My client is preparing to migrate their website and I need advice specific to GA4, as they are already set up with it. I want to ensure all tracking is functioning properly during the migration process. Thank you!
Here’s a GA4 checklist for a website migration, ensuring tracking is accurate:
Pre-Migration:
- Backup Existing GA4 Property: Create a backup of your current GA4 property, including all settings, events, and data. This ensures you have a reference point if anything goes wrong during the migration.
- Review Existing Events & Parameters: Make a thorough list of all events and parameters currently being tracked in GA4. Confirm that these are still relevant to the new site and how they’ll be implemented on the new platform.
- Update GA4 Property Settings: Double-check that the property settings, like website URL and data streams, accurately reflect the new site’s structure.
- Test New Website with GA4 DebugView: Before going live, use the GA4 DebugView tool to test that events are firing correctly on the new website. This allows you to identify and fix any issues in your tracking setup before they impact your data.
During Migration:
- Ensure GA4 Tag Implementation: Verify that the GA4 tag is properly installed on the new website. This is crucial for accurate data collection. If using a tag manager, ensure the GA4 tag is deployed on the new site’s container.
- Monitor Data Flow: After the migration, closely monitor your GA4 data to confirm that event volume and data quality are consistent with your expectations. Pay close attention to any significant changes or discrepancies.
Post-Migration:
- Compare Data: Once the new site is live, compare data from the previous period in your old GA4 property with the same period on the new property. This will help identify any discrepancies or gaps in tracking.
- Reconfigure Goal Definitions: If your website’s goals have changed during the migration, ensure your GA4 goal definitions are updated to reflect these changes.
- Schedule Regular Data Audits: Implement regular data audits to ensure that your GA4 tracking is functioning as expected. This could involve reviewing events, user behavior, and key metrics.
Remember, thorough planning and testing before and after the migration will greatly minimize the risk of tracking errors.