Creative news fork

How do I Setup GA4 for WordPress (Free and Paid) Methods

Sep 22, 2023

Reader Disclosure

If you've been wondering about how to install GA4 for WordPress on your online business website, then you're in the right spot. In this thorough guide, growth manager Curt Noble shows you how to get it done quickly, easily even free.

Contents          Toggle

This isn't the typical GA4 blog or tutorial. We won't spend a a lot of time explaining how GA4 is, and the reasons it's a pain.

I'd like to tell you install GA4 as well as provide all the details you require to get it done so that you can do it as fast as you can.

There's been plenty written on the subject of moving to Universal Analytics (UA) to GA4. This is why, in this blog I'll show you the steps to perform a fresh install of GA4 on your website commercial website.

If you're only getting started with WordPress and you're looking to monitor your visitors' and measure performance, bookmark this article.

click save button

Every Website Has Different GA4 Tracking Needs

Every website has unique need for data tracking. And it's unreasonable to cover all GA4 tracking scenario. Therefore, I'm planning to stay with the basics as much as possible.

This means that if you want to know how many tacos your customers have eaten before signing to sign up for the Taco Tuesday Premium Recipe Membership... you're at the wrong spot.

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

But stick around, because it's necessary to begin anyway. Your first task is to set up your GA4 account using Google and set up your data streaming.

Doesn't sound like fun, does it?

Is the best Membership plugin When it Comes to GA4 reporting

Woman doing GA4 reporting

Each of the techniques described in this guide work on any WordPress website. Let's be honest. Certain WordPress themes and plugins perform better when using GA4. This is especially the case with membership sites.

The major advantage of for the integration GA4 GA4 is its versatility in terms of hooks available and API access. It's also the easiest membership plugin to incorporate with.

This means that all the important Google Analytics plugins have integrated with . You'll see throughout this guide how these integrations make your life simpler.

Therefore, let me straight up say it. If you don't have GA4 , you're probably going to require the help of a Google Analytics specialist to completely setup GA4 on your WordPress website for membership.

cta character

Start today!

Start getting paid for the content you create.

How to Set Up Google Analytics GA4 on Your WordPress Member Site

Follow these steps for how to set up GA4 on WordPress

This article outlines four distinct methods for setting up GA4 in WordPressfor your membership site or business online. These methods range anywhere between easyto no cost with the easymethod with a minor extra cost.

I'm confident that one of these four methods is the best option for your particular situation. The four methods all have the same starting point. It's important to begin there before doing anything else.

Get Google Analytics Account

If you're not already in the process of signing up to any Google products (like Gmail or Google Drive) or want to use a separate account for Google Analytics, you'll first be required to set up a Google account.

If you're looking to create an account You can register for one on Google Analytics. Google Analytics webpage.

Create a New GA4 Property

Once you've registered for the Google Analytics account and logging in, you'll need to set up your GA4 account.

Since one Google Analytics account can be utilized to analyze and monitor different websites, you are able to make multiple properties on this page for keeping the data distinct.

While you're logged into Google Analytics, click on the Admin option in the lower left corner. Click the button make a new property..

Create Property in Google Analytics.

In the Create Property screen on the Create Property screen, all you have to do is provide some the basic information concerning your site. Under the Business Objectives options you can choose multiple goals.

These settings decide which reports will be available out of the box in GA4. Do not worry about it. You can always customize your GA4 reports using the GUI later.

Add property details in Google Analytics.

When you get to your Data Collection options, choose Webfrom the choices. Here you can set up the GA4 Data stream.

The Data Stream is where GA4 collects all the events that happen on your website.

You must enter your website's URL. give your data stream a name. I recommend including "GA4" in the name of your stream. This helps you recognize it as the GA4 data stream in the future in this article.

Configuring GA4 Events to be Collecting on WordPress

GA4 collects what are called default events. It is your choice to decide what events are most important to you.

I recommend selecting the enhanced measurement option. By doing this, GA4 is told GA4 to record a handful of other events of a standard nature, including scroll depth, clicks outbound, web search, and many others.

If you select the gear icon to the left, you will be able to select and choose which events you want to monitor. The best option is to keep them all in check.

Now, you might find a huge omission - there's no buy event on the schedule! Weird, right?

Further details on that to come.

Set up data stream in Google Analytics.

Step One is Complete!

It wasn't that difficult wasn't it?

You now have now a fully operational GA4 Web property and data stream. But it's just sitting there waiting for the data to come in (kind as my son in the dining room with a bowl waiting for somebody to pour out the Cap'n Crunch).

Next let's examine four methods to put cereal in the bowl. Errr... I mean get the GA4 events into the data stream.

