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Find Google Analytics Tracking ID

Depending on how you want to add Google Analytics to your WordPress site, you'll need either the Tracking ID or tracking code from Google Analytics.

1. Log into Google Analytics.
2. In the top left, select the account and property you want to track.
3. In the bottom left, click Admin.
4. In the Property column, click Tracking Info, then Tracking Code.
5. Page will show Tracking ID and Global Site Tag (gtag.js).

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Add Google Analytics with a Plugin

The Google Analytics plugin we use is Google Analytics by MonsterInsights (formerly Google Analytics for WordPress, by Yoast). It has several benefits over other ways of adding Google Analytics to your site:

• You won't lose your tracking code if you change your theme.
• You can ignore (not track) WordPress user roles you specify, which makes your stats more accurate.
• You can see your analytics right in your WordPress Dashboard.

Here's how we configure the plugin:

1. Install and activate Google Analytics by MonsterInsights. WordPress admin menu > Insights > Settings:
   1. General tab
      1. Google Authentication: Click here to authenticate manually. Manually enter your Tracking ID (UA code).
      2. Check box for Disable Dashboard (we prefer to not show Google Analytics in the WordPress Dashboard).
      3. Set Automatic Updates Settings to Minor Only.
      4. Check box for Allow Usage Tracking.
   2. Tracking tab
      1. Engagement
         1. Ignore users: select/add all except Subscriber (and Customer, if present)
2. If you're using WooCommerce, install WooCommerce Google Analytics Integration. Configure WooCommerce > Settings > Integration > Google Analytics. Set following:
   1. Google Analytics ID.
   2. Enable Universal Analytics.
   3. Enable Enhanced eCommerce.

If you'd like to use a plugin but the MonsterInsights one is too heavy/complicated for you, consider the Header and Footer plugin which allows you to add code to your WordPress header. It doesn't have the features of the MonsterInsights one, but at least it avoids the problems you'll face if you add code directly to your theme (as described in the rest of this post).

Add Google Analytics Without a Plugin

Some themes and theme frameworks have a place to add Google Analytics to the theme options/settings. Important: If you ever change themes, you must remember to add Google Analytics to your new theme. However, if you use a framework such as Genesis, you can change child themes without needing to do anything with Analytics, because the settings are in the parent theme rather than the child theme.

In Genesis, you can add the tracking code to WordPress admin menu > Genesis > Theme Settings > Header Scripts.

Another option is to put the tracking code into the functions.php file in your theme. Important: Only do this if you use a child theme. If you don't use a child theme, your functions.php file will be replaced each time you update your theme, which will erase the Analytics code from your site. Also, if you ever change themes, you must remember to add the tracking code to your new theme. Because so many people forget, I recommend using a plugin instead (see the first half of this post).

Code to add to functions.php:

<?php
add_action('wp_head', 'ow_add_google_analytics');
function ow_add_google_analytics() { ?>
 
// Paste tracking code from Google Analytics
 
<?php } ?>

You Could Keep Googling for Answers, or …

"How do I add Google Analytics to my WordPress website?" is just one of the myriad questions you’ll face as you manage your website and online marketing. Do you want to google for answers every time you encounter a question? Save yourself the hassle and headache, and simply work with a web agency that can guide you through the entire process.