In this blog I will show you how to become a Google Analytics Ninja in less than 2 weeks. All you have to do is spare a few hours everyday and go through the steps below. Don’t let the terminology and the scattered resources all over the web scare you. It is a lot easier than you think.
Google Analytics is your gateway drug. It is a marvelous-free software that lets you run and analyze your web marketing. After learning how to run it, you will be amazed what you've been missing and how efficient your web-marketing becomes. So let’s jump into it!
1- First order of business is opening a Google Analytics account. After signing up, grab the WebTracking Code and place it on your Website. How to setup the ID on your site can be find here. If you don’t have a website don’t worry, you can open a free Blogger account and practice on it. Click here for the instructions on how to open your blog. Blogger lets you edit html and you will be able to use Tag Manager, layers, etc.
Update: Consider deploying your GA tracking code through TAG manager. If you ultimately want to dig deeper into Google Analytics reports and squeeze out that last bit of information, I strongly suggest learning basic Tag management. Googles' free tag manager does the job perfectly and works wonders with Google Analytics. Trust me, it'll worth the effort.
2- Awesome! You have opened your Analytics account placed your tracking ID. The data from your visitors is already flowing into your dashboard. Now let’s visit Google Analytics Academy to learn what we can do with this marvelous tool. On GA Academy, you will find multiple courses. I would strongly suggest starting with Digital Analytics Fundamentals. After you are done, take the Google Analytics Platform Principles. These courses consist of videos, text and multiple choice answers. I must add that the videos move in a very fast pace. So make sure to take notes while watching the videos. This is the best way to do it:
-Watch the corresponding video while taking notes
-Answer the multiple choice questions
-Click on the text button and internalize the information
-Go to your Analytics account and apply all the cool tricks you just learned
-Once you are done with all the units, take the final assessment
3- Great! You are done with your Final assessments! Before taking the GAIQ exam, let’s reinforce what we have learned. Check out this pdf from Blast Analytics and make sure you are comfortable with all definitions. Also, visit this great blog from MOZ about the GAIQ exam.
4- Next step is taking the GAIQ (Google Analytics Individual Qualification) test. You need to sign up for a Google Partners account to be able to take the test. The test is free to take and consists of 70 questions. You have to answer 56 of them correctly to pass it. Remember, you only have 90 minutes to complete the test! If you fail, you can retake it in 2 weeks or immediately after creating a new account.
5- Congratulations, now you are GAIQ certified and gave yourself a critical edge in the job market. Go out and celebrate! When your hangover eases, come back to visit this awesome blog from KissMetrics: 50 Resources for Getting the Most Out of Google Analytics and spend a good week in there. Don’t forget to apply, apply and then re-apply!!! Trust me, what you learned in there will separate you from all the Click streamers out there and get you the job! Also, take a look at this interactive check-list from SimplyBusiness to confirm you are on the right track.
That’s it! You are now a Google Analytics Ninja. It is time to update your CV, Linkedin and apply for your dream job. But Hey! Why stop there! Remember, GA is your gateway drug and now it’s time to dig deeper into the Web Analytics world to gain some more edge. Your only path to become the ultimate “Web Analytics Ninja” goes through “Web Analytics 2.0”.
"Web Analytics 2.0" is a framework established by the Analytics Guru and Google Evangelist Avinash Kaushik. Visit his blog and learn about Multiplicity. I also advise you to get his book Web Analytics 2.0 and make it your bible. Take your time with this great book and don’t forget apply, apply and then re-apply! Good-luck and may the Analytics Force be with you!
