17 Top Guides and Educational Resources

Google Analytics (GA4) is a rapidly evolving program.

twenty five New features have been released in the two years since launch.

This is a truly unique moment because so many of us start where we found it.

Whether you’re new to Google Analytics or a seasoned analyst, there’s something new to learn.

One of the best ways to learn is to get involved and share what we discover along the way.

In that spirit, I’ve collected 17 top guides and educational resources to help you learn GA4, including:

• set up.
• event.
• Report.
• train.

notes: This article focuses on resources for lead generation websites.

Tutorial on how to set up the GA4

How you set up the GA4 will depend on where you start.

If you are starting from scratch, the guide on how to migrate from the Universal Analytics (UA) version will be very confusing.

So no matter where you start, we’ll share some resources to support.

1. GA4 Beginner Setup

If you’re a beginner and don’t have a Google Tag Manager (GTM) account or Google Analytics account set up; we have you.

SEJ’s Beginner’s Guide to GA4 Setup It’s a 10-minute reading that covers the entire process.

How to create a GTM account, steps to install the tracking code on your website, and how to properly set up GA4.

The guide contains step-by-step instructions and the latest screenshots from start to finish.

For example, how to start recording basic data collection such as page views, outbound clicks, and video engagement by installing GA4 with GTM.

2. UA to GA4 migration

For those with more technical knowledge, there are Google Analytics Documentation.

This resource maps UA functions to corresponding GA4 functions.

This covers everything from planning (account structure), data collection (events), attribute setup (targets and segments), product linking (Google Ads), and reporting.

For example: to set up cross-domain measurements, you would use the GA4 admin page instead of requiring coding as we do in UA.

3. How to upgrade to GA4

Visual learners will love this 17-minute video on how to upgrade to GA4 using the setup wizard in UA.

You’ll learn how to use Google Tag Manager to add tags to your website, and how to use the Google Analytics debug view to test your setup.

Learn how to track GA4 events

After installing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website, you need to tell the software what you want to know.

You can do this by creating events.

Events are user interactions on your website. This will be the information you see in the report.

For example, the page_view event is automatically logged when a user views a page on your website.

There are many different ways to create GA4 events. There are automatic events, enhanced events, modified events, and recommended events.

Below is an implementation guide for the different methods of tracking GA4 events.

4. Enable Enhanced Events in Google Analytics 4

Because GA4 uses an event-based data collection model, some user interactions, such as first_session, are automatically collected, and others (enhanced events) can be enabled by flipping a switch.

GA4 enhanced events include page_views, scrolling (over 90% of page height), outbound clicks, site searches, view engagements, and file downloads.

SEJ’s GA4 tips to get you up and running is a quick read covering the entire process.

5. Modify events in Google Analytics 4 properties

In some cases, you need to edit automatic or enhanced events to obtain the required information.

For example, you might want to track thank you page views like in Universal Analytics to see when users fill out a contact form.

A pageview is an automatically tracked event, but each pageview does not meet our goals.

Our reporting would be more helpful if we could modify the pageview event to just thank the pageview.

Press the play button below to learn how to modify event labels in GA4 from Google Product Manager Matt Matyas.

6. How to Track Events with Google Analytics 4

For many small business owners, enhanced event tracking will cover the user interactions required to inform marketing efforts.

From time to time, you may encounter user interaction required to create a new type of event.

For example, out of the box GA4 does not track member logins as automatic or enhanced events.

However, tracking member logins is one of them Recommended activities by GA4.

The recommended event means that the user interaction requires additional context to make sense, so it is not sent automatically, but has a predefined name and parameters.

This advanced event tagging tutorial uses Google Tag Manager to create a recommended event in GA4 using tracking member “login” as an example.

Watch below to learn how to set up recommended activities in GA4.

7. Custom Events in Google Analytics 4

So far, the above activity guides have been focused on getting you started with GA4 quickly. But I encourage you to take this opportunity to expand your knowledge base.

