TLDR: With the critical deadline of July 1, 2024, fast approaching, it’s essential to export and securely store your Universal Analytics (UA) data before it’s permanently lost forever. If you get stuck or need assistance contact Autograph at info@autographanalytics.com.
As the deadline of July 1, 2024, approaches, dealers must take immediate action to export and securely store their data from Universal Analytics (UA). After this date, all data processing and accessibility for Universal Analytics will cease, and unexported data will be permanently lost.
All Autograph dashboard clients benefit from our complimentary service, which seamlessly saves and integrates their Universal Analytics data with their GA4 data.
The Risks of Losing Historical Data
Loss of Historical Insights:
- Historical data helps identify trends, seasonality, and long-term patterns.
- Without it, comparing current performance to past benchmarks is impossible, hindering growth measurement and improvement identification.
Impact on Decision-Making:
- Robust datasets with historical info are crucial for data-driven decisions.
- Losing this data leads to incomplete analyses and misguided strategies.
- Historical data supports forecasting and future business planning.
Continuity in Marketing Strategies:
- Past performance data refines and optimizes marketing campaigns.
- Without it, understanding successful strategies becomes challenging.
The Value of Preserving Historical Data
Trend Analysis:
- Historical data reveals how metrics evolve, identifying successful strategies and areas for improvement.
Benchmarking:
- Establishes realistic goals and measures progress, aiding continuous improvement and competitive advantage.
Enhanced Customer Insights:
- Reveals customer behavior, preferences, and lifecycle insights for personalized marketing and improved satisfaction.
Optimization of Business Processes:
- Identifies inefficiencies and wastage, leading to better resource allocation and operational efficiency.
Support for Machine Learning and AI Initiatives:
- Historical data is critical for machine learning and AI, enabling accurate predictions and advanced business insights.
Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Your UA Data
Export Individual Reports
Exporting individual reports from UA into various formats is straightforward and useful for specific datasets:
- CSV: Suitable for simple data storage and basic analyses.
- TSV: Tab-separated values, ideal for applications using tabs instead of commas.
- TSV for Excel: Optimized for Excel.
- Excel (XLSX): For direct export into Excel for easy manipulation.
- Google Sheets: For collaboration and further analysis in Google Sheets.
- PDF: For readable, static reports ideal for sharing and archiving.
How to Export:
- Navigate to the desired report in your UA property.
- Click the “Export” button.
- Select your preferred format.
Use the Google Analytics Reporting API
For extensive data exports, automating the process or handling large datasets is highly recommended.
Steps:
- Go to the Google Analytics Reporting API documentation.
- Set up your API credentials in the Google Cloud Platform.
- Write a script to fetch data using the API, specifying the dimensions and metrics you need.
- Export the data to your preferred storage solution, such as Google Cloud Storage or Looker Studio.
Install the Google Sheets Add-on for Analytics
This method is convenient for those who prefer working within Google Sheets.
Steps:
- Install the Google Sheets Analytics Add-on.
- Open a new or existing Google Sheet.
- Click on “Add-ons” > “Google Analytics” > “Create new report.”
- Configure your report by selecting the relevant metrics and dimensions.
- Run the report to fetch and populate the data into your Google Sheet.
Export Data to BigQuery (Google Analytics 360 Customers Only)
For Google Analytics 360 customers, exporting data to BigQuery allows for advanced querying and integration with other datasets.
Steps:
- Ensure your UA property is linked to BigQuery.
- Go to the Admin section of your UA property, then to the BigQuery linking section.
- Configure your export settings to specify which data should be exported.
- Access your exported data in BigQuery for complex analysis and storage.
Conclusion
Exporting your Universal Analytics data before July 1, 2024, is crucial to avoid losing valuable historical insights. By following these steps, you can ensure that your data is securely stored and accessible for future analysis.
Stay Ahead with Autograph Analytics Ensure your business remains data-driven and informed. Let Autograph Analytics assist you in preserving your historical data and leveraging new opportunities with Google Analytics 4.
If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure your data is safe and secure. Contact us at info@autographanalytics.com for expert assistance.