All the Tips About Migrating to GA4 in Hong Kong – Get ahead now!

Update: Google is extending the deadline to switch to GA4 by moving the Universal Analytics 360 sunset date all the way to 2024!

If you’re a marketer in Hong Kong, then you need to be aware of the upcoming changes to the Google Analytics platform.

Come July 1, 2023, All Standard UA properties will be sunset by Google. Be prepared to switch to not be left behind.

If you are on Universal Analytics 360, you have some more time to transition to GA4. The deadline to transition to GA4 has moved from October 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024!

And just to clarify, this change only applies to the enterprise version of Universal Analytics.

So if you’re unsure how to migrate from Universal Analytics or just want some tips on making the process as smooth as possible, read on! We’ll give you all the information you need to make a move without a hitch.


What’s changing with GA4, and what do I need to know?

You should be aware of two critical factors while switching from Universal Analytics to GA4:

  • GA4 will completely replace Universal Analytics as of July 1, 2023.
  • Data processing for Standard Universal Analytics properties will stop, and only GA4 properties will get fresh data.
  • The sunset for Universal Analytics 360 will be July 1, 2024.

Users will now need to grasp how to utilize GA4 and the additional procedures that come with it as a result of this change. We’ll further break things down to assist you in doing this.


What does ‘property’ mean in Google Analytics?

You might wonder what we mean by “property” before we even start talking about GA4.

A property is a website or app you track with Google Analytics. As such, you are handling a Universal Analytics property if you use Universal Analytics to track your website.

The same website will have a Google Analytics 4 property once you move to GA4.


What is Google Analytics 4 exactly?

GA4 enables users to track traffic and engagement on the websites and apps of your business.

The change to GA4 will, however, provide a new class of property with distinct reports. These reports will differ from those that are typically displayed when using Universal Analytics.

To better understand the customer journey, GA4 was created with the future of measurement in mind and gathers the pertinent data.

Please note that GA4 will provide more functionality than Universal Analytics. It was to meet current reporting and privacy requirements.


GA4 or UA

What is the difference between GA4 and Universal Analytics?

While there are many parallels and differences between GA4 and Universal Analytics, GA4 is a more sophisticated, foolproof, and effective tool for tracking the development of your property.

Some of these differences include the following:

  • GA4 is event-based – The session-based Universal Analytics stands in sharp contrast to this. The foundation of Universal Analytics was the idea that the most crucial indicator of a successful website was the number of page views. This is no longer the case since GA4 now makes it possible to track various actions, including button presses and video plays.
  • Tracking across various devices – GA4 offers improved company and customer journey visibility across various websites and apps, whereas Universal Analytics was designed for tracking desktop web traffic. Thus, this considers the utilization of mobile phones and other smart gadgets. 
  • Machine learning processes – Machine learning technology is used in GA4. This allows the platform to make relevant predictions and share appropriate insights.
  • GA4 protects your privacy – GA4 does not rely on cookies like Universal Analytics does, respecting your privacy.

With all these new capabilities combined, it is obvious that GA4 is the best option for Google Analytics. It will be the best tool to gauge the performance of your business’s online presence.


How do I know if I’m using Universal Analytics or GA4?

Not sure if you’re now utilizing GA4 or are still using Universal Analytics? There are a few straightforward ways to know.

  1. After October 14, 2020, GA4 was the default Google Analytics platform. As a result, GA4 will be used if you generated any properties after that point.
  2. If you were using Google Analytics before October 2022, then you are using Universal Analytics and must migrate to GA4 processes.
  3. You can always make sure. Users can view their property type in Google Analytics. You may locate your property ID by looking at your account. Your ID will begin with UA followed by digits if you use Universal Analytics. But GA4 properties’ IDs only contain digits.

Migrating to GA4 – What do you need to do?

Although moving to GA4 can seem difficult, our team has created a foolproof approach to make the transition and guarantee that all of your data is protected.

Make the change to GA4 as soon as possible!

There is still time until the GA4 takeover is finished. However, don’t delay! We recommend you make the change as soon as you can. This is so your GA4 account can gather the information needed to drive insights and produce the relevant data.

While Google’s GA4 Setup Assistant describes your choices for current tagging, our experts at First Page can guide you through each step to ensure you understand GA4 entirely and the necessity of switching.

