The main reason you might have multiple data layers is that you have multiple Google Tag Managers on your website that are using separate dataLayers in the GTM code. This is normally due to one of the Tag Managers attempting to set up a custom dataLayer where they have set up custom logic. This would most likely be something like a website provider who runs multiple domains for different business in the same industry.

Signs You Might Have Multiple Data Layers

If you are finding that some native GTM Triggers are not populating (like only Link Clicks populate, but regular clicks are not populating or vice-versa), you should inspect the GTMs on the website and see if any of them have renamed the dataLayer. If this is the case, you can follow the solution below to overwrite this situation.

How To Handle Multiple DataLayers

The easiest way that I’ve found to handle multiple data layers is to overwrite the .push() for the extra dataLayer, where you will map it to your regular dataLayer. This will take any events that come in to the target dataLayer, it will then pass it over to the dataLayer of your choosing.

Mapping Multiple Data Layers To The Same Data Layer

If you find there are multiple data Layers being used, and you’d like to consolidate them into a single dataLayer, you can follow the logic below:

1. Copy The Following Code

<script>
    var arguments = (arguments||[]); 
    var DataLayer = (window.DataLayer||[]); 
    Object.defineProperty(DataLayer, "push", { 
        configurable: true, 
        enumerable: false, 
        writable: true, 
        // Previous values based on Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(Array.prototype, "push") 
        value: function (args) { 
            var result = Array.prototype.push.apply(this, args); 
            // Original push() implementation based on https://github.com/vuejs/vue/blob/f2b476d4f4f685d84b4957e6c805740597945cde/src/core/observer/array.js and https://github.com/vuejs/vue/blob/daed1e73557d57df244ad8d46c9afff7208c9a2d/src/core/util/lang.js 
            window.dataLayer = (window.dataLayer||[]); 
            var newVals = []; 
            Object.keys(args).forEach(function(key, ind) { 
                if(key === 'event'){ 
                args[key] = args[key]; 
                } 
            }) 
            window.dataLayer.push(args); 
            return result; 
            // Original push() implementation 
        } 
    }) 
</script>

2. Create A Custom HTML With An Initialization Trigger

You will want to create a custom HTML Tag where you will paste the code above. You can also add a trigger for All Pages or Initialization

3. Update Your Target DataLayer

You will update the “var DataLayer” where your window.DataLayer will be the DataLayer you are copying from

Example, if you wanted to push events from a custom dataLayer called “companyDataLayer”, you’d update the code to say:

var DataLayer = (window.companyDataLayer||[])

4. Update Your Receiving DataLayer

If you are not pushing to the regular dataLayer, update the window.dataLayer to your dataLayer name.

Summary

Realistically, you should attempt to resolve this issue of different dataLayers by consolidating Google Tag Managers or by updating all dataLayers to use the same name. If you cannot do that for whatever reason, you can attempt the above at your own risk and any usage should be heavily tested to make sure it isn’t affecting anything it should not.

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In 2022, the Automotive Standards Council came together to create a set of standardized events for automotive dealers to be able to more accurately compare their performance over time. Through the efforts of many people, there became a list of over 40 events and parameters that can now be passed into your GA4.

Confirm Your ASC Events

Deciding On Conversions

One of the hardest parts is deciding what you want to include as conversions in GA4. Do you want to have each segmented form type (asc_form_submission_sales,asc_form_submission_service,etc…) or do you just want to know all form submissions (asc_form_submission)? You need to assess the merits of both, as each will have their own advantages and drawbacks.

Using Your Data

Once you’ve decided what is important to your business, its time to start analyzing. You can easily use the native reports to begin analyzing the data to view what channels drive your traffic. Note that if you have data not being properly attributed at this stage, it is not entirely effective to do this. I would highly recommend the Traffic Acquisition report on a weekly basis and confirm that conversion volume and traffic is in-line with what you were anticipating.

Advanced Reports

If you want to understand what your customers are doing, you will want to explore the funnel report. The Funnel Report is phenomenal for telling you where users drop out of your funnel. You will build the same report using the ASC events (asc_itemlist_pageview, asc_item_pageview, asc_form_submission) where you will see at what stage your users fall out of the funnel. From there, you can focus efforts on improving that stage of the funnel to ultimately drive more leads.

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What is the GA4 Funnel Report?

If you are looking to understand what the GA4 Funnel Report is, how to set it up, or how to utilize it, I explain all of it in this blog post.

Save Your Report To Your Library

You’ll find a new File button on the top right corner of your funnel reports. Once you complete these steps, your funnel report will get saved to your library, which is how you add reports to your main GA4 reports.

From there, you can either create a new collection or add it to an existing collection by either hitting “Create new collection” or “Edit Collection” of the report grouping you’d like to add it to.

From there, simply drag the funnel report you’d like to use from the right column into a new “Topic” or into an existing topic and hit save.

You’ll now find the Funnel report you’ve built available in your main reports!

The post How To Save A GA4 Funnel Report To Your Main Navigation appeared first on Ben Yehle.

DISCLOSURE:

All links below are referral links for platforms I have personally used for over 3 years. I may receive small monetary compensation for if you purchase from any the links below, at no cost to you.

What Does a Personal Website Consist Of?

While you might be working and visiting websites daily at your job, a personal website has a significantly different goal than a business website. You aren’t necessarily trying to sell anything, but simply help to build a brand and write your own content. You don’t expect millions of users a month, but you might be able to reach triple digits in a good month. In order to accomplish this, you are going to need a few things:

• Domain Purchasing Platform
• Hosting
• Content Management System

Domain Purchasing Platform

In order to have a website, you need to purchase a domain. There are a few options between .com, .net, and even a few crazy ones like .xyz or .top are all options. Think long and hard about what you want to name this, as you don’t want to go switching domains every year (or just use your first and last name like I do!).

When purchasing a domain, there are a few things you want to consider. How much are you paying, and how much is WHOIS privacy. What is WHOIS privacy? When a domain is purchased, the listing goes onto the WHOIS list, along with the purchasers name and contact info. While this had great intentions, in reality, it has turned into a list where you will be spam called every day. WHOIS privacy is a must-have when purchasing a domain.

I recommend NameSilo as your purchasing platform. I found them a few years ago when I was tired of paying extra for the privacy, and actually found them cheaper overall than the previous provider. Feel free to use my referral link if you are interested.

Hosting

Your hosting provider is the actual platform that connects your site to the internet. They also play a significant role in your site speed and any downtime on their end results in downtime on your website. What you are looking for in a hosting provider is a consistent, reputable brand.

I have personally used HostGator for over 4 years without any issue. For a small scale site, I’ve had no issues (although I actually host 5 websites through them, all without any issues over 4 years). HostGator also has the cheapest unlimited-domain package that I’ve found, which is why I’ve chosen to stay with them. It costs me no extra money per month to add my friend’s websites to my package, and they pass me a fraction of the money they were paying before.

The one caveat to these shared plans is that they are designed for low-traffic websites like personal brands and if you get too much traffic, you will be asked to upgrade to a more expensive plan. That being said, its a great option when starting out various websites and they have incredibly cheap starter packages.

Content Management System

You no longer have to rely on HTML & CSS to build a website. By utilizing a content management system, you can easily edit your site and build something that is visually appealing. You can even speed up your site creation by customizing pre-built themes. I personally use WordPress, as well as premium themes from GeneratePress that allows me to build high-speed websites very quickly.

Summary

If you haven’t built a website for yourself yet, now is the time to do it. For just a handful of dollars per month, you can begin investing in yourself and letting the world know your worth.

Not Sure Where To Start With Your Personal Site? Drop Me A Line!

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