Getting Started

Setting up GA4 on WordPress without the headaches

Learn the best ways to install Google Analytics 4 on WordPress using plugins like Site Kit, GTM Kit, or Google Tag Manager. Step-by-step instructions included.

Antoine

January 14, 20266 min read

WordPress makes GA4 setup relatively , if you choose the right method. There are several ways to do it, and the best choice depends on how much control you need.

Let me walk you through your options.

Choose your installation method

Method	Best for	Complexity
Site Kit by Google	Beginners, simple sites	Easy
GTM Kit plugin	WooCommerce, e-commerce	Medium
Google Tag Manager	Full control, complex tracking	Advanced
Manual code	Developers, specific needs	Advanced

If you're not sure, start with Site Kit. You can always move to GTM later.

Method 1: Site Kit by Google (easiest)

Site Kit is Google's official WordPress plugin. It integrates Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, and more in one dashboard.

Step-by-step

Install the plugin
- Go to Plugins → Add New
- Search for "Site Kit by Google"
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Connect your Google account
- After activation, you'll see a setup wizard
- Click Sign in with Google
- Grant the requested permissions
Connect Google Analytics
- Site Kit will prompt you to connect Analytics
- If you have an existing GA4 property, select it
- If not, Site Kit can create one for you
Verify it's working
- Wait a few minutes
- Go to Site Kit → Dashboard
- You should see analytics data starting to appear

What you get with Site Kit

Analytics right in your WordPress dashboard
Automatic pageview tracking
Search Console integration
No coding required

Limitations

Limited custom event tracking
Not ideal for complex setups
Less flexibility than GTM

Method 2: GTM Kit plugin (recommended for WooCommerce)

GTM Kit is purpose-built for Google Tag Manager and GA4. It's especially powerful if you're running WooCommerce.

Step-by-step

Install GTM Kit
- Go to Plugins → Add New
- Search for "GTM Kit"
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Get your GTM container ID
- Go to tagmanager.google.com
- Your container ID looks like GTM-XXXXXXX
- If you don't have a container, create one first
Configure GTM Kit
- Go to Settings → GTM Kit
- Enter your container ID
- Enable options based on your needs:
  - WooCommerce integration (if applicable)
  - Contact Form 7 tracking
  - Data layer features
Set up GA4 in GTM
- In GTM, create a Google Tag with your Measurement ID
- Set trigger to Initialization - All Pages
- Publish your container

WooCommerce e-commerce tracking

GTM Kit automatically pushes WooCommerce data to the dataLayer:

Event	What it tracks
`view_item`	Product page views
`add_to_cart`	Add to cart actions
`remove_from_cart`	Cart removals
`begin_checkout`	Checkout starts
`purchase`	Completed purchases

You just need to set up corresponding GA4 Event tags in GTM to send this data.

Method 3: Google Tag Manager (manual)

For full control, install GTM directly without a plugin.

Step-by-step

Create GTM container (if you haven't)
- Go to tagmanager.google.com
- Create a new container for your site
Get the installation code
- Click on your container
- Copy both code snippets (head and body)
Add to your theme

Option A: Edit theme files (not recommended for updates)
- Add the <head> snippet to header.php
- Add the <body> snippet right after <body> tag
Option B: Use a code snippets plugin
- Install "Code Snippets" or similar plugin
- Add the head code to run in <head>
- Add the body code to run in <body>
Option C: Use your theme's settings
- Many themes have "header scripts" and "body scripts" sections
- Paste the code in the appropriate fields
Set up GA4 in GTM
- Create Google Tag with your Measurement ID
- Set trigger to Initialization - All Pages
- Add any custom event tags you need
- Publish

Why use GTM directly?

Maximum flexibility
No plugin dependencies
Works with any theme
Full event tracking control

But requires more technical knowledge.

Method 4: Manual gtag.js installation

If you don't want GTM and don't want a plugin, you can add GA4 code directly.

Step-by-step

Get your GA4 tracking code
- Go to GA4 → Admin → Data Streams
- Click your web stream
- Click View tag instructions
- Copy the gtag.js code

Add to your site

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

Insert into WordPress
- Use a code snippets plugin
- Or add to your theme's header via customizer
- Or edit header.php (not recommended)

When to use this method

Simple sites with basic tracking needs
When you need to avoid GTM for some reason
Quick testing setups

Verifying your installation

Whichever method you use, verify it works:

Quick check: Realtime reports

Go to GA4 → Reports → Realtime
Open your WordPress site in another tab
You should see yourself as an active user

Thorough check: DebugView

Install the GA Debugger extension
Go to GA4 → Admin → DebugView
Navigate your site
Watch for page_view and other events

For more testing methods, see our GA4 testing guide.

Plugin comparison

Feature	Site Kit	GTM Kit	Manual GTM
Setup difficulty	Easy	Medium	Advanced
WooCommerce e-commerce	Limited	Full	Full
Custom events	Limited	Via GTM	Full
Dashboard in WP	✅	❌	❌
Flexibility	Low	Medium	High
Updates/maintenance	Google-managed	Plugin updates	Manual

Common mistakes

Installing multiple tracking methods

Pick one. Don't use Site Kit AND GTM Kit AND manual code. You'll get duplicate data.

Forgetting to exclude internal traffic

Set up internal traffic filters in GA4 after installation:

Go to Admin → Data Streams → [Your Stream] → Configure tag settings
Define internal traffic with your IP
Enable the filter in Data Settings

Not testing before launch

Always verify tracking works in DebugView or Realtime before assuming it's done.

Using outdated plugins

Check that your chosen plugin supports GA4 (not just Universal Analytics). Many older plugins don't.

Next steps

Once GA4 is installed on WordPress:

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