Similar to the above, Google has also released an article that can simplify the procedure for you if you employ sophisticated features or run Google advertisements.

Next, remember to modify Facebook and Google ads conversion tracking.

Once you have set up your GA4 property, you can view all analytics and data in your Google ads account.

Hence, if you have already established conversion tracking… Here is the next thing to do. You will need to import Google Analytics conversions into Google ads. Then you must remove Universal Analytic goals to avoid creating duplicates.

Are you interested in learning more about the connection between GA4 and your Google Ads account? Speak with First Page’s professionals right away. We offer excellent guidance on Facebook and Google ads. We can assist you in making your migration process simple and stress-free.

Do not forget to export past reports.

You will still have six months of access to Universal Analytics data after July 1, 2023.

Therefore, this time should be used to export any previous data and reports that are important to you and your company.

Additionally, by making the move now rather than delaying it until July 2023, you’ll have less historical data to transfer over time. This means that everything you want will already be tied to GA4, and the platform can begin processing data to support your company and Google ad goals.

Call our First Page Google experts immediately if you’re unclear about how to export data.


Let Our Experts Help!

Are you having problems distinguishing between GA4 and Universal Analytics?

When it comes to switching Google Analytics platforms and migration, you might not know where to begin.

Our Google ad experts at First Page are available to assist you whether you are facing one of these issues or something else with digital marketing

Universal Analytics is coming to an end. Remember, Google Analytics 4 is swiftly taking over. Hence, to keep up to date with your data and extract the necessary information about your website, you must make the switch to GA4 immediately.

At First Page, we can help you do just that. Talk to our team today in Hong Kong about how we can help you migrate to the GA4 and continue your Google ads journey. Alternatively, we specialize in various other digital marketing services and can assist you with growing your business. Contact us today.


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We know you want to make real money! Get ready to convert customers like crazy. Please do not delay. Contact us today!


E-E-A-T: The High-stakes SEO Factor You Can’t Ignore!

When it comes to website rankings, E-E-A-T is king.

Hold on… Is that an extra E?

Yes, that is right. Google has added an E to E-A-T. What the heck for?

What are these mysterious letters? To cut to the chase, these letters stand for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

These four words are the essence of what Google expects from a top-quality website. Think of E-E-A-T as a royal acronym, if you will.

It’s the driving force behind Google’s search engine rankings. If your website and its content follow these four simple rules, it has great potential to climb up in SERPs!

So what does this wonderful quartet entail? Let us discover together…


Experience in E-E-A-T really matters
Experience in E-E-A-T really matters

Experience – the new kid on the block!

This “Experience” is the new must-have E in Google’s E-A-T criteria, and it’s causing a stir. 

In December 2022, Google updated its quality rater guidelines to include this element. What does this mean?

The long and short of it is that the search engine giant is now on the lookout for content written by those who have truly lived it up in Bali (for example). 

Want to rank for hiking in Bali? Make sure your writer has trekked Mount Agung. Promoting a specific activity in Bali? Google wants a pro who’s been there, done that, and has the Instagram photos to prove it.

You see, Google wants to ensure that the information about products or services comes from a credible and reliable source, and nothing screams reliability like personal experience. 

So, if you want to up your SEO game and make sure your content stands out among the sea of Bali-based websites, it’s time to make sure your content is coming from real experts!

It could be from locals or travelers who have actually been to Bali and have first-hand experience. Don’t have a Bali expert on your team? Time to start networking and forming partnerships with people who do.

In short, the new “E” in E-E-A-T means that you can’t fake it to make it. Google wants the real deal. 

In this Bali example, to achieve a higher ranking in search engine results, it’s important to ensure that your website’s content comes from experienced and knowledgeable locals or travelers who have actually been to Bali and have practical experience visiting and knowing the place. 

So don’t get left behind. Make sure you have the experience to back up your content, and you’ll be on your way to the top of Google’s search engine results.

Now the new kid is out of the way, let’s recap on the rest (of E-E-A-T)…


Expertise

So don’t get left behind. Make sure you have the expertise to back up your content, and you’ll be on your way to the top of Google’s search engine results.