Making GA4 available to any WordPress site

It's all set. You've got your GA4 data stream in place and is ready to be able to get web-based events. You'll need to add some code to WordPress to allow data into the stream.

As I said earlier, there are numerous methods to accomplish this. It's up to you to figure out which one is most suitable for you based the circumstances.

Below are a few points to consider when working out what is the optimal way to incorporate GA4 on your WordPress site:

  • How comfortable are you analyzing data within the GA4 report interface?
  • Do you sell classes, memberships or downloads via your website?
  • Are you aware of Google Tag Manager?
  • Do you also have paid ads or social traffic you need to track?
  • Are you a member of an affiliate program? Do you have links you wish to promote?

There are probably more things to think about here. This is just a great list to start with. In every one of these four approaches below, I'll also include situations that illustrate when each method could be suitable.

Now let's move on!

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

This method can be totally free. But it may not be the right choice for your WordPress website. This option is suitable for WordPress membership websites that do not sell products.

The reason for this is Google Site Kit has a major limitation when it comes to tracking of e-commerce - which is that it doesn't have the capability.

And it can only configure Google applications and tools.

Think you might want to monitor affiliate links or traffic from social networks like Facebook and Twitter (X) sometime in the near future? It's best to avoid this no-cost technique.

When you decide to scale, this method will leave you too limited. This being said Here are the steps.

Install the Google Site Kit plugin

Install Google Site Kit plugin.

On to the Add Plugins Page, you need to look up the keyword Site Kit on Google. After that, install and allow the plugin to be activated.

Add plugins in WordPress.

When the plugin is enabled it is time to start the configuration process. The first step requires you to sign in to the same Google account that you used to create the GA4 property in the past.

Connect your GA4 data stream to WordPress with Google Site Kit

I mentioned earlier that Site Kit can be used Site Kit to connect to various other Google tools and services. This is however, an option.

Right now, let's just join Google Analytics by selecting it from the options to start the setup.

Next you'll need to select your property, account, and data stream. Make sure to select the GA4 data stream you've already set up.

You could also permit Google Site Kit to create an GA4 Data stream to you, if you do not have one already. The options are quite limited. This is why I recommend making the data stream separate.

Be sure to enable the option to place the Google Analytics 4 Code on your site. This is the way GA4 will collect analytics events on your WordPress site.

It's that simple. Google Analytics 4 has been installed on your WordPress site.

There is a small delay in data collection. Therefore, you won't be able to see any data on your GA4 report for some time.

Verify the fact that GA4 data is flowing

It is possible to check sure your data is moving by viewing the Real Time report in GA4.

Return into your Google Analytics account, and choose Reportson the left navigation menu. Click Real Time.

If you do not see any data here there's a chance that no one is currently browsing your website. That's okay. Just go to your website in another browser tab.

In a short time, you will see the user session appear in the real time reports.

Method 2 2. Add GA4 on WordPress membership site with Google Tag Manager for free (kind of)

This next method for adding GA4 to WordPress makes use of the cost-free Google Tag Manager (GTM) solution.

While GTM is free however, it might need the assistance of an expert in analytics to finish the set-up. This method is suitable for those who have prior experiences with GTM.

GTM permits you to set your own events. With GA4, you'll need to create a variety of events within Tag Manager. Therefore, put on your seat belts.

To implement ecommerce tracking using GTM on a WordPress membership site, you'll probably need some additional coding. Particularly, you'll need the script to push your transaction data into Google Analytics' data layer. Google Analytics data layer.

Understanding the Layer of Data Layer

The data layer is a central notion when you work together with GTM as well as Google Analytics (GA4). It functions as an intermediary between your site and GTM.

And it allows you to send custom data to GA4, Google Ads, and other third-party services.

The primary function for the layer's data is to separate the information from the presentation layer (your information). Instead of hardcoding data directly into tags or scripts on your website, you can transfer the data to the layer of data.

Once it is there, GTM can read the data and use it to populate triggers, tags, and variables.

What a Data Layer Does to Make Your Life Easier

  • FlexibilityIt is possible to add, modify, or remove data without changing the site's code. This can be particularly useful to marketers who might not have access directly to a site's source code.
  • Consistency - By centralizing the data into one central location it ensures consistent information collection across different tools and platforms.
  • Advanced Tracking The data layer allows for more advanced tracking applications, for example the capture of data from dynamic web pages or even single-page apps.
  • Security - By controlling which data is entered to the data layer, and how that data is accessible, you can make sure that information you aren't knowingly transmitted to third-party software.

