What’s the difference between the account name and a property?
Short Answer: An account is a container that holds different properties, where each property represents a distinct digital asset like a website or an app associated with your business.
Full Explanation
In digital analytics, every account acts as an umbrella for multiple properties. Properties are the individual entities you want to track, and each one is unique. For example, if your business operates both a website and an app, these would be set up as separate properties within the same account. This distinction helps you organize and analyze data for each platform independently, while still managing everything under one overall account.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Step 1: Start by creating an account that represents your overall organization or business presence.
- Step 2: Within that account, set up properties for each digital asset. Properties could be your website, mobile app, or other platforms.
- Step 3: Use the properties to collect and view data separately, ensuring precise tracking tailored to each unique platform.
- Step 4: Manage your analytics across all properties centrally from your main account dashboard.
Real Examples
If a business owns a website for online shopping and also offers a mobile app for purchases, these are considered distinct properties. Both the website and the app exist under the same account but have their data tracked separately for accurate analysis and reporting.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the account with a single property and trying to track multiple platforms under one property.
- Setting up multiple accounts unnecessarily instead of using properties to differentiate platforms.
- Failing to separate website and app data, which can lead to inaccurate reporting and analysis.
FAQs
- Can I have multiple properties under one account? Yes, that is exactly how accounts and properties are designed to function.
- Is each property a separate website or app? Each property represents a distinct digital asset like a website or app, so yes.
- Do I need a new account for every website or app? No, you can manage multiple properties under a single account.
Key Takeaways
- An account is a higher-level organizational unit that holds multiple properties.
- Properties are unique entities such as your business website or app.
- Using properties within one account helps you organize and analyze data effectively across different platforms.