One of my favorite plugins for WordPress is the Google Analyticator plugin that provides an easy way for you to interface your WordPress site with Google Analytics. There have been a couple times after upgrades that I wanted to verify that Google Analyticator was functioning properly and wasn’t exactly sure of the best method. After a couple emails back and forth with the developer he shared how he suggests to troubleshoot it and verify it is functioning properly. So thanks to Ronald Heft for providing not only the plugin but also for taking the time to share some extra information with me. Follow the directions below to verify the Google Analyticator plugin using the Firefox addon Firebug.
Verify Google Analyticator Functions Properly Using Firefox Addon Firebug:
If you are not familiar with the Firebug plugin then you will first need to install Firebug using Firefox. Installing Firebug is easy and can be done by simply visiting this link in Firefox and then clicking the green “Add To Firefox” button. After the Firebug addon installs you will need to restart Firefox.
After restarting Firefox visit the WordPress site that has Google Analyticator plugin installed. When you first visit the site the Firebug addon will not be active. In the below image notice the bug icon located in the lower right corner of Firefox.
Firefox With Firebug Addon Installed But Not Active:
Click the Firebug icon to launch start the Firefox Firebug addon. We will be focused on the Network information so click the Net tab which will display similar to the below.
Firefox Firebug Addon Network Tab:
As you will see the network information is disabled by default so click the arrow to the right of Net in the active Firebug tab and select Enabled which will change the display to the below.
Firefox Firebug Addon Network Information Activated:
Now that the network information will be recorded in Firebug you should refresh the WordPress site you want to verify the Google Analyticator plugin functionality on. This will display information similar to what is shown in the below image.
Firefox Firebug Plugin With Network Information Displaying:
The details we are looking for include a domain similar to google-analytics.com or the Google Analytics JavaScript which is currently titled “ga.js”. The below image displays the ga.js JavaScript request in Firebug.
Google Analytics ga.js JavaScript Request Displayed In Firebug:
The Google Analytics JavaScript is going to redirect to another URL which will probably display as a request right below the ga.js request. The URL will look something similar to the below Google Analytics request.
Google Analytics Request Pulled From Firebug:
- http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmwv=4.6.5&utmn=343642879&utmhn=www.question-defense.com&utmcs=UTF-8&utmsr=1280x800&utmsc=32-bit&utmul=en-us&utmje=1&utmfl=10.0%20r42&utmdt=Tools&utmhid=1062484250&utmr=0&utmp=%2Ftools&utmac=UA-5322487-1&utmcc=__utma%3D243655685.1533339835.1233334694.1264444182.1264307276.34%3B%2B__utmz%3D243655685.1263097172.27.4.utmcsr%3Dengage.question-defense.com%7Cutmccn%3D(referral)%7Cutmcmd%3Dreferral%7Cutmcct%3D%2F%3B%2B__utmv%3D233335685.admin%3B&gaq=1
If you see the above ga.js request as well as the redirect to a long URL similar to the one above then Google Analyticator is functioning properly web analytics information is being sent properly to Google Analytics.
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Great post. Another use for this is to verify external links and downloads are being tracked correctly. By looking for a new request when clicking on external link or download, you can verify link tracking is working correctly.
I’ll be doing a quick blog post about your article and also adding this to the Analyticator FAQ.
Hello Ronald,
Thanks for responding and linking to the article. I look forward to continuing to use Google Analyticator in the future.
If there is anything we can do to help or whatever in the future just let us know.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks so much! I’ve been having a lot of trouble with my Google analytics on my site and I figured out I had a couple instances of code running at once from widgets and manual code. Figured it out instantly with your tutorial! Thanks!
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Hello Darren,
No problem at all. Glad you found the tutorial helpful. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex