Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics are two tools that are commonly used by website owners and digital marketers to track website data. While these tools are often mentioned in the same breath, they actually serve different purposes and are used in different ways.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at Google Tag Manager vs Google Analytics and how they can work together to help you get the most out of your website.
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Google Tag Manager vs Google Analytics
Although both Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics are critical for tracking website data, they serve distinct purposes and come with unique benefits. While Google Tag Manager is a tag management system that simplifies the process of managing tags on your website without requiring you to make code modifications, Google Analytics provides in-depth analytics and insights into your website’s performance and user behavior. Therefore, rather than deciding which tool is superior, the key is to determine which one best meets your specific needs. By comprehending the differences between Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics, you can make an informed decision about which tool to use for your website and digital marketing strategies.
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Read On →What is Google Tag Manager Used For?
Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a tag management system that allows you to add and manage tags on your website. Tags are snippets of code that track numerous actions on your website, such as clicks, form submissions, and page views. Google Tag Manager lets you easily add and manage tags from a variety of tools, such as Google Analytics, AdWords, Bing, Facebook and more. This makes it simple to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your website and advertising campaigns.
How to Install Google Tag Manager
The process of installing GTM is relatively simple. Follow the steps below to sign up and install it on your website.
Step 1: Create a Google Tag Manager Account
To begin, visit Google Tag Manager’s website and register for a free account. After you’ve completed the registration process, you’ll be directed to the GTM dashboard. While in the dashboard, you will be able to create your account, container/workspace and complete your website setup.
Step 2: How to add Google Tag Manager code to Your Website
In order to incorporate the GTM code into your website, you must insert the code snippet into the header and body section of your website’s HTML code. You can accomplish this task effortlessly by either including the code in your template files or installing the WPCode plugin. By using the WPCode plugin, you can gain access to insert the code into the header and body of your website via the WordPress admin panel.
Step 3: Add Your Tags in GTM and Publish Your Tags
After successfully incorporating the GTM code into your website, you can start adding tags. To accomplish this task, navigate to the left-hand menu and select the “Tags” option, then click on the “New” button. Then choose the tag type you want to create and proceed with the prompts to set it up.
Once you’ve added your tag, you must publish the changes to make them active on your website, otherwise the tags are simply saved in your dashboard. To do so, choose the “Submit” button located in the top-right corner of the GTM dashboard, and follow the instructions to publish your modifications.
How Google Analytics Works
Google Analytics, on the other hand, is a web analytics tool that allows you to monitor metrics such as page views, bounce rates, time spent on the website, and more. You can also set up goals and track conversions to measure the success of your website and online campaigns. Google Analytics provides insight into how your website is being used, where it gets traffic, what pages are most popular, and how people interact with your website. Follow the steps below on Google Analytics account creation.
How to Install Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
Step 1: Create a Google Analytics 4 Property
Create a Google Analytics 4 property by logging into your Google Analytics account and navigating to the Admin section. Select “Create Property” under the “Account” column and follow the prompts to create your new property. Upon creating your new property, you will receive a Measurement ID that is unique to your property. This Measurement ID is essential for linking your website to Google Analytics 4.
Step 2: Install the Google Analytics 4 Tag on Your Website
Incorporating the GA4 code is necessary for every page of your website, and it should be added to the header section. You can manually achieve this by including the code in the header.php template file. Alternatively, if you have already set up GTM or followed the steps provided earlier on how to install GTM, you can effortlessly add Google Analytics using Google Tag Manager.
Step 3: Publish the Tag and Verify the Installation
Once you have completed the aforementioned steps, save your new tag configuration by clicking on the “Save” button. Then, publish your tag to your website by selecting the “Submit” button. After publishing the tag, return to Google Analytics 4 and go to the “Data Streams” section. Here, you should be able to see your website’s data stream. Confirm that Google Analytics 4 is collecting your website’s data by navigating to the “Real-time” section and verifying that your website’s data is being recorded. A newly created GA4 account may take around 30 minutes to start tracking data.
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Google Analytics with Google Tag Manager
In conclusion, while Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics are both important tools for tracking website data, they serve different purposes.
By integrating these tools, you can achieve a more holistic comprehension of your website’s performance and make more knowledgeable choices about your digital marketing strategies.
Our team of experts is here to assist you and provide the guidance you need to boost your online presence. Get in touch with us today to learn more!
