Aqila Media
Web Development
Top 6 Ways You Can Add Google Analytics to WordPress Without Plugin

Top 6 Ways You Can Add Google Analytics to WordPress Without Plugin

1. Adding Code Directly to Your Theme’s `header.php` File

One of the most straightforward methods to add Google Analytics to your WordPress site is by directly inserting the tracking code into your theme’s header.php file.

Steps:

Get Your Google Analytics Tracking Code:

Sign up or log in to your Google Analytics account and set up a property for your website.
Navigate to the Admin section, then go to Tracking Info > Tracking Code, and copy the Global Site Tag (gtag.js).

Insert Code into header.php:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor.
Find and open header.php from your theme files.
Paste the copied tracking code right before the closing </head> tag.
Save the changes.

Considerations:

This method is simple but risky because updates to your theme can overwrite the header.php file, removing the tracking code.

Also See: 10 Best Content Locker WordPress Plugins for 2024

2. Using a Child Theme

To avoid losing your changes during theme updates, you can add the Google Analytics code to a child theme.

Steps:

Create a Child Theme:

Create a new folder in wp-content/themes/ named after your child theme.
Create a style.css file with the following header:
css /* Theme Name: Your Theme Child Template: your-theme */
Replace your-theme with the name of your parent theme.
Create a functions.php file.

Copy Header from Parent Theme:

Copy the header.php file from the parent theme into the child theme folder.
Open the copied header.php and paste the Google Analytics code just before the </head> tag.

Activate the Child Theme:

Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard and activate the child theme.

Considerations:

This approach keeps your customizations safe during theme updates.

3. Adding Code via Theme Customizer or Custom Code Sections

Some themes offer a custom code section where you can add scripts without editing theme files directly.

Steps:

Access the Customizer:

Go to Appearance > Customize.
Look for a section like Additional CSS, Custom Scripts, or Header/Footer Scripts.

Insert the Code:

Paste the Google Analytics tracking code into the appropriate section.
Save and publish the changes.

Considerations:

This method varies depending on your theme and may not be available in all themes.

Also See: How to Setup Gmail SMTP in WordPress the Right Way (To Send Emails) – Easy Guide

4. Using the `functions.php` File

You can also add the tracking code by editing the functions.php file of your theme or child theme.

Steps:

Edit functions.php:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor and open functions.php.
Add the following code to insert the tracking script into the header: function add_google_analytics() { ?>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=YOUR_TRACKING_ID"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'YOUR_TRACKING_ID'); </script> <?php } add_action('wp_head', 'add_google_analytics');
Replace YOUR_TRACKING_ID with your actual Google Analytics tracking ID.

Save Changes:

Save the changes to functions.php.

Considerations:

Editing functions.php is safer than editing header.php directly, especially if you use a child theme.

5. By Creating Your Own Plugin

If you prefer not to edit theme files, you can create a custom plugin to add the tracking code.

Steps:

Create the Plugin File:

Create a new folder named site-specific-plugin in wp-content/plugins/.
Create a PHP file named site-specific-plugin.php and add the following code: <?php /* Plugin Name: Site Specific Plugin Description: A site-specific plugin to add custom code. */ function add_google_analytics() { ?>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=YOUR_TRACKING_ID"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'YOUR_TRACKING_ID'); </script> <?php } add_action('wp_head', 'add_google_analytics');

Activate the Plugin:

Zip the folder, upload it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, and activate it.

Considerations:

This method keeps your tracking code intact regardless of theme changes.

6. Using a Third-Party Service with Script Manager

Some third-party services or CDNs offer script management that allows you to inject scripts into your WordPress site without directly editing code.

Steps:

Choose a Service:

Services like Cloudflare can inject scripts into your site.
Sign up and configure your website in the service.

Add the Script:

Use the service’s interface to add the Google Analytics tracking code to your site’s head section.

Considerations:

This method can be more complex to set up and may require additional configuration.

Conclusion

Adding Google Analytics to your WordPress site without a plugin is entirely possible and offers greater control and customization. Whether you choose to edit your theme files directly, use a child theme, or employ a custom plugin, the key is to ensure the tracking code is correctly placed in the header of your site. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your comfort level and website management style.

By following these steps, you can efficiently track your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions to improve your content and user experience.