Simo Ahava is a Google Development Specialist for Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, his GA4 Activities Implementation Guidelines Covers the structure, composition, implementation and evaluation of events.

For example, you will learn how to create custom event parameters to pass readability and read time to GA4.

This data can be used as custom metrics in reports.

GA4 report

If you’ve looked at the hood of the GA4 and thought, “No thanks!” this is the part for you.

Google Analytics 4 is dizzying with such a wide range of reporting options.

data visualization is one of my favorite pastimes, so I’m happy to share a series of video tutorials to help you get the most out of your GA4.

8. How to use Google Analytics 4

Analytics in Minutes is a YouTube channel where I get straight to the point in less than 3 minutes of videos.

The playlist “How To Use GA4” contains short videos that teach you how to get website traffic, best landing pages, funnel exploration, and important reports like goals by channel and page.

Watch this 2-minute video to learn how to pull a basic acquisition report in GA4.

9. Modify the chart visual effect

Did you know you can edit visualizations for standard reports in GA4?

you can!

Watch a quick video by former Googler Krista Seiden on how to modify the GA4 chart visuals.

10. Custom Reports in Google Analytics 4

In addition to standard reports, you can also build custom reports in Explore in GA4.

The process of creating custom reports is completely different from Universal Analytics.

If you want more control over your data or need to “drill down” and get a more detailed report, chances are you’ll find yourself exploring.

Watch this 21-minute video to learn about Exploration’s main features and how to use them.

Train others in GA4

At times, you will be responsible for getting your team (or client) up to speed on how to use GA4.

This can be really stressful, especially if you yourself aren’t entirely comfortable with the new platform.

It may be helpful to have a person guide you through the steps and troubleshoot.

Or maybe it makes the most sense to register some key members in your team to spread the load.

Check out the sections below for GA4 training and workshops from industry leaders and experts.

11. Google Analytics 4 Skillshop

price: free.

describe: GA4 The Skill Store has three separate modules covering how to set up GA4 properties and key measurement functions.

Familiarize yourself with the tour as you explore the Google Analytics demo account.

12. Google Analytics Demo Account

price: free.

describe: Ok, so not technical training or courses, but essential for learning Google Analytics.

this demo account is a fully functional analytics account. Learn by practicing with real business data.

13. Analytical Mania

price: $499 for one user.

describe: Analysis mania There is a self-paced course with hands-on modules that you will practice on the sandbox website provided by the course.

Learn how to prepare a measurement plan, migrate from Universal Analytics to GA4, set up event tracking and conversions, integrations, privacy controls, standard reports, custom reports, and more, and more coming April 2022.

14. Generous

price: $799 for one user.

describe: Learn in live workshops Generous Consultants who work with GA4 every day.

The course covers the basics of setting up properties, as well as advanced topics such as collecting custom data and integrating with Google Ads and BigQuery.

15. Krista Boiling

price: $1499 for one user.

describe: Christa Seddon A former Googler who helped build GA4 from scratch and is now teaching two courses.

One course covers advanced features such as integration and implementation with GTM or Gtag. Another course delves into reporting and analysis.

16. Anil Batra

price: $1497 for one user.

describe: optimizer Provides self-paced lectures on how to set up GA4, tracking templates, community support, and live training sessions to help you implement GA4 with confidence.

17. Brian Anderson

price: $427.

describe: Beast Analysis is a 20-step self-paced course created by my fellow SEJ authors Brian Anderson.

You’ll learn how to set up your account, create custom reports, and take advantage of Google’s machine learning capabilities.

final thoughts

These resources should help you get Google Analytics 4 running on your website and keep your data organized.

Once your data is in good shape, you can start digging into reports to help you make informed decisions about your marketing efforts.

While you can learn more about the platform, these resources will get you going in the right direction.

More resources:

Featured Image: Paul Bobetta