Expertise and trustworthiness go hand-in-hand – when it comes to content, you’ve got to know your stuff if you want Google’s stamp of approval. 

That means medical advice should come from doctors; financial advice is best left up to the pros! 

But all hope isn’t lost for those less “formally trained” authors out there – as long as they can prove their in-depth knowledge via reviews or forums, we’d say they’re still good contenders when addressing expert topics…as long as that ‘knowledge’ has a purpose behind it too.


Authority

Authority, the “A” in E-A-T, is what makes Google sit up and take notice. It’s like having a squad of cheerleaders for your website, but way cooler.

Authority is all about showing the world that you’re the go-to expert in your field, and the best way to do that is by collecting backlinks from the coolest kids on the block (aka, reliable and relevant websites).

For example, suppose your website is the new hot thing in fashion, and all the cool fashion publications start linking back to your site in their articles. In that case, Google will take notice and consider your site trustworthy and worth recommending.

It’s like being in the “in-crowd,” but instead of popularity, it’s all about being seen as an authority in your field.

So make sure to network and get those backlinks, and you’ll be well on your way to being the authority in your niche.


Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness, the “T” in E-A-T, makes Google trust you. It’s like being in a relationship, but instead of with a person, it’s with a search engine.

Trustworthiness is all about showing Google that your site is a safe and reliable place for users to visit. And just like in a relationship, communication is key.

A secure domain that keeps users’ personal information under wraps is the equivalent of being a good listener in a relationship. Positive customer reviews, on the other hand, are like having a squad of wingmen vouching for you.

But just like in a relationship, too many negative reviews and Google will start to see your site as a red flag, and your position on the SERPs will take a hit.

So, keep your site secure and your reviews positive, and you’ll be on your way to a solid, trustworthy relationship with Google.


Is E-E-A-T an Algorithm?

Ever wondered how Google decides which websites are the cream of the crop? It’s not a secret algorithm, but rather insight from experts who evaluate sites using criteria set out by ‘Quality Rater Guidelines’.

This feedback helps to shape and refine what results appear when we use our favorite search engine – so these evaluators have an important job in helping us find exactly what we’re looking for!


Want to improve your SEO E-E-A-T? Of course, you do!

E-E-A-T is the secret sauce to a high-ranking website. It’s like a four-course meal, with each element complementing the other.

Experience tells Google you have first-hand experience, and expertise shows Google that you know your stuff.

Authority proves that others think you know your stuff, and trustworthiness, well, it’s the cherry on top that lets Google know that you’re a safe bet.

Improve your E-E-A-T, and you’ll see your website rise through the ranks faster than a hot air balloon. 


What we recommend to improve your E-E-A-T (top tips)!

SEO can be a tricky thing to master, but you don’t need to be an SEO expert to score big… just a few basic tips on E-E-A-T can go a long way toward improving your SEO success.

If you want to uptick your SEO standings, then it’s time for you to get EEAT-ing!

So put down the SEO dictionary and get ready for some quality chow time with these SEO improvement tips.


With E-E-A-T for SEO, give your website a healthy SEO diet!
With E-E-A-T for SEO, give your website a healthy SEO diet!

Want to get the most out of your experience?

Imagine you’re trying to decide between two products, one with a glowing review from a satisfied customer who’s actually used the product and another with a glowing review from someone who’s just repeating what they’ve read online.

Which one are you going to trust? The answer is obvious, right? People trust those who have first-hand experience.

So, the question is, how do you show off your experience and prove to your audience that you’re the real deal?

Here you go:

  • Share case studies or personal anecdotes that demonstrate your expertise and experience
  • Include testimonials or reviews from satisfied customers who have used your products or services
  • Create a detailed and informative product or service guides that show off your in-depth knowledge
  • Share behind-the-scenes looks or process overviews that give insight into your experience and expertise
  • Use data, statistics, and research to back up your claims and demonstrate your authority in your field
  • Create a detailed “About Us” page that showcases the qualifications and experience of your team members
  • Use multimedia such as videos, images, or infographics to showcase your experience and process
  • Show off any certifications or awards that demonstrate your expertise in your field
  • Share your work and experience through social media, such as LinkedIn and Medium

All these suggestions are ways to demonstrate your experience and prove to your target audience that you are the real deal. By incorporating them into your website, you can build trust and increase your website’s E-E-A-T score, which will improve your website ranking.


