plugins that can be used to add GTM for your WordPress website. As there's a standard GTM implementation, most of them perform the same function.

As it turns out, this Site Kit Google plugin will also set up an GTM container for you!

Scroll up to METHOD #1 for instructions on the steps you can install Google Site Kit. Google Site Kit plugin. Then just choose the options to include Google Tag Manager.

Configuring the GA4 Tag in Google Tag Manager

Once you have GTM installed and configured and configured, it's time to begin deploying your first GTM tag!

Quick note here: Google recently migrated the old GA4 Configuration Tag to the worldwide Google Tag. So, if you've seen other tutorials mentioning the GA4 Configuration tag inside GTM, it's not there now.

Once you sign in to GTM, once you have logged into your GTM workspace and click on the Add Tag button, you can add a new tag. Give the tag a name at the lower left.

I would suggest using an example such as "Google Tag for GA4". This can help you remember the tag is controlling your GA4 implementation.

After that, you can go into the Tag Configuration area to create a new tag type. There will be a choice for Google Analytics. And on the next screen you'll see several Google Analytics choices. Make sure you choose Google Tag here.

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It will be possible to configure GA4 events in the future. The first step is to make sure that the Google Analytics code firing.

Once you've put in the right Google Tag, you'll have to input your Google Analytics Measurement ID.

The tag ID is how Google determines where it should transmit data from your site. Here is how you can identify the GA4 Measurement ID.

We now need to inform Google Tag Manager where you wish this tag to appear on your WordPress website. The GTM container is on every page on your website. So, here you can decide to add your GA4 tag on each page, too.

Within the Triggering Panel select the option Initiation - all pages.

Google tag for GA4 screenshot

Uploading Your GA4 Tag to Your WordPress Membership Website

All you have to do now is to backup your tag configuration and publish the changes in your container.

Then, you'll find the Submitbutton in the upper righthand edge of the GTM Workspace.

The moment is now GA4 will be collecting the event details that are default for your website.

All the code is in place to push default event data into your data layer.

Additionally, the events you defined earlier in the GA4 option for data streams are tracked.

There's also no tracking of e-commerce in place. We'll take care of the issue...

How Do You Track Your Membership Profits from Sales in GA4

Did you remember all the talk regarding the data layer above? In order to track membership sales revenues or other e-commerce information, you must push that data into your data layer.

This requires some extra code. Also, you'll need to use Google Documentation. Google Documentation.

There are two components to this setup.

In the beginning, you'll have to transfer the details of your transaction into your data layer following an effective sale. Here's a sample code that will trigger the "purchase" event:

window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push( 'event': 'purchase', 'currency': 'USD', // use your currency 'value': 100.00, // total transaction value 'transaction_id': 'T12345', // unique transaction ID 'items': [ // array of purchased item objects  'item_id': 'SKU12345', 'item_name': 'Product Name', 'price': 50.00, 'quantity': 2  // ... other purchased items ] );

Second, you'll need to configure an event tag in GTM to gather and transmit the data from transactions into GA4 reports. Tags set up in GTM look like this:

  • Create a new tag with the tag type  GA4 Event.
  • In the name of the event you must enter "purchase".
  • The event's parameters are mapped as prior to:
  • currency converts to currency|A|The} Data Layer Variable
  • value to alue|the|A} Data Layer Variable
  • Transaction ID to ransaction_id||A} Data Layer Variable
  • items to items|A|the} Data Layer Variable
  • Make a trigger to this tag to trigger the confirmation page of an order or upon the transaction is successful.

Can't You Find a Simpler Way?

Using GTM to include GA4 tracking on a WordPress site can be quite a task.

The method I've described above can provide you with the fundamental analysis tracking as well as the ecommerce report on revenue.

However, you'll need to go and configure every other piece of data needs to be tracked. Then think about the danger of what might happen if Google "flips your script" on you.

For example, the migration to GA3 (Universal Analytics) to GA4 created quite a shake-up for site owners as well as marketers.

If you're managing the complete monitoring strategy using GTM and GTM, you'll need to pay very close attention to changes. In many companies, this is a full time position.

Is there an easier solution? Yes, it is. There are actually two more methods to accomplish this using premium plugins.

The Most Budget-Friendly Ways to Configure GA4 for WordPress Websites for Membership and Online Business

Phew! We made it through the difficult portion. If you've gone through the previous two options for setting up GA4 on WordPress You might be thinking this is above your pay grade. I assure you, it's not. These next two options are "stupid-easy".

More than 10 years have I spent working with web analytics systems.

I've been involved in implementations that range from no-cost Google Analytics Legacy versions, to enterprise solutions like Web Trends and Omniture SiteCatalyst (both prior to and following an acquisition by Adobe deal).

And I've even collaborated with data platform for customers solutions such as Tealium to implement analytics software. I was working with data layers before they became cool.

So, you can believe me to say that these two plugins are the best method to install GA4 for WordPress.

METHOD 3 METHOD #3 "almost free" way to add GA4 to WordPress by using WPCode Pro

When I was in college there was a discount card known as"the "Starving Student Card." It offered me discounts on Big Juan burritos from Taco Time. And I think there also were discounts on other items. But that's not important.

