As you may already know, starting in July Google will be transitioning to Google Analytics 4. You may have noticed a prominent countdown when logging into your Google Analytics account, highlighting this upcoming change.
Should you switch from Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is free because Google has built their company and their wealth by collecting and analyzing huge amounts of personal information from web users and using these personal and behavioral insights to sell advertisements. Google Analytics is overkill for most websites. It’s a powerful but complex tool that takes time to understand and requires training. Google Analytics collects way too many data points and most people find real and regular use for only a fraction of the data it measures.
Dealing with Google Analytics can be a cumbersome, time consuming and painful process that requires a lot of training and support.
What are the issues?
- Data privacy concerns: Google knows a lot about you and your visitors. Why exploit your users for big tech profit?
- Other companies sell software, not data
- You should own your data
- Alternatives have no need for annoying cookie banners
- Google's complicated and complex interface (as evidenced by this latest GA4 migration)
- Google's confusing user management requiring Google logins
- Alternatives are often more lightweight and less impact on page loading
But Google is "Free"
We believe the low cost of some alternatives are well worth the data privacy and simplicity alternatives offer. You may recall the quote, "If you're not paying for the product, then you're the product.”
Why not switch?
If you are highly integrated into the Google ad platform, or have already migrated to GA4, it may be easier to stay with Google Analytics.
What are your options?
- Option 1: Do nothing. Let Google Analytic sunset. No charge.
- Option 2: We can assist in migrating to Google Analytics 4 ($115).
- Option 3: Migrate to new privacy-friendly web analytics alternative with Third Sun ($115).
Ongoing fees will be covered by Third Sun to clients on support contracts. You will have your own login and access and can always move to your own account as well. - Option 4: Migrate yourself to GA4, or set up your own third party account. Send Third Sun new code to implement (no charge).
If you want to set up your own alternative account, these are some options we've identified that would work well for clients: