How to Connect Google Analytics to Your Website

Short answer

Create a free Google Analytics 4 account, add your website as a property, copy the tracking code (G- tag), and paste it into your website's <head>. Google Analytics starts collecting data within 24 hours.

Step-by-step setup

Step 1: Create a Google Analytics account

Go to analytics.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click Start measuring and follow the prompts to create an account and property.

Step 2: Set up a data stream

Choose Web as your platform, enter your website URL and name, and click Create stream. You'll get a Measurement ID (starts with G-).

Step 3: Add the tracking code to your website

If you use a website builder:

Squarespace: Settings → Developer Tools → Code Injection → paste in <head>
Wix: Dashboard → Marketing & SEO → Google Analytics → enter your G- ID
Shopify: Online Store → Themes → Edit code → paste in theme.liquid before </head>
WordPress: Use the Site Kit by Google plugin — it connects GA4, Search Console, and AdSense in one click

If you have custom HTML:

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX');
</script>

Replace G-XXXXXXXXXX with your actual Measurement ID.

What Google Analytics shows you

Users — how many people visited your site
Sessions — how many visits (one user can have multiple)
Traffic sources — Google search, social media, direct, referrals
Top pages — which pages get the most views
Location — where your visitors are from
Device — mobile vs desktop vs tablet

Verifying it works

In GA4, go to Reports → Realtime and open your website in another tab. You should see yourself appear as an active user within 30 seconds.