SEM campaign with first Page

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Want to show Google that you have the expertise?

Want to show off your website’s expertise? It’s all about understanding what your audience is really craving and giving it to them.

Think of it like being a chef. You need to know your customers’ taste buds before you can whip up a dish they’ll love.

What steps should you take? The first is conducting some serious keyword research and developing a solid strategy. It’s like a menu for your website. It’ll guide you in serving up the right content for your audience.

Here are some more tips:

  • Understand user intent and tailor your content to meet their needs
  • Create useful and informative content that addresses your audience’s specific concerns and interests
  • Regularly blog about topics related to your products or business

It goes without saying that one key SEO skill is understanding your audience and trying to anticipate their intent when making SEO choices.

Knowing what kind of content your readers are looking for, as well as how they may search for it, will give you an edge over the competition.

Knowing the basics is important, but showing expertise in SEO requires an understanding of user intent and how you can use SEO to meet those expectations. 

Just think – with some clever tactics, SEO could move you up the ranks just as swiftly as it gotcha down!

How to dominate your industry and show your authority?

Authority is like the coolest kid at school–the one everyone wants to be friends with. When it comes to ranking in Google, you can show them “even cool kids think I’m cool” by collecting backlinks from relevant and credible sources.

Our top authoritative tips:

  1. Build relationships with influencers and other authoritative figures in your industry. By getting them to link to your website, you can establish your own authority by association.
  2. Guest post on other authoritative websites in your industry. Not only will this give you exposure to a new audience, but it will also give you a backlink from a reputable source.
  3. Sharing is caring, and that’s especially true when it comes to building your brand. By spreading your content around and interacting with leads and customers, you’ll be doing wonders for your website’s authority.

Improving the authority of your website is like It’s like throwing a party.

The more people you invite, the better the party will be. Plus, the more people find out about your party from others, the more that will surely want to come.

Consistency is key. The more you put yourself out there, the more authoritative you’ll be. So, don’t be shy. Get your content out there and watch your website’s authority grow sky-high.


Keen to learn more about on-page SEO?

We have a great post on on-page SEO. You can read it to learn more fast!

UX, SEO, and web design

Want to show Google your a safe bet and worth the ‘trustworthiness’?

Trustworthiness may not have the ‘cool factor’ of other SEO tactics, but it’s like having a good lock on your front door – essential for keeping out any unwanted guests.

Let Google know that you’re playing by their rules – keep spam and malicious content far away from your site and provide reliable information users can trust!

Our top trustworthiness tips:

  1. Make sure your website has an SSL certificate. It’s like a digital “Fort Knox” that tells Google your website is a safe place.
  2. Collect positive customer reviews and testimonials. It’s like having fan groupies cheering and vouching for you.
  3. Handle negative reviews promptly and professionally. It’s like having a fire extinguisher. It shows you’re prepared for any situation.
  4. Keep your website updated, fresh, and free of broken links. Just like a well-maintained garden, a well-maintained website is a sign of care and attention.
  5. Ensure that your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent across all platforms. It’s like having a business card. It shows you’re a legitimate business.

Showing Google that you’re reliable and secure is key for getting recommended in search engine results; after all, no one wants to come across bad or malicious information when looking up something online!

So don’t think twice about letting trustworthiness be your website’s bodyguard!

Demonstrate that reliability in every way possible, then sit back and watch those search engine rankings climb higher than ever before.


It’s a wrap on E-E-A-T!

So there you have it, folks! E-E-A-T is the recipe for a high-ranking website, no doubt about it.

We’ve just served up some tasty tips to improve your website’s Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to impressing Google and making your website the top dog in your industry.

But remember, just like a chef can’t cook a Michelin-starred meal without the right tools, you can’t achieve high rankings without the right help.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a hand with improving your E-E-A-T, don’t hesitate to contact First Page for expert assistance.


Ready to reach page one on Google?

We know you want to make real money! Get ready to convert customers like crazy. Please do not delay. Contact us today!


What other marketing tactics can you use to beat your competition?