It's a good idea to be calling this"Starting Student" method "Starving Student" method to integrate GA4 into your site for membership.

This is a great option for budgeting, especially for a college student who is on a budget. This is how:

Join WPCode Pro and install it. WPCode Pro

WPCode homepage screenshot

There's a version for free also, dubbed WPCode Lite. But since you're implementing GA4 in a site that is a member-based, you'll need some key options that only come with premium.

Specifically, you'll need the Conversion Pixels as well as the Advanced eCommerce Locationsfeatures.

Plus! It's also possible to use WPCode Pro to add your social media tracking pixels.

There are many millions of WordPress sites that are using WPCode. At 4.9 rating, this is quite probably the most highly rated plugin out there.

WPCode customer rating screenshot

For the first step, go sign up for WPCode Pro. (If you're only looking to put it on a single website, then the Basic Plan includes everything you require for GA4.)

Follow the next steps to install and then activate the plugin on the WordPress website. WPCode Pro has been integrated with an auto-detect feature for your plugin. This can be a huge time-saver.

Configuring WPCode Pro to Implement GA4 on Your WordPress Membership Website

You won't need to add any additional scripts or code. WPCode Pro will set up and push ecommerce data to the layer of data.

You won't have to set up anything using Google Tag Manager. In fact, WPCode completely eliminates the necessity to install Google Tag Manager on your WordPress website.

The only thing you'll need to tell WPCode Pro your GA4 measurement ID (in the blurred-out field below). The program will handle the rest. You must select which types of conversion events you would like to keep track of. I suggest keeping track of all available instances.

GA4 set up in WPCode

That's all there is to it. It's done. GA4 to your site for membership. Your membership sign-ups are being monitored and all the information is sent to your GA4 reports.

At the end of this blog post, I'll inform you where to find the data on your conversion to a member within GA4 reports. However, before that, I have one more stupid-easy solution for you!

Method 4 is the most flexible, cheapest way to add robust GA4 tracking for WordPress Membership Sites using MonsterInsights

One caveat to using WPCode (above) one of the disadvantages is that it will send all data directly to your GA4 account. To view the data you have, you will need to login to your GA4 account, then figure out your way around that user interface.

Initial reports have been released. The new GA4 user interface is pretty much... garbage According to the people who have used it.

This is the reason why MonsterInsights is my first choice to complete a large-scale GA4 installation. With MonsterInsights you'll have the ability to perform the following:

  • Full-scale GA4 tracking that includes E-commerce and no FOMO about not tagging or tracking things you may think of later
  • See all your data right in your WordPress Admin and you won't have to navigate the dreadful GA4 user interface to discover important insights within your information
  • Link tracking outbound You'll be aware of how many people are actually visiting the hyperlinks that you have included in your blog posts
  • Affiliate link tracking Check out what affiliate links get the most clicks
  • EU compliant included You can rest all night long without the worry of paying a huge fine from the EU for violating data privacy law
  • Logged-in user tracking Find out how your paid members are using your site differently from the public
  • Author monitoring - Report on each blog's author's performance
  • Zero-Code implementation There are no additional costs to set up your tracking code and setup of events

It's a short summary. There are many options that make MonsterInsights an easy and cost-effective choice.

The no-coding aspect will pay the dividends immediately. It doesn't require an analytics engineer or specialist to use MonsterInsights.

Join and install MonsterInsights Pro for less than Chipotle Burrito Every Month

The setup wizard also makes the installation process quick and painless.

MonsterInsights setup wizard in WordPress

The wizard is comprehensive, and very intuitive. So, I won't cover all the steps here.

But there's a complete guide to the entire installation process, should you need it. Once you've completed the addons step, make sure that you download the MonsterInsights eCommerce addon.

MonsterInsights recommended addons screen

This is really all there is to this setup.

Your WordPress Membership site should now have been set up and running GA4 tracking. MonsterInsights has created your data layer and all the GA4 events that you selected to track in the initial setup.

In the same way You don't have access on to your GA4 account to see your data. MonsterInsights displays your information right in the admin area of WordPress.

Viewing Your GA4 Data within the WordPress Administration

To get to your GA4 data to access your GA4 data in MonsterInsights You'll find a quick summary in the dashboard widget.

MonsterInsights WordPress admin data screen

And you'll see a full suite of reports by navigating through the Insights link in your left navigation.

The Viewing of Your Data in Google Analytics

Of all these options, among them, MonsterInsights can display your analytics directly in WordPress. To access the other options, you'll need to login to your Google Analytics account and navigate to the GA4 website.

This screenshot is the result of the sandbox environment I was playing around with during this tutorial. So, there's not much data to display. If you'd like to dive in GA4 and play around with it a bit, I recommend visiting the GA4 Testing Account.

Final Thoughts

Congrats! You've been granted Google Google Analytics set up on your WordPress website for membership to your business on the internet.

Now you can start to gain a greater understanding of the people who visit your site as well as how they're using your website's content, and also how successful your website is in converting users into members.

If you're looking to learn more about Google Analytics, we've published an article on how you can use this service to enhance your website for members.

It's also an unpaid course available that can be found on the Google Analytics website for those who really want to make the most from this tool.

 Do you have questions about using Google Analytics on your membership site? If so, you can leave your comment in the box below.