Google Analytics is the most widely used web analytics software today. It's free, it's easy to implement and it's a powerful way to measure your website's performance against its objectives. Recently, Google announced the new Google Analytics asynchronous tracking snippet, which helps solve two major issues its users have been facing: data accuracy and load time. Today, we'll explore the benefits of the new Google Analytics asynchronous tracking snippet. And as a bonus, I'll also show you how to add it to your Squarespace blog or website.
As I mentioned before, Google Analytics is one of the greatest things since sliced bread when it comes to measuring online objectives. But all this time you've been using the tool to drive awesome insights, there have been two minor issues under the surface:
- Data Accuracy - Experts will tell you that you'll never have 100% data accuracy with a web analytics tool. Sometimes visitors will have their Javascript disabled. Sometimes your visitors will move off of your web page before the Google Analytics tracking code actually has a chance to fire. Web analytics enthusiasts accept this fact and move on with what's available.
- Load Time - It's important to have a website that loads in as little time as possible. Many visitors will leave after waiting only seconds if a site is unresponsive. And Google's Matt Cutts himself expanded upon the search engine's decision to incorporate site speed into their search algorithms. Extra pieces of code like the Google Analytics tracking code can start to affect the load time of your site.
Enter Google Analytics asynchronous tracking. The new tracking snippet is placed in a different spot on your website and now loads much faster, improving both your data accuracy and your website's load time.
Installing Asynchronous Google Analytics on Your Squarespace Site
It's easy to convert to the new tracking code if you're on the Squarespace web publishing platform. Follow these simple steps:
- Locate and delete your traditional Google Analytics tracking code from your site. You may want to copy this to a text file for backup purposes.
- Select the Code Injection tab within your Squarespace Website Settings in the Website Management interface
- Enter the new Google Analytics asynchronous tracking snippet within the Extra Header Code editor. Be sure to enter your specific Google tracking ID (e.g., 'UA-XXXXX-X').
- Click Update Information. You're done. Easy, huh?
(Note: Most custom tracking works the same. Check the new Usage Guide for more details.)
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What do you think of the new Google Analytics tracking snippet? If you're using it already, are you seeing more traffic? Better load times? If you've grown skeptical of the free web analytics tool, does asynchronous tracking help improve your opinion of Google Analytics? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.