Setting up Google Analytics 4 for multiple clients is a fundamental requirement for digital marketing agencies and web consultants seeking to provide comprehensive insights and data-driven strategies. This process allows you to effectively monitor and analyze website performance, tailor strategies, and make informed decisions for each client’s unique needs.
In this guide, we will delve into the essential steps to efficiently set up Google Analytics 4 for multiple clients, ensuring data isolation, security, and the ability to extract meaningful insights for enhancing online presence and achieving business objectives. Whether you’re managing websites for diverse businesses or assisting multiple clients, this guide has you covered.
Add Multiple GA Properties under a Single Account
Managing multiple Google Analytics 4 (GA4) properties under one account can be a complex task, but it’s crucial for efficiently tracking and analyzing data for multiple websites or clients.
1. Add All Sites Under One Google Analytics 4 Account:
Google allows you to add up to 50 properties to a single GA account. This approach simplifies account management, as you can access all your properties from a centralized location. Add the new property to your Google Analytics 4 accounts.
2. Create Various Views for Each Property:
Once you’ve added multiple properties to your GA4 account, it’s essential to create separate views for each property. Views allow you to apply specific filters, goals, and settings tailored to the needs of each client or website. This ensures that data remains organized and relevant.
3. Add Every Website as a Unique Account:
If you prefer more granular control over each website or client’s data, you can opt to create separate Google Analytics 4 accounts for each. However, this approach may lead to more complex account management, as you’ll need to switch between accounts to access data.
4. Set Up Rolling Reporting:
Rolling reporting involves regularly exporting and storing GA data, ensuring that you have historical records accessible at any time. This is especially useful if you need to compare data across different time periods for various properties.
5. Add the Tracking Codes in Google Tag Manager:
To simplify the process of adding tracking codes to websites, consider using Google Tag Manager (GTM). GTM allows you to manage all your tracking codes in one place, making it easier to deploy, modify, and maintain tags for multiple properties.
6. Use a Custom Dashboard:
Custom dashboards in Google Analytics 4 provide a consolidated view of data from multiple properties. You can create custom widgets that display key metrics and insights for each client or website, enabling you to monitor performance at a glance.
7. Implement Cross-Domain Tracking:
If your clients’ websites span multiple domains or subdomains, implementing cross-domain tracking is essential. This ensures that user interactions are accurately tracked across different domains, providing a holistic view of user behavior.
8. Block Known Bots Automatically:
Google Analytics 4 can be susceptible to bot traffic, which can skew your data. To mitigate this, set up automated filters to exclude known bots from your reports. This ensures that your data remains accurate and relevant.
Advantages of setting up Google Analytics 4 for Multiple Clients
Here are some advantages of setting up Google Analytics 4 for multiple clients.
Efficient Data Management:
Managing multiple clients’ data in one Analytics account streamlines data collection and reporting, saving time and effort.
Centralized Reporting:
You can create custom dashboards and reports that provide an overview of all clients’ performance in one place, facilitating better insights.
Cost Savings:
Google Analytics 4 allows you to track up to 50 properties per account for free, reducing costs compared to maintaining separate accounts.
Cross-Client Analysis:
With a single account, it’s easier to identify trends and insights across multiple clients, helping you provide more valuable services.
Consistency:
You can apply standardized tracking configurations and goals, ensuring uniform data collection and meaningful comparisons.
Enhanced Collaboration:
Collaborate with clients more effectively by sharing insights and discussing strategies based on consolidated data.
Data Integrity:
Minimize the risk of data discrepancies and errors that can occur with multiple separate accounts.
Scalability:
As your client base grows, managing all of them from a single account becomes increasingly advantageous.
Setting up Google Analytics 4 for multiple clients in a single account offers numerous advantages, ultimately leading to improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and better-informed decision-making.
Disadvantages of setting up Google Analytics 4 for Multiple Clients
Here are some disadvantages of setting up Google Analytics 4 for multiple clients.
Data Segmentation Challenges:
Managing data for multiple clients within a single Analytics account can be cumbersome. It becomes difficult to segment and isolate client-specific data effectively.
Cross-Tracking Errors:
Different client websites may use overlapping tracking codes, leading to inaccurate data and potential conflicts.
Resource Intensiveness:
Managing multiple clients’ accounts demands more time, resources, and expertise, potentially affecting efficiency.
Performance Impact:
Large volumes of data from multiple clients can impact Analytics account performance and slow down data processing.
Client Conflicts:
Competing interests and disputes among clients using a shared Analytics account can lead to conflicts and complications.
Final Words!
Managing multiple GA properties under one account requires careful planning and organization. While adding all sites to a single GA account is a common and efficient approach, creating separate views, using Google Tag Manager, and implementing custom dashboards can further enhance your ability to track and interpret data for each client or website. Regardless of the method you choose, maintaining a structured and well-documented approach is essential for successful multi-property management in Google Analytics 4.
