Set up Google Analytics

How to Set Up Google Analytics and Essential Tools for Your New Blog in 2025

Starting a new blog in 2025? Setting up the right tools from day one can help you track traffic, grow your audience, and monetize your content effectively. In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up Google Analytics and other essential tools step by step—even if you’re a beginner.

✅ 1. Create a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Account

Google Analytics is the most popular tool to track user behavior, traffic sources, and site performance.

Steps to Set Up GA4:

  1. Go to analytics.google.com.
  2. Sign in using your Google account.
  3. Click on “Start Measuring” and create an account (you can name it after your blog).
  4. Create a new GA4 Property:
    • Enter your blog name.
    • Select your time zone and currency.
  5. Click Next, then choose your industry category and business size.
  6. Click Create, and accept the terms.
  7. Select Web as the data stream.
  8. Enter your blog URL and name the stream (e.g., TechTips Blog).
  9. Google will provide a Measurement ID (e.g., G-XXXXXXX).

✅ 2. Install Google Analytics Code on Your Blog

Depending on your platform:

WordPress Users:
Install the Site Kit by Google plugin.

  • Go to Plugins > Add New
  • Search for Site Kit by Google
  • Install and activate
  • Connect your Google account and link Google Analytics

Manual Method (for custom blogs):
Copy the GA code and paste it in the <head> section of your site’s HTML.

✅ 3. Set Up Google Search Console

Search Console lets you track your blog’s search performance, index status, and fix SEO issues.

Steps:

  1. Visit search.google.com/search-console.
  2. Click Add Property.
  3. Choose URL prefix and enter your full blog URL.
  4. Choose a verification method:
    • If you’ve set up GA already, choose Google Analytics (easy).
    • Or download and upload an HTML verification file.
  5. Click Verify.

Once verified, you’ll start seeing search insights within a few days.

✅ 4. Submit Your Sitemap

Sitemaps help Google index your content faster.

WordPress Users:
Use plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
Your sitemap will be available at:
https://yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml

Go to Search Console > Sitemaps
Paste the sitemap URL and click Submit

✅ 5. Set Up Google Tag Manager (Optional but Recommended)

Google Tag Manager allows you to manage all tracking codes (e.g., analytics, Facebook Pixel) in one place.

Steps:

  1. Go to tagmanager.google.com
  2. Create a new account and container (name it after your blog).
  3. Choose Web as the target platform.
  4. You’ll receive two code snippets.
  5. Paste the first code in the <head> and the second after the <body> tag on your website.

✅ 6. Install an SEO Plugin

SEO plugins help you optimize titles, meta descriptions, sitemaps, and more.

Recommended plugins:

  • Yoast SEO
  • Rank Math SEO
  • All in One SEO Pack

These plugins are free and offer real-time content analysis for better search visibility.

✅ 7. Connect Google Site Kit (All-in-One for WordPress)

Google Site Kit bundles Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, and PageSpeed in one plugin.

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Plugins > Add New > Search “Site Kit by Google”
  3. Install and activate.
  4. Follow the setup instructions to connect:
    • Google Analytics
    • Search Console
    • PageSpeed Insights
    • AdSense (optional, for monetization)

✅ 8. Optimize for Speed and Mobile

Google considers page speed and mobile responsiveness for rankings.

Use PageSpeed Insights (pagespeed.web.dev) to test your site.

Recommended plugins:

  • LiteSpeed Cache
  • Autoptimize
  • Smush or ShortPixel (for image optimization)

✅ 9. Secure Your Blog with HTTPS

Most modern hosting services offer a free SSL certificate. Make sure your site loads with https://

You can use Really Simple SSL plugin for WordPress to force HTTPS.

✅ 10. Create a Privacy Policy Page

If you’re collecting user data (e.g., via Google Analytics), a Privacy Policy is legally required.

You can use a privacy policy generator like:

  • TermsFeed
  • PrivacyPolicies.com

Add a link to the footer of your blog.

✅ 11. Set Up Backups and Security

Avoid losing your data by installing backup and security plugins.

Recommended tools:

  • UpdraftPlus – Backup to Google Drive or Dropbox
  • Wordfence Security – Real-time firewall and malware scanner

✅ 12. Start Tracking and Improving

After setup, monitor your data in:

  • Google Analytics: See where users come from and what they do.
  • Search Console: Check keyword rankings and indexing issues.
  • PageSpeed Insights: Improve site speed regularly.

✅ Example Use Case

Suppose you published a blog post titled “How to Clean Up Google Drive”. After setting up Analytics, you find:

  • Most visitors are coming from mobile devices
  • Users drop off after 30 seconds

You can then:

  • Optimize the page for mobile
  • Add headings and visuals to improve engagement

Final Thoughts

Setting up Google Analytics and other tools may seem technical at first, but it’s essential for long-term success. With just a few steps, your blog will be ready to grow, rank, and earn.

Let your journey with TechTips24.com or your own blog begin the right way!