Set up GA4 but have no idea what counts as a goal — where should I start?

The biggest mistake beginners make is treating passive actions like spending 30 seconds on the site or scrolling 90 percent of the page as goals. That just creates a false sense of success in your dashboard. If you're managing a 160.000 RUB monthly budget, the only things that matter are incoming phone calls or submitted quote forms. Keep your goal list short and focused.

If you don't want to waste time messing with technical code, setting up a thank-you page is the cleanest way. If the user gets redirected to a page ending in "thank-you" after submitting the form just create a new event in GA4 for "page_view" where the "page_location" parameter contains that word, then flip the conversion switch right away. Takes ten minutes, tops.

When using DebugView, don't forget to send the test parameter via the browser extension. Most people look at the DebugView screen without enabling the extension and panic thinking no data is coming in. Also, don't use Turkish or Cyrillic characters or spaces in event names; stick to standard English naming conventions like 'generate_lead' or 'form_submit' instead of form_gonderimi.

We're in a similar niche getting around 4,000 unique visitors a month. In GA4, we only set form submissions and direct phone clicks as our goals. We average around 70 form fills and 45 phone calls per month. If we counted page views as goals, the dashboard would show 2,000 conversions, but it wouldn't add a single penny to the bottom line.

Be careful when setting messaging or phone clicks as primary goals in GA4. A user might click the WhatsApp or Telegram button, but change their mind once the app actually opens. Counting a click directly as a conversion can sometimes mislead ad algorithms. The true, definitive goal should always be a server-side verified form submission.

To track incoming calls, do you have a call-tracking setup on the site that shows dynamic numbers, or are you just tracking clicks on the link? Also, for the Russian market, are you running GA4 alongside the local search engine's analytics tool simultaneously?

Where exactly do we find this DebugView screen you mentioned? I went to the Admin tab but couldn't see it under Property settings does it require special permissions?

edit: fixed a few typos.

Bottom line is clear: 1) Don't set anything as a goal other than form submissions and phone clicks. 2) Create the event and flip the conversion toggle in GA4. 3) Test it with DebugView and push it live.

The cheap-looking path usually ends up costing more later. When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best.

Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I have a question, don't want to go off-topic though. The answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

Internal linking is the cheapest and most neglected task. I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

I'll argue the opposite, don't get mad. Don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more.

Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

Correct.

Sorry, but this doesn't apply in every case. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

I'd say don't rush. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say. Proven by experience.

Generally correct, but one part is missing. Trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

i'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake then honestly the real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more and anyway if you have questions write them; I'll answer as best I can.

Let me share my experience. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

I went through the same thing.