Instructions for website developers, programmers or IT for upgrading from Google Analytics to Universal Analytics.
Dear <insert name>,
We at <publisher name> would like to upgrade to Universal Analytics, which offers an improved way to track website visitors. The upgrade from classic Google Analytics to Universal Analytics requires some changes to the Analytics tracking code on our website, <insert URL>.
The new version of the Analytics tracking code takes advantage of browser support for asychronous JavaScript to enhance the speed in which the tracking code is loaded, which means the Analytics snippet can be placed higher in the page without delaying subsequent content from rendering. For this reason we would like the attached Analytics snippet placed in the <head> section vs. the <body> section of our website.
Please also note that the replacement snippet uses a different syntax for tracking calls than the traditional snippet. If appliable please update any ecommerce tracking. Google has provided documentation here: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/gajs/gaTrackingEcommerce
We would also like to implement Google Tag Manager and have attached the related GTM code for that. Google indicates that it should be placed after the opening body tag. Once the code is added, we can setup and publish the tags via the Google Tag Manager interface.
If you helped us implement event tracking in the past, the in-line tracking codes should be removed to avoid overcounting pageviews and other metrics. Here is the related documentation: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/upgrade/reference/gtm
We understand the steps as follows:
1. Remove the old Google Analytics code and replace with the new Universal Analytics code. Please note we have added an extra line “ga('require', 'displayfeatures');” which tracks data for various Audience reports, and the new code should be in the <head> section.
If applicable: update any related ecommerce tracking
2. Add the Google Tag Manager code after the opening <body> tag and remove any old event tracking snippets/tags.
Our understanding is that a basic upgrade is approximately 1 hour but that ecommerce or event tracking updates may take longer. Could you please provide a quote by <date> so that we can coordinate the upgrade?
Kind regards,
<your name and contact details>
Some other resources you may find handy:
Video walkthrough on where to get the new Analytics tracking code and setting up a Google Tag Manager Account.
Additional step-by-step instructions on the upgrade process, with links for setting up event tracking tags:
