Custom Definitions in Google Analytics 

Info block data is great, there's less pages to update, dynamic filters for users, and search features to help find exactly what people want.  The problem is that Analytics needs help understanding what events to track so it can report back accruate usage information.

Creating Custom Definitions is something that requires a higher level access than just viewer.  

Understanding Custom Definitions

The Campus calendar used to have a page for each division/department.  Now that all events are on a single page we need to use Custom Definitions to track which events are being opened for more details so we get a better understanding of which items users are looking at.

The video below will provide you more information about Custom Dimensions and why we would want to use them, and shows you how creating a custom dimension allows you to get reports that are useful to you.

V5 Template Data

To make it easier to manage we have already created event tracking from the info block side.  We send data to Analytics when info blocks are opened, blog previews are clicked on, filters are set, and searches are made.

Setting up a custom definition takes just a few minitues, but the data won't be available for reports (outside of real-time) for at least 24 and up to 48/72 hours.

Data is not compiled from previously recorded events.  Data is only availble from when the custom definition is created and moving forward. 

Don't wait until the end of the semester thinking you'll get information about past days.

Set the site's custom dimensions

Below we'll walk you through the process of creating your own dimensions.  If you wanted the video you notice that they had a form id that was set as a dimension.  Below we provide you with the dimensions that can/should be set up for each website in order to give better report data.

Open Custom Definitions

Start with the admin panel.  In the lower left corner you'll find a gear icon that will open the admin panel with Analytics.

1. Log into Google Analytics and find the account you want to update
2. The gear icon in the lower left corner will open the admin panel
3. In the Property panel you'll see a list of options.  Look for the Custom definitions item.
    
4. The Custom definitions should now be opened with any existing Custom dimensions showing in a table.

Create custom dimension

On the top of the table you should find a button that reads "Create custom dimension".  Click on that to open the set up form.

The Custom Dimensions

The list below is the standard dimensions that are ready to be created in any V5 site as long as it is running v5.14 templates.

After opening the new custom dimension, clicking on the create custom dimension, the form will appear.

Dimension Name can be anything you want, but we recommend using letters and underscore "_" without spaces or hypens "-".

The Scope field is set to "Event" for all the dimensions below.

Description is a free form field to provide better context as to what these fields mean

Event parameter will be provided for each dimension below.