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

Install an Google Tag Manager Plugin

There are a number of plugins which allow you to integrate GTM for your WordPress site. As there's a common GTM implementation the majority of them perform the same function.

In the end, the Site Kit by Google plugin can also install an GTM container for you!

Click on METHOD 1 for instructions on how to install this Google Site Kit plugin. Then just choose the options to add Google Tag Manager.

Configuring the GA4 Tag in Google Tag Manager

After having GTM installed and configured You're now ready to deploy your first tag!

Note: Google recently migrated the older GA4 Configuration Tag to the worldwide Google Tag. Therefore, if you've come across different tutorials that mentioned a GA4 Configuration tag within GTM, it's not there any more.

When you login onto GTM, once you have logged into your GTM workspace and click on the Add Tag button, you can add an additional tag. Then give the tag a name in the lower left.

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

Next, click into then the Tag Configuration section to create a new tag type. You'll see an option for Google Analytics. And on the next screen you'll see several Google Analytics choices. You must select Google Tag here.

" decoding="async" width="1024" height="453" src="" alt="Google Analytics Tag Configuration Area.">

The GA4 events will be configured later. The first step is to make sure that Google Analytics to start. Google Analytics code firing.

After you've added the correct Google Tag, you'll be required to enter the Google Analytics Measurement ID.

The tag ID determines what Google determines where it should transmit data from your website. Here is how you can find the GA4 measurement ID.

The next step is to notify Google Tag Manager where you wish this tag to appear on your WordPress website. The GTM container appears on each page of your site. This means that you could select to include your GA4 tag on each webpage as well.

In the Triggering panel select the option Initiation - all pages.

Publishing Your GA4 Tag to your WordPress Membership Website

The only thing you need to be done is backup your tag configuration and then publish your changes in your container.

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

Today, GA4 is collecting the standard event information on your site.

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

The events that you set up previously in the GA4 data stream options are now being monitored.

However, there's still an absence of tracking for ecommerce. We'll take care of this...

How to Track Your Membership sales revenue in GA4

Do you recall all the discussion regarding the data layer above? To track member sales or any other information, you must push that data into the data layer.

This requires some extra programming. You'll also need to refer to this document. Google Documentation.

There are two parts to this system.

The first step is to send the transaction information into your data layer following a successful sale. Here's a sample code that will trigger the "purchase" instance:

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 ] );

The second step is create an event tag inside GTM for collecting and sending the transaction data in GA4 reports. The tags that are configured within GTM is as follows:

  • Create a tag using the tag's type of 'GA4 Event'.
  • In the name of the event you must enter "purchase".
  • The event's parameters are mapped as the ones before:
  • currency to urrency|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
  • Set a trigger for this tag to trigger the page that confirms an order, or after a successful transaction.

Doesn't there have to be a simpler way?

Making use of GTM to include GA4 tracking on the WordPress site is quite an undertaking.

The approach I've outlined above will give you the basics of analysis tracking as well as the ecommerce revenue reporting.

However, you'll need to go and configure every other data point that needs to be tracked. And then consider the risk of what could happen if Google "flips your script" over you.

For example, the migration of GA3 (Universal Analytics) to GA4 caused some confusion for owners of websites and marketing.

If you're managing the complete tracking strategy with GTM You're required to pay close attention to changes. For many businesses, this is a full time post.

So, is there an easier solution? It is indeed. There are actually two more methods to accomplish this with premium plugins.

How to Save Money and Time to set up GA4 on WordPress Membership Sites and Online Business

Phew! We made it through the hard portion. If you've read through the other two methods for setting up GA4 on WordPress it's possible you're thinking this is above your salary. It's not. The two choices below can be described as "stupid-easy".

I've spent over 10 years working on web analytics systems.

I've been involved in implementations that range from free Google Analytics Legacy versions, to more sophisticated solutions such as Web Trends and Omniture SiteCatalyst (both prior to and following an acquisition by Adobe acquisition).

And I've even collaborated with data platform for customers solutions like Tealium to deploy analytics code. I worked using data layers long before they became cool.

You can therefore trust me when I say, the following two plugins provide the best method to install GA4 for WordPress.

METHOD #3: The "almost cost-free" way to add GA4 to WordPress by using WPCode Pro

When I was in college I had a discount card called the "Starving Student Card." It gave me sweet discounts for Big Juan Burritos when I went to Taco Time. And I think there also were discounts on other items. It's just not that important.

Point is, I should call this"Starting Student" method "Starving Student" method to integrate GA4 into your site for membership.

It's a budget-friendly option, even for a college student on a limited budget. This is how:

Register for and install WPCode Pro

There's a no-cost version too, which is called WPCode Lite. However, since you're using GA4 on a membership site and you'll require certain key options that only come with premium.

