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What is Google Analytics? Complete Guide to Website Analysis Tool

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When running a blog or website, you often hear that visitor analysis is important. Among these, Google Analytics is the most widely used tool. What is Google Analytics?

What is Google Analytics?​

Google Analytics is a free website analysis tool provided by Google. It tracks and analyzes user behavior on websites, providing various data such as visitor count, dwell time, traffic sources, and popular pages. This allows website operators to make data-driven decisions.

Features of Google Analytics​

  • Real-time Data: You can check the number of visitors currently accessing your website and their behavior in real time.
  • Detailed Reports: Analyzes data from various aspects such as user attributes, acquisition channels, behavior patterns, and conversion rates.
  • Customization: You can create custom reports and dashboards as needed.
  • Free to Use: Small websites can use it completely free, and there's a paid version (GA360) for large enterprises.
  • Various Integrations: Integrates with other Google services such as Google Ads, Search Console, and Data Studio.

How to Use Google Analytics​

  • Set Goals: Set website goals such as sign-ups, purchase completions, and downloads to measure conversion rates.
  • Analyze Traffic Sources: Identify where visitors come from to develop marketing strategies. You can distinguish between search, SNS, direct visits, etc.
  • Identify Popular Content: Check the most viewed pages to create more similar content.
  • Improve Bounce Rate: Find pages with high bounce rates and improve content or enhance user experience.
  • Mobile vs Desktop: Check device-specific visit ratios to optimize responsive design.
  • A/B Testing: You can test which of two page versions is more effective.

Key Google Analytics Metrics​

Here are the main metrics you can check in Google Analytics.

  1. Users - Number of unique visitors who visited the website
  2. Sessions - Total number of visits (one user can visit multiple times)
  3. Pageviews - Total number of pages viewed
  4. Average Session Duration - Average time visitors spent on the site
  5. Bounce Rate - Percentage of visitors who left after viewing only one page

Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Analytics​

Advantages​

  • Free to Use: Small and medium websites can use professional analysis tools without cost burden.
  • Powerful Features: Provides world-class analysis capabilities and reports.
  • Abundant Resources: Large user base means abundant online learning materials and communities.
  • Google Ecosystem: Perfectly integrates with Google Ads, Search Console, etc.

Disadvantages​

  • Learning Curve: Can be somewhat complex and difficult for beginners.
  • Privacy Issues: Need to comply with privacy protection regulations such as GDPR.
  • Data Sampling: Large volumes of data are sampled, which may reduce accuracy.
  • Ad Blockers: Ad blocking programs also block Analytics, resulting in some data loss.

Google Analytics is an essential tool for website growth. Regularly check and analyze data to continuously improve your website. It's recommended to start by checking basic metrics and gradually learn advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

Q: Is Google Analytics installation difficult? A: You just need to insert the tracking code into your website. WordPress can be easily installed with plugins.

Q: What's the difference between GA4 and Universal Analytics? A: GA4 is the latest version that provides event-based tracking and more powerful AI analysis. Universal Analytics ended in July 2023.

Q: How often should I check the data? A: 1-2 times a week initially, and daily as the website grows. Real-time data is useful when running marketing campaigns.

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