Google Analytics Deadline – July 1, 2024

Starting the week of July 1, 2024 you won’t be able to access any Google Analytics 3 properties and all data will be deleted.

If you want to retain any of your old data for comparison, you will need to export it before the deadline.

What is Google Analytics?

Google Analytics is a little piece of code that you add to your website. It helps you see how many people visit your site, where they came from, and which pages they look at. This helps you figure out what’s going well on your website and what needs improvement.

Why should I care?

As a business owner, imagine driving blindfolded. You know you’re going somewhere, but how can you reach your destination safely and efficiently without seeing the road? Website stats are like headlights for your online presence, revealing crucial information to help you:

  1. Steer towards what works: Discover which pages visitors love, how they found your site, and what actions they take (like buying or signing up). This lets you double down on successful strategies and ditch ones going nowhere.
  2. Avoid roadblocks: Identify confusing sections, slow loading times, or pages where visitors bounce quickly. Fixing these issues smooths the journey for potential customers, increasing the chance they’ll reach your goals.
  3. Find new paths: See where your visitors come from (search engines, ads, social media) and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly. This helps you attract more qualified leads and convert them into customers.
  4. Fuel your growth: Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions about your website, content, and marketing campaigns. This ultimately fuels your business growth by attracting, engaging, and converting more visitors.

Think of website stats as your roadmap to success. By regularly checking them, you gain valuable insights that help you navigate the online world confidently, reach your destination (business goals), and leave your competitors in the dust.

What happened to Google Analytics 3?

Google Analytics 4 completely replaced Google Analytics 3 last year. If you wanted to continue collecting stats, you needed to switch over to Google Analytics 4.

Important Dates:

  • July of 2023 – GA3 stopped collecting data in.
  • July of 2024 – All GA data will be deleted.

Can I import GA3 data into GA4?

No. Unfortunately, because they two systems collect data differently, they are incompatible.

What’s different about Google Analytics 4?

Imagine your website as a park:

  • GA3: Counts visitors passing through the entrance gate, showing how many people visit and which pages they see. Think of it as basic visitor foot traffic.
  • GA4: Goes deeper, tracking everything visitors do in the park – rides they go on, games they play, even how long they stay in each area. This reveals not just visitor numbers, but what they engage with and enjoy.

Key differences:

  • Event-based: GA4 tracks user actions (events) like button clicks, video views, purchases, not just pageviews.
  • Privacy focus: Built with privacy in mind, using less personal data.
  • Cross-platform: Tracks users across websites and apps, giving a unified view.
  • Predictive insights: Uses AI to predict user behavior and suggest improvements.

Bottom line: GA4 offers a deeper understanding of your website visitors, helping you make better decisions for your business.

Are there alternatives to Google Analytics?

Yes. Organizations might choose an alternatives for various reasons, such as:

  • Data Retention: With the free version of Google Analytics, your data is stored for either 2 months or 14 months. If you want to compare year over year results, you would need to export your data, or use another provider.
  • Complexity: While GA4 is able to track a lot more information, it also requires additional setup and the interface is not known to be user friendly.
  • Data Privacy: Some businesses are concerned about data privacy and prefer analytics solutions that offer more control over their data.
  • Cost: While Google Analytics is free for most users, some businesses may find that alternatives offer better value for their specific requirements, especially when considering factors like customer support or ease of use.

Interested in some alternatives? Check out these articles:

What alternative you might choose will vary based on your requirements. If you have questions about what’s best for you, contact us and we can chat about your specific case.