GA4 Migration Checklist | Google Analytics 4 Checklist

As you start to migrate to Google Analytics 4, we wanted to create a quick and easy GA4 migration checklist. This way you can sanity-check your migration and make sure you don’t miss anything.

Already transitioned from Universal Analytics? This list will serve you as a handy reference to validate your GA4 configuration.

The checklist is divided into different stages to cover all the necessary aspects of the migration process.

GTM Settings

Configuring Google Tag Manager (GTM) before your GA4 transition is the simplest and most effective approach for the majority of users. We therefore recommend starting by configuring the following settings:

1. Add GA4 pageview as a dual tracker.
2. Add GA3 to GA4 mapping variables with ecommerce events.
3. Migrate GA3 to GA4 custom events.

GA4 Settings

When configuring GA4, ensure you have copied across all the relevant sections from GA3. It’s also important to change the data duration from 2 months to 14 months, in order to be able to accurately compare recent data with the same time period a year ago.

1. Create LIVE and DEV GA4 property.
2. Enable GA4 enhanced measurement & add site search parameters.
3. Link GA4 to GoogleAds, GSC, Big Query, Merchant Centre.
4. Copy exclude referrals from GA3 to GA4.
5. Change session interactions from 10sec to 30sec.
6. Change data duration from 2 months to 14 months.
7. Copy IP excludes from GA3 to GA4.
8. Copy URL goals to GA3 using modified events.
9. Add mailto and tap-2-call as modified event goals.
10. Mark GA4 events as conversions.
11. Copy 20 custom dimensions to 25 custom definitions.
12. Copy 20 custom metrics to 25 custom metrics.
13. Enable predictive audiences & Google signals.

Google Ads & Google Optimise

Most users will already be familiar with Google Ads and it’s important to import your advert transactions to GA4. Google Optimise allows you to test variants of web pages in order to confirm which converts the best and is particularly useful for A/B testing.

1. Update Google Ads & Google Optimise to import GA4 transactions and pause GA3 importing.

Reporting

Importing reports from Google Analytics is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of your analytics data. By migrating your reports, you ensure continuity in tracking and measurement, ensuring there are no gaps or discrepancies. This enables you to make informed decisions based on a holistic view of your website or app’s metrics.

1. Compare daily Users, Sessions, Pageviews, Transactions and Revenue from GA3 vs GA4.
2. Clone existing DataStudio reports and change the data source from GA3 to GA4.
3. Create DS report filters to replicate GA3 profile views.
4. Set-up the Report Library.

Optional

Depending on which software you have integrated into Google Analytics, the following steps may also be necessary. The Safari browser blocks tracking of some of the GA4 data and to resolve this issue, we recommend setting up GTM server-side.

1. Link with Firebase (if you use Firebase).
2. Create an App+Web GTM account (if one does not exist).
3. Add App+Web GA4 data stream.
4. GTM clean-up & setting-up GTM on LIVE vs DEV.
5. Add Inline dataLayer values that don’t exist within GA3 enhanced ecommerce dataLayer. (add_to_wishlist, view_cart, begin_checkout, add_shipping_info, add_payment_info).
6. Set up GTM server-side to allow for profile filter views
   (aka sub-properties).

Use an automatic GA4 migration tool

If you want to quickly get set up with GA4, you may want to consider using a GA4 migrating tool. Then you can apply your own bespoke solution.

Need help?

If you’re struggling to migrate to Google Analytics 4, as the leading UK Google Analytics agency we can help. We can provide free consultation, let you know how long it will take to migrate and set up a bespoke Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager implementation to suit your needs. We can also audit your GA4 configuration to be sure your data is accurate.

Google’s GA4 Migration Checklist

Google has their own GA4 migration checklist, which is worth going through and ticking off too. But we didn’t think that it included a lot of important information. Henceforth we have created the above checklist. Below is an image of Google’s GA4 migration checklist.

Other Helpful GA4 Migration Resources

As well as creating our GA4 migration checklist, we’ve produced a few different resources on GA4. We have a GA4 migration calculator, which will tell you how long it will take to complete your migration to GA4.

Also, our free webinars are on the first Tuesday of each month but are also recorded for our YouTube channel.

If you’d like to attend our webinars and get the chance to ask us questions, join the Meetup group to stay informed.

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Phil Pearce

Director of Analytics & Founder at MeasureMinds

Phil is an analytics expert, author, and web analyst. He's also the Analytics Director & Founder of Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads and CRO agency, MeasureMinds Group. Over the past 20+ years, Phil has helped clients improve their analytics and search engine marketing through the introduction of new tools and disruptive techniques.

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