Here are some useful marketing tactic blogs that can help you break all your past sales records, and your competition in the process:

Are you a busy business owner? You may not have the time to run the marketing tactics you need to make money regularly. If this is the case, we encourage you to review some of our strategic marketing services to drive more sales:

Google is putting an end to broad match modifier keywords. Here’s what you need to know.

In the digital world, change is everywhere: what Google was 10 years ago is drastically different to where it is today – and the same will be in 10 years time. 

One of the most recent changes is due to affect Google Ads: It’s time to say goodbye to Broad Match Modifier (BMM) keywords. 

What exactly is being changed?

Digital advertisers around the world will be keenly aware of what broad match modifier keywords are. In short, advertisers could specify certain words within their search term, allowing them to narrow down the scope to more relevant searches – without, of course, specifying an exact match (where the search term is identical to your keyword), or phrase match (where words appear in a specific order, but can contain other elements too). 

Broad Match Modifier keywords are now being folded into Phrase Match. The effects of this on businesses and advertisers around the world are yet to be seen, but this is clearly in line with Google’s trend over the past few years. Google’s aim is to simplify the process even further – although by combining BMM keywords with Phrase Match, there will be an overlap. 

In short, this means that Phase Match is going to take the place of BMM, and will start bringing in traffic from the traditional BMM areas. 

Phrase Match will now cover the needs of both the traditional Phrase Match and BMM. Google’s algorithm will help you decide whether the word order is important for each particular search term by considering search intent. Here’s an example: 

What does this mean for your business?

What does this mean for businesses?

In Google’s eyes, cutting down the amount of options will save time and effort on the side of advertisers and brands trying to manage their keywords. This is, however, more of a long-term goal. In the short-term, this will require some adjusting on the advertiser’s part. 

The update also means that you should expect to see a significant drop in your BMM traffic, but an increase in your Phrase Match traffic. There could also be a slight drop in your ad quality score, despite what Google claims, as some irrelevant traffic may trigger your ads in the new parameters. Note that traffic may fluctuate during the transitional period, so businesses should keep an eye on their performance metrics and be ready to make any necessary adjustments. 

For anyone wanting to keep using BMM keywords, you can do so until July. At that point, you won’t be able to add any more BMM keywords to your campaigns. Existing ones will continue to work, but will be matched according to the new Phrase Match parameters. 


Your next steps moving forward

What should be your next steps?

Advertisers have been advised to monitor the Recommendations section in their accounts for notices about duplicate keywords. This will help you clean up your campaigns and save time. That being said, all performance data should remain intact throughout the transition. 

Digital advertisers around the world have become accustomed to the old mixture of Exact, BMM, and Phrase Match types. This new system requires a slightly different approach. 

Head over to your accounts and determine how your keywords could be optimised for Exact and Phrase Match. Combining your expertise with Google’s guidelines will hopefully mean a smooth transition away from BMM. 

By prioritising Phrase Match in the coming months, you’ll be in a far better position to deal with any unexpected issues. An early adoption will provide a platform of growth congruent with Google’s tweaks, affording you more time to focus on refining your strategy. 

This change will likely affect your budgets moving forward, too. If the allocation is done via match types, or broken down further by campaigns or ad groups, there could be some changes needed. Keep a close eye on performance numbers, and stay agile. Optimising and changing budgets will be commonplace until the new update settles in. Of course, the more data you have, the better as the impacts and necessary changes will vary amongst campaigns. 

Is this good or bad for advertisers?

Is it good or bad for advertisers?

Google has made it known that this change is for the advertiser’s benefit – even if this might seem counterintuitive at first. If it does help save time, then this is great. However, if it doesn’t, then it could adversely affect the advertising industry in ways not yet fully understood. 


Regardless, change is always disruptive at first. Businesses with their own digital marketing agencies will likely fare these changes the best, as they have a team of experts on the ground keeping a close eye on their campaigns. 

At First Page, our performance media specialists will be reviewing each and every account to see how many BMM keywords are in place, before evaluating their role in the campaign’s traffic. Following this, they will study the BMM keywords and see whether new Phrase Match keywords will need to take their place or not. In many cases, restructuring the BMM and Phrase Match ad groups will be needed in order to compensate for the potential loss in traffic. 

Have any questions about this update? Get in touch with our specialists today. 

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