This article outlines how I used Google Analytics (GA) to evaluate and improve my portfolio. It provides an overview of key metrics and strategies to assess the impact of updates, along with real-world examples.
What is Google Analytics and how are we using it? Google Analytics is a web tracking tool that gives website owners the scoop on how people use their websites. It keeps tabs on stuff like how many people visit, how long they stick around, and who they are. By dishing out the details on user behavior and which content/page is a hit, Google Analytics can help you make smarter choices to jazz up your portfolio. It's free to use and lets you customize what you want to see, so you can zero in on what matters most for your site's success.
The cool part? If you're using a low-code platform like Webflow, setting up Google Analytics is a breeze. All you need is your GA measurement ID, and boom - you're in business.
Just plug that ID into Webflow, and it automatically sorts out all the URLs and page titles for you. No fuss, no muss. What is measurement ID: It’s like your website's special code for Google Analytics. When you're setting up GA4, Google hands you this ID, and it's your ticket to start collecting all those juicy insights about your visitors.
GA account set-up overview:
Screenshot of my Goggle analytics account Set-up information.
If you use Webflow, here is an overview:
Set up a GA account to get measurement ID.
Link your Webflow project to your GA. Go to project> settings> integrations.
Add measurement ID and save.
Remember, it might take up to 48 hours for data to appear in GA.
Once you've integrated your Google Analytics account with your website, you're ready to dive into the data. This guide outlines five essential metrics I use to monitor my portfolio, that help me understand user behavior, and boost engagement meaningfully.