How to Set Up Google Analytics on WordPress

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) lets you track who visits your site, where they come from, what content they read, and how they convert. Setting it up on WordPress takes less than 15 minutes.

Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account

Go to analytics.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click Start measuring, enter an account name (your business name), and click Next. Create a property with your website name, set your reporting timezone and currency, then click Next. Choose your industry category and business size, then click Create.

Step 2: Set Up a Data Stream

In GA4, select Web as your platform. Enter your website URL and stream name. Click Create stream. You'll see your Measurement ID (format: G-XXXXXXXXXX) — keep this handy.

Step 3: Install via Site Kit (Recommended)

Site Kit by Google is the official WordPress plugin. Install it from Plugins → Add New, search "Site Kit by Google," install and activate. Follow the setup wizard to connect your Google account and authorize access. Site Kit automatically places the GA4 tag on every page.

Step 4: Manual Installation Alternative

If you prefer not to use Site Kit, install the Insert Headers and Footers plugin. In GA4, go to Admin → Data Streams → your stream → View tag instructions → Install manually. Copy the gtag.js code snippet and paste it into the plugin's header section.

Step 5: Verify Tracking Is Working

In GA4, navigate to Reports → Realtime. Open your website in another browser tab and navigate a few pages. You should see active users appearing in the Realtime report within 30 seconds.

Key Metrics to Monitor

Sessions: Total visits to your site
Engagement rate: Percentage of sessions with meaningful interaction
Top pages: Your most visited content
Traffic sources: Where visitors come from (organic, social, direct)
Conversions: Form submissions, purchases, or goals you define

SiteICO's dashboard shows server-side performance metrics alongside your content analytics — giving you a complete picture of both technical and content health.

How to Set Up Google Analytics on WordPress