The way we do business is changing. Five years ago no one would have cared if you didn’t have a website, but today, a good website not only helps set you apart; it also helps creates more business.

What do you need to be successful after you’ve made your website? A Google Analytics account, of course.

By the end of this Inman article, we hope you will learn be able to set up, install and configure your GA account.

The World Wide Web isn’t scary. In fact, the way you approach it shouldn’t change. Approach it like any other obstacle you’re trying to overcome because the best way to succeed on the Web is to understand what is working and what is not and you can do that with good old-fashioned trial and error.

But if you want to increase the number of leads your site generates then you should begin to study your website analytics — this means: who is visiting your website, where are they coming from, and what they do once they arrive.

Why Google?

Google said it best:

“Whether you want to boost sales, find more visitors or improve your mobile app, Google Analytics has the answers and insights you need to improve your business.”

It’s always nice to have a direction and besides, aren’t you curious if all that posting to Facebook and Twitter paid off?

Your first step is making sure you don’t already have a GA account 

If you’re starting from scratch

Got to the Google Analytics home page and sign up. It’s really easy.

After you fill out the form, you will get your tracking ID.

Filling out the form

Google will ask you for four things: Account name, website name, website URL, industry category and reporting time zone.

Your tracking code

Filling out those four components is the easy part. Next you need to get your tracking code.

Once you have it, copy and paste it just before the </head> section on every page of your website.

This part can get tricky.

Anyone with basic HTML knowledge can do this. Most WordPress themes have a section dedicated to copying and pasting the code, too.

But if this all sounds like gibberish and you don’t have a clue what we’re talking about, we recommend giving the code and access to your website to a trusted friend who knows HTML.

If someone else is in charge of your website, you should get in touch with them immediately and ask for help. Tell them you want to install Google Analytics and give them the code. This may also be a good time to get your administrator credentials as well.

Your last and final step

The next thing you will want to do is prevent GA from recognizing any traffic to your website from your home or office.

To do this, click on Filters, new filters and put in the required information.

To look up your IP address, simply Google “What is my IP address?” and it will pop right up.

If you care to stay updated with the latest Google Analytics features, make sure to follow GA’s YouTube Channel, as well as their blog.