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!


What is Google Lens, and How Does It Work?

Google is the most popular search engine globally. With the introduction of Google Lens, Google intends to improve its search engine services to its clients. But what is Google Lens, and how does Google Lens work? Google Lens is described as a cutting-edge image and camera technology utilizing the aspect of online search capabilities. Read on to discover how you can utilize this amazing product from Google.

What is Google Lens?

Google launched the Google Lens (GL) AI application in 2017 during the unveiling of the Google Pixel phone. The Google Lens application was an exclusive feature of the phone. Over the years, the application has gained immense popularity among various smartphone users. Additionally, the application has undergone frequent upgrades to ensure it’s updated and extra efficient.

GL, in summary, is an application, that:

  • Analyses images to perform specific tasks.
  • Displays specific information related to the images. T
  • Has vision-based computing capabilities help users find what they are looking for.
  • Uses the information to take practical actions, copy, translate, explore, and discover relevant information.

Simply put!

GL helps you search for information online using your camera or a photo. Traditionally most of us are used to searching for information online using keywords. The mobile application works with Google Assistant, an in-built Android camera, and Google photos. Unlike other earlier image recognition applications, Google Lens uses artificial intelligence, which makes it faster and more efficient.

Is Google Lens available for both iOS and Android?

GL is available for iOS and Android devices. Android devices can easily download the Google Lens app from Play Store. However, iOS device users have to use the Google App to access the GL application. The Google Lens features will be available on the camera icon present in the Google App. When using the visual search platform for the first time, you must grant the app access to your image gallery and camera.

It’s important to check if the GL application is compatible with your Android device. You can check the app’s compatibility with your device when you access the Play Store application and search for the application. You aren’t required to buy the application when downloading it from Play Store for Android device users. The Google app is also free and has no purchase subscriptions for smartphones that don’t use the android system.

Google Lens as a visual search engine for eCommerce
Google Lens in action

How Google Lens works for eCommerce SEO

According to Orbelo, there were 2.14 billion online shoppers globally by the end of 2021. The number is a 4.4% increase from the 2020 number of online buyers. Every year, online buyers increase, which is greatly attributed to the increase in smart devices and internet connectivity. The potential of the eCommerce industry is great, with plenty of opportunities to enhance the efficiency of eCommerce platforms.

During the pandemic, online sales experienced tremendous growth. Everyone was forced to use online shopping to shop for everything from groceries to high-end jewelry. Online shoppers use different digital tools to enhance and streamline their shopping experience. Google Lens is one of the key digital tools that is gaining popularity among online shoppers.

Is it like a visual search engine?

Understanding the functionality of GL will help you fully use this visual search engine. When using the Google Lens application, an image is uploaded from your gallery or camera to Google’s servers. The application then uses artificial intelligence to analyze the image and determine the information present in the image. During the image analysis, GL will compare the image with other images. It will then rank the images found based on their similarities and the relevance of objects present in the images.

GL is a reliable assistant when browsing through the various shelves in an online store. The new technology gives online buyers the eCommerce SEO advantage when shopping online. How? By combining image and text online search capability. GL will also use its detailed understanding of the submitted image and SEO to provide relevant information and results from the internet. You will get a list of all the online stores where you can purchase the product. Also, you will get information on available options, and any other relevant data you need.

When presenting the relevant eCommerce data, GL ranks the relevant data and can narrow the information to the most relevant results. After presenting you with the relevant data, the Google Lens gives you various options on the next cause of action. When using the application, you will have the option of the following features:

  • Smart Text search
  • Smart Text Selection
  • Google homework questions
  • Translate
  • Search around you

Google Lens saves the online shopper the struggle of describing a product or searching through various similar products. The product picture will provide all the information and details about the product needed by Google Lens to find the most accurate information about the product. With the multi-search option on Google Lens, you can translate text into different languages and identify other key aspects of your image.

Final thoughts

Google Lens is more than a visual search engine. The application can provide more than the basic relevant information about an image. The application is the best digital commerce assistant for online shoppers providing online buyers with eCommerce SEO results. Using the image you provide, the application will provide you with relevant information about the product, ranging from online stores to the best deals and similar items. 

You can also use the app to add events to your calendar, translate text, find Google reviews of businesses and even copy business cards’ information to your address book. Download the Google Lens application and access plenty of eCommerce SEO information relevant to your images.

If you need assistance with Google Lens and creating a strategy for your products with images optimized for eCommerce SEO, First Page Digital is here to help. You’ll be able to drive more traffic to your site and services with the right image data, targeting audiences looking for more details for specific photos.

FAQs about Google Lens

Before you leave, we have some answers for the most popular questions people have about Google Lens. If you have any other queries, feel free to contact us.

Can I use Google Lens on website?

