In this guide, we’ll discuss how to use Google Analytics to collect basic website data such as users, views, sessions, etc. This information can be very helpful when you are gathering audience information for advertising.
What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a platform that collects data for your websites and apps to create reports that provide insights into your business.
In order for Google Analytics to work, you need to first create an account, and then add a small snippet of Javascript to your site. When a user visits your website, this code snippet collects information about how that user interacted with the page. Learn more about how Google Analytics works here.
Navigating around Google Analytics
The top left corner of the interface includes a menu that will allow you to switch between all of the Analytics accounts you have permission to view.
The reports section allows you to monitor traffic in real time, investigate data, and understand your users.
The explore section gives you access to advanced techniques that go beyond the standard reports to help you uncover deeper insights about your customer’s behaviour.
Creating a Site Traffic Exploration
Log into Google Analytics and navigate to the appropriate publication.
In the left-hand navigation menu, select Explore
Create a new Blank exploration
Name the exploration, i.e. “Site Traffic”
Under Variables, click the + by Dimensions; expand the following selection and check off: Time > Month
Click Import in the upper right-hand corner
Click the + by Metrics
Page/Screen > Views
Session > Bounce Rate
Session > Engaged Sessions
User > Total Users
Click Import in the upper right-hand corner
Now you will adjust the Settings. Under Row, add the Month dimension
Under the Values section, add Total Users, Views, Engaged Sessions, and Bounce Rate
The data in your exploration will load as soon as the settings are applied.
You can adjust the date range being reported on in the Variables section.
Note: Explorations can be shared, but only the person who built the exploration can edit it. If you want to edit an existing Exploration that someone else created, click the three dots to the right and choose “Duplicate”.
Reports in Google Analytics
You can learn more about Google Analytics reports here.
As Google Analytics receives data, it appears in the Realtime report first and then flows into the other reports afterwards. While I recommend gathering basic site traffic data using Explorations, you can use the Reports section to find a variety of helpful information.
Average Engagement Time
This stat can be found in the Reports Snapshot, it measures the average engagement time per active user for the time period selected. The time period can be adjusted in the upper right corner of the screen.
Views by Page Title & Screen Class
This report shows data about the pages and screens that users visited on your website and app. This report can tell you which articles are the most read, where your readers are spending their time on your website, and more.
User Attribute Reports
This section includes information about your user base, such as language preferences and location. Here is some helpful information you can find:
Users by City
Users by Language
If you meet the required data thresholds, you will be able to see other demographic information about your users, such as gender, interests, and age.