Particularly, you'll require Conversion Pixels and Advanced eCommerce Locationsfeatures.

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

There are many millions of WordPress websites that use WPCode. At 4.9 stars, it's quite probably the most highly rated plugin available.

As a first step, go register for WPCode Pro. (If you're only looking to put it on a single website, then the Basic Plan will give you everything you require for GA4.)

Next, follow the instructions to add and enable the plugin for your WordPress website. WPCode Pro is integrated with, and will auto-detect your plugin. This can be a huge time saver.

Configuring WPCode Pro to implement GA4 on Your WordPress Membership Site

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

It's also not necessary to set up anything using Google Tag Manager. In actual fact, WPCode completely eliminates the necessity to install Google Tag Manager on your WordPress website.

The only thing you'll need to do is tell WPCode Pro your GA4 measurement ID (in the blurred-out field below). It will take care of all the rest. Be sure to select which conversion events you want to track. I would recommend keeping track of all open occasions.

That's all there is to it. Then you can add GA4 on your membership website. Your membership sign-ups are being tracked, and data is sent to the GA4 report.

After this article, I'll tell how to locate your membership conversion data in GA4 reports. First, let me offer another simple and stupid solution for those of you who are looking for a solution!

Method 4 The most efficient, cheapest way to add robust GA4 tracking capabilities to WordPress Membership sites is using MonsterInsights

One caveat to using WPCode (above) has to do with the fact that it sends all the data to the GA4 account. To view the data you have, you will need to login to your GA4 account, and then find your way around that user interface.

And initial reports are in. The brand new GA4 user interface looks very well... garbage as per users.

This is the reason why MonsterInsights is my preferred solution for a full-scale, complete GA4 install. With MonsterInsights you'll be able do the following, easily:

  • Fully-scale GA4 tracking and E-commerce and no FOMO about the fact that you are not tracking or tag things you may think of in the future.
  • Access all of your data right in your WordPress Admin This means you don't have to struggle with the horrible GA4 user interface to discover critical insights in your data
  • Link tracking outbound It will be clear how many people are actually using the links that you have included in your blog content
  • Affiliate link tracking Check out which affiliate link is getting the highest number of clicks
  • EU conformance included You can rest in the evening without fear of being fined a significant amount from the EU in case you violate data privacy legislation
  • Logged-in tracking of users Examine how your paying members are using your site differently than the general public
  • Author tracking Track each blog's performance by the author
  • Zero-Code Implementation There are no additional costs to set up your tracking code and event setup

That's just a quick overview. There are a myriad of features that make it an easy to afford.

The no-coding aspect will pay its dividends instantly. It doesn't require an engineer in analytics or a specialist with MonsterInsights.

Sign Up and Install MonsterInsights Pro for less than a Chipotle Burrito Every Month

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

The wizard is comprehensive and extremely easy to use. Therefore, I will not cover each step.

However, there's an complete step-by-step guide to the entire procedure of setting up, in case you're in need of it. If you're at the step to add-ons, be sure you install the MonsterInsights ecommerce addon.

It's all there really is to the setup.

Your WordPress Membership website should be fully set up and running with GA4 tracking. MonsterInsights has built the data layer for you and of the GA4 events you chose to track in the initial setup.

As I mentioned above You don't have access on to your GA4 account to access the data. MonsterInsights displays your information right within the admin section of WordPress.

Viewing Your GA4 Data in the WordPress Admin

In order to access your GA4 data to access your GA4 data in MonsterInsights, you'll see an overview of the data in the widget on your dashboard.

In addition, you can access the complete suite of reports by navigating to the Insights link on your left navigation.

Viewing Your Data in Google Analytics

Out of all the options Of all these options, among them, MonsterInsights will display your analytics directly in WordPress. For the other options, you'll have to sign in to the Google Analytics account and navigate to the GA4 website.

The image is a result of the sandbox environment I played around in in this guide. There's much data to display. If you're looking to jump in GA4 and explore a bit, I recommend using the GA4 test account.

Final thoughts

Congrats! You've achieved Google Google Analytics set up on your WordPress website for membership to your online business.

Now you can start to get a better understanding of your visitors and how they're engaging with the content you provide, and the effectiveness of your website to convert visitors to members.

If you're looking to learn more details regarding Google Analytics, we've published an article on how to use the service to optimize your website for members.

There's also an unpaid course available on Google Analytics. Google Analytics website for people who want to maximize the benefits of this service.

 Do you have questions concerning the use of Google Analytics on your membership site? If so please, leave a comment in the box below.