Google Analytics & WordPress: A Word to the Not So Wise!

[StephenT]

Many of you probably know this, but I just found out and it fires me! If you change themes in wordpress and you have Google analytics installed, you must re-install it in the new footer, Duh! It won't me in the new theme footer and you won't have stats for your site!

[tracyr]

Are you using a plugin for analytics?

I use http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/ and I've never had a problem with changing themes.

If you are using a plugin, it could be you just need to add a bit of code??? I'm sure Traci or one of the other more knowledgeable can help out better

[retta719]

I forgot to grab my code once and thought that my site stats had plummeted into oblivion. Then I realized I changed the site design and forgot to grab my code snippet.

[StephenT]

I forgot to grab my code once and thought that my site stats had plummeted into oblivion. Then I realized I changed the site design and forgot to grab my code snippet.

Yep, that's exactly what I did. I usually check my stats on Monday, but decided to check early and found that my blog had plummeted in visits. The I remembered that I had changed themes. So now, I don't have anything for the last week. :mad:

Tracy, I don't use a plugin but just put the code from Google in the footer. Problem is, when you change themes, you change the footer.

[watzzupsport]

HaHA SteveT

I did the exact same thing, changed the theme ,a happy chappy at the result then switched into panic mode when I saw the flat line on the stats.

Will have to check out that plugin not that I change themes often.

A lot of what I am reading lately is leading me to think the theme is not the thing you should spend any time on if you are pursuing the affiliate marketing model.

Just find a relevant theme and add specific seo plugins and go with that.

[TraciKnoppe]

I don't use a plugin for Google Analytics, I just insert the code into the footer. So yep, changing themes, gotta add the new snippet of code.

I try to use as few plugins as possible, because when I upgrade WP, the plugins don't always then work & then either my site is 'broke' until I find another plugin, find a workaround without it, or the plugin developer decides to upgrade. Thus why I recommend do not download and install a plugin unless you know what it does, why YOU need it and how to properly use it.

Personally, I don't change themes much. I view a theme as part of the branding, so I select what I want, tweak it/customize it (or go with an entirely custom made theme) and leave it.

[cindybidar]

Don't feel bad, Steve. I think we've all discovered this the hard way. :)

[Rick Olsen]

I just went to Google Analytics and it said to paste this code into every webpage you want tracked before the </body> tag. Is this the code you're putting in the footer?

[watzzupsport]

Sounds like you have the right code Rick,that is what is you would do go to your footer and paste it in.

You will expect to see within 24hrs some stats arrive in your Google Analytics dashboard

[David Jackson]

Personally, I don't change themes much. I view a theme as part of the branding.

This is a simple statement that probably slipped by some people. But it's profound in its simplicity. Don't screw around with your brand, just for the sake of change. Build on it.

David Jackson

[wade_watson]

I certainly agree with Traci about keeping plugins to a minimum, but, personally, I consider Joost de Valk's fine Google Analytics plugin (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/) (mentioned earlier by tracyr) one of that minimum. Joost is one of world authorities on WordPress and does a good job of keeping his plugins up. I especially like his guide to WordPress SEO (http://yoast.com/articles/wordpress-seo/).

I'm not actually big on updating to the latest WordPress version unless l'm convinced it's been tested awhile and plugin authors have had time to update. While there is an occasional security fix, they can easily mess up something else.

I find this plugin is worth it to me to be able to tweak themes now and then. That's my 2 cents.

Wade Watson

[bar2k]

Hi Guys, I use Google Analyticator on all my blogs
More info on Google Analyticator (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analyticator/) It is not dependent on your Theme. You can even configure it to load in the footer of of your Wordpress page so that your pages load faster. I have used it with no problems for over a year on several blogs.