The Basics
1. How to make a Google Analytics account
- Sign into your Google account. You will need to make one if you don't have one already.
- Go to the Google Analytics homepage.
- Click on Access Google Analytics
- Click on Sign Up
- You will be given two options, Universal Analytics or Classic Analytics. I prefer Universal Analytics because it is free and has more features.
- After choosing what type of analytics you want, enter in the rest of the required information (Account Name, Website Name, Industry Category, and your time zone). Then submit your information and agree to the Google Analytics Terms of Service.
- The next page will have a tracking code on the bottom that Google tells you to copy and paste into your website. You will need to copy this code to prepare for Part 2.
2. How to implement the tracking code into your website
- If you haven't copied the tracking code that Google Analytics gave you, then copy it now.
- Go to your website editor and paste this code between the <head> and </head> tag of every website page you would like to track. If you are using Weebly to make your website, then click here to see what steps you should take to implement this code (You still follow all of the steps up to this point when using Weebly).
- After setting up your Google Analytics code, you will need to wait 1 to 2 days for your website data to start showing up, so just be patient. Improve your website while you wait if you want.
Congratulations! You've started with your Google Analytics code. Now, let's get into the good stuff and start analyzing your data.
3. How to set up and implement your Google Webmaster's Tool
- Go to the Google Webmaster page.
- Sign in to Webmaster Tools using your Google Account information.
- Click the red "Add a Site" button and enter your website URL.
You can add as many sites to your Webmasters account as you want. You will use Google Webmaster Tools later to track your impressions on your website, check for problems with website visibility, and index your website's pages.