how to add google analytics to WordPress without plugin

Google Analytics is an essential tool for any website owner who wants to understand their site visitors and improve their content based on user interaction and preferences. Integrating Google Analytics with your WordPress site allows you to track and analyze your traffic in-depth. While numerous plugins can help you add Google Analytics to your WordPress site, doing it manually can often give you more control and keep your site running swiftly without additional plugins.

Step 1: Getting Your Google Analytics Tracking Code

First, you’ll need a Google Analytics account. If you don’t have one, you can create it for free by visiting the Google Analytics website. Here’s how you can get your tracking code:

1. Sign in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Navigate to the ‘Admin’ section at the bottom left of your Google Analytics dashboard.
3. In the ‘Admin’ panel, select the account you want to track under the ‘Account’ column.
4. In the ‘Property’ column, make sure the right website property is selected, then click on ‘Tracking Info’, followed by ‘Tracking Code’.
5. Your tracking code will be displayed under the ‘Website Tracking’ section. This is the JavaScript code you will need to insert into your WordPress site.

Step 2: Inserting the Tracking Code into WordPress

Once you have your tracking code, the next step is to insert this code into your WordPress website. You will embed this code into the header of your site so that it loads on every page.

Method 1: Edit the Theme’s header.php File

This method involves directly editing the HTML of your WordPress theme:

1. Access your WordPress dashboard and go to ‘Appearance’ > ‘Theme Editor’.
2. On the right-hand side, find and click on the header.php file under the ‘Theme Files’ section.
3. Insert your Google Analytics tracking code just before the closing tag.
4. Click ‘Update File’ to save the changes.

Caution: Directly editing your theme files can be risky. If you make a mistake, it could bring down your entire site. Always back up your site before making any changes.

Method 2: Using WordPress Hooks

For those who prefer not to edit theme files directly, using WordPress hooks is a safer alternative:

1. Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file:

   function add_google_analytics() { ?>
       
       
           window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
           function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
           gtag('js', new Date());
   
           gtag('config', 'YOUR_TRACKING_ID');
       
   <?php }
   add_action('wp_head', 'add_google_analytics');

2. Replace YOUR_TRACKING_ID with your actual Google Analytics tracking ID.

This method ensures that your tracking code stays intact even if you update or change your theme.

Step 3: Verify Your Setup

After adding the tracking code to your website, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s working correctly:

1. Open your Google Analytics dashboard.
2. Go to ‘Real-Time’ and then ‘Overview’.
3. Visit your website in a new tab.
4. Check if your visit is recorded in the ‘Real-Time’ report.

If you see your activity on the dashboard, congratulations! Your Google Analytics is now successfully integrated with your WordPress site without using a plugin.

Maintaining Your Google Analytics Integration

• Regular checks: Regularly verify your tracking code implementation, especially after updating WordPress or your theme.
• Stay updated on Google Analytics: Google often updates its Analytics tools, so stay informed about any changes that might require you to update your tracking code.
• Security: Since you’re manually adding code, ensure your website’s security to prevent vulnerabilities.

By integrating Google Analytics this way, you reduce your reliance on plugins, potentially speeding up your site and reducing security risks associated with third-party tools. Plus, manual integration gives you a deeper understanding of how such integrations work, boosting your WordPress management skills.