If you prefer using your browser to reverse search for an image, Chrome can now use Google Lens on desktops. You may need to update your browser to the latest version. When users find images on a page, all they need to do is right-click on it and select “Search image using Google Lens.” 

Can I use Google Lens for my business?

Google Lens is extremely useful when you’re trying to expand your network. If you see business cards on websites, it quickly scans the information in a way that you can use for your contact portfolio. It saves time having to manually input the information into your database by extracting the contact details from the image.

Does Google Lens cost money?

You won’t need to pay for Google Lens, as the platform is free of charge on mobile and PC devices. It’s a tool that Google created for its users to make it stand out as one of the best search engine platforms available online. You simply need to download and install it to start using it.

What is Google Lens good for?

The image search platform helps to identify various details about a photo, especially if you’re looking for products or other images related to it. You can also search for the original image source, which is helpful for crediting the creator when you want to use it on your site. If you’re posting images of your own products, eCommerce SEO meta data will assist Google Lens users in finding your images for related searches.

Image searches simply find the best results for your query. Google Lens takes it a step further and identified specific items within the photo, such as text, vehicles, animals, and more. It also helps you find the original image source, while it can capture the text within the image in a way that you can use for your business.

On-Page SEO in 2021 (Is More Important Than Ever)

In the world of SEO, it was always the rule-of-thumb that building backlinks is the most powerful SEO strategy.

Well, those days are over.

As Google search gets exponentially smarter, it is beginning to focus less and less on backlinks, and more and more on the on-page elements.

Over time the power of backlinks will decrease, and the power of on-page SEO will increase.

Get ahead of the pack, and start raking in the traffic with our on-page SEO guide below.

How to Optimize Your Content

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Keywords

Keywords are important, but just scattering them throughout your content isn’t enough. To rank higher on search engines, ideally, you should use your target keyword within the first 100 to 150 words of your content. Search engines usually put more emphasis on words that show up earlier on your page.

In fact, search engines also look at how many times you use a specific keyword—or those close to it—within the same page. For example, if you use the word ‘java programming’ only once on your page, the machine may not be confident that the entire article is about java programming. But if you use it multiple times, the likelihood that it is about java programming becomes higher. That doesn’t mean you should stuff keywords too much though! Using them naturally a few times is enough.

Headings

When you format your headings in H1 and H2 tags, search engines can gauge the structure of the page. Walls of text tend to not do as well as pages organized with headings. Headings also make your content easier for users to skim through, which is important for user experience. Most people are not going to read every word you write, but you want to provide value to them through what they do read.

Provide internal and external links within your content! When you link to other pages, Google can gauge what topic your page is covering. Pages also tend to rank higher when they link to authority websites, rather than low-ranking ones.

How to Optimize Your Page

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URLs

An underrated part of on-page SEO is the URL. The URL actually shows up above the title, so it’s important that your URL is short, looks authentic, and consists of the keyword you’re targeting.

Title Tags

The title tag is one of the most important factors for on-page SEO—if not the most important. It gives search engines an overview of the kind of content on a page. The closer the target keyword is to the tag, the better your content will rank. In fact, if you can use the keyword within the title tag itself, you can improve your rankings even more.

You should also use modifiers within the title tag to help you target long-tail keywords.

Meta Descriptions

Similar to how URLs, meta descriptions are also important. Ideally, you want to write your own meta description, and make it unique. Use your target keyword in your meta description, because a good meta will make your page stand out among results and help you boost your click-through rate.

How to Optimize for CTR

Organic click-through rate is something to keep in mind. While your page layout, formatting, content etc. are all important, you also need to make efforts to make your audience actually click on your page.

Use Question Title Tags

Turns out, question-based title tags have a better CTR than statement ones. If someone searches for “click-through rate,” for most people, they’d be searching for what exactly a click-through rate is. The title tag being a question itself will show them that your page is providing the answers they’re looking for.

Use Current Year

Using the current year in your title and description shows that the content on your page is up-to-date and relevant. This works especially well for content that goes out of date very fast.

How to Optimize for User Experience

The user experience of your page also determines how well it’ll do on rankings. Dwell time, bounce rate etc. are all taken into account. If users do not seem satisfied, your page may not rank as well.

Keep Content At the Top

Users want the information they’re looking for fast. Avoid taking up too much space with images, and make sure the content is visible, especially at the top.

Page Loading Speed

How fast your page loads also contributes to user experiences. Nobody’s going to wait more than a few seconds for information. If they don’t get it immediately, they’ll be hitting the back button.

While all of these are important, remember that search engine criteria keeps changing. You have to stay on top of new changes, all the time, to make sure your pages are ranking, and maintaining that ranking.

Final Thoughts

On-page SEO is critically important, if you are feeling overwhelmed with everything you need to do to have a perfectly optimised website, give us a call to chat with one of our Digital Marketing Strategists. They’ll give you a free SEO consultation, and let you know the best ways to grow your website and explode your traffic.

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