Did you know that the conversion rate for online shoppers globally is a mere 1.9%? There is a vast pool of online shoppers on the verge of making a purchase. As a Shopify store owner, the best way to drive up the conversation rate for your e-commerce store is to take advantage of the power of analytics.
Google Analytics has been the mainstay of website tracking for years now. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version and will be the foundation for all future developments Google has in store for us. So, to say that adding GA4 to your Shopify store is a must is an understatement, to say the least.
This blog will guide you through the three methods (via the Shopify Admin, using the Google Tag Manager, and using the Shopify App) to add Google Analytics to your Shopify store.
Table of Contents
Google Analytics 4: A Brief Overview
Google Analytics 4 is the most recent iteration of Google Analytics. GA4 uses an event-based model, unlike the session-based model its predecessor, Universal Analytics (UA), uses.
In short, a session-based model tracks user interaction with your website within a specific time frame. This model worked well for understanding general user behavior patterns.
On the other hand, the event-based model that GA4 uses tracks each user interaction (an event), be it a click, a share, a download, and so on, thus allowing for deeper insights into user engagement.
What Benefits does GA4 Offer over UA?
GA4 offers a host of benefits over UA, such as:
- Data capture across websites and apps: GA4 can track a customer journey across all your websites and apps, thus giving you a holistic view of the same. As a result, you’ll be able to track and analyze data from platforms like Google, YouTube, Meta, and everything in between.
- Detailed and Customizable Reporting: With access to data from nearly all customer touchpoints, GA4 offers deeper insights into your online performance. Moreover, unlike the limited set of reports UA offers, which only tracks website data, with GA4, you can generate customized reports to better understand and tweak your online marketing strategy and also track mobile and website data.
- Predictive Analysis Powered by Machine Learning: GA4 offers ‘Analytics Intelligence,’ which uses machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict user behavior based on historical data. It is also capable of detecting changes in data trends, i.e., changes in customer behavior—information that will help you plan and optimize future marketing strategies.
- Improved Customer Privacy: GA4 prioritizes customer privacy and operates in accordance with international privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Why is GA4 Important for Shopify Store Owners?
Staying afloat in the world of e-commerce hinges on capitalizing on every minute advantage you can gain over your competition. Upgrading Shopify’s Google Analytics to GA4 will help you capture the full spectrum of user interactions. Combined with predictive analytics, it will give you all the information you need to craft targeted strategies that can convert casual browsing into a sale.
Preparing for Installation
There are a few preliminary tasks you need to perform before you can add Google Analytics to Shopify. Let’s go through each of them.
The first step is to create a Google Analytics account. Head to the Google Analytics webpage and log into your account. If you don’t have one, click “Create Account.”
Assuming you are creating an Analytics account for the first time, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Create an Account
- If you do not have a Google Analytics account, click “Create” and select “Account” from the drop-down menu.
- You will be directed to the Google Analytics account creation process pictured below.
| 🖋️Note: If you are creating a Google Analytics account for the first time, you will automatically be on the page below. |
- Now, enter an account name. Ensure the account name you add is related to your online business. Just below this, you will see the “Account Data Sharing Settings” section, where you can choose what data you are willing to share with Google.
| 🖋️Note: We recommend selecting all of them to make the most of GA4. |
- Click “Next” when you are done.
Step 2: Create a Property
A ‘property’ in Google Analytics 4 is a container or folder that contains all the website and/or app data collected from a specific source.
You can also create a property that gathers data from multiple sources if you require more advanced reporting.
- Give your property a name, choose the time zone you want your reports to use, select your preferred currency, and click “Next”.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Information
- Enter the category your business operates in and the size of your business.
- Click “Next”.
Step 4: Choose your Business Objectives
Your choices in this section will help GA4 customize its reports to best suit your business objectives.
- You must choose at least one option here, and you can select the first four options together.
| 🖋️Note: The final option, “Get baseline reports,” provides a primary range of reports covering several aspects of user behavior across the customer journey. |
- Choose the best option for your business needs and click “Create”.
You will be prompted to review Google Analytics’s Terms of Service Agreement.
Once done, click “I Accept”.
Step 5: Set up a Data Stream
Now, we get to the final step of this process: setting up a data stream. A data stream is from where GA4 will collect data, which, in this case, will be your Shopify Store.
- Click on “Web” and enter all the information as requested, i.e., the URL to your Shopify store and a name to identify this data stream.
To get the most out of GA4, you should also enable the “Enhanced Measurement” checkbox. This will measure any interactions on your website in addition to the usual webpage-related SEO metrics.
- Once done, click “Create and Continue”.
You should now see your data stream listed as shown below.
Step 6: Take Note of the Measurement ID
Your newly created data stream’s measurement ID is a vital piece of information you would need when installing GA4 in your Shopify Store.
- To access it, click on the data stream you have just created. A window will slide in with all the information regarding your data stream.
Your Measurement ID will be in the top right-hand corner of this window. Save it somewhere handy. The next step is to install GA4 in your Shopify store.
Adding Google Analytics to Shopify
You can add Google Analytics 4 to your Shopify account through these 3 methods:
Method 1: Installing GA4 Using Shopify Admin
Let’s explore this method step-by-step:
1. Access Your Shopify Admin
To start installing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) in your Shopify store, you must first go to the Shopify admin page. Do these things:
- Open your web browser and go to the Shopify login page.
- Type your specific login credentials.
- Click “Log in” to get to your admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store Settings
- You can find it on the left side of your manager dashboard after you log in.
- Click on “Online Store” to expand the drop-down.
- Choose “Preferences” from the menu. This will take you to the page where you can change your Google Analytics settings.
3. Add GA4 Tracking Code
The tracking code can be easily added to the theme file of your online store. For this, you have to visit the Shopify Themes section & follow the steps below –
- In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
- Click on the “Actions” drop-down menu next to your current theme and select “Edit Code”
4. Edit Code
- In the code editor, locate the “Layout” directory on the left sidebar.
- Click on the theme.liquid file. This file contains the overall structure of your website.
5. Paste Tracking Code
- Scroll through the theme.liquid file to find the <head> section.
- Paste your GA4 tracking code directly before the closing </head> tag. The GA4 tracking code can be obtained from your Google Analytics account under the “Admin” section by navigating to your GA4 property and selecting “Data Streams”.
- Click “Save” to apply the changes.
6. Verify Installation
GA4 DebugView:
- Go to your Google Analytics account.
- Select the GA4 property for your Shopify store.
- In the left-hand menu, click on “Configure” and then select “DebugView”.
- Open your Shopify store in a new browser tab and perform any actions.
- Check the DebugView to see if these actions are being recorded. This shows that your tracking code is working correctly.
Google Tag Assistant:
- Install the Google Tag Assistant Chrome extension.
- Open your Shopify store and activate the extension by clicking on the Google Tag Assistant icon in your browser toolbar.
- Reload the Shopify store page. The extension will display a report indicating if the GA4 tag is working.
Method 2: Installing GA4 Using Google Tag Manager
Now, we’ll use GTM or Google Tag Manager to see how you can install GA4 to Shopify. Follow the steps below:
1. Set up Google Tag Manager
- Visit the Google Tag Manager website and sign in with your Google account. Click on “Create Account” and fill in the necessary details for your Shopify store.
- Enter a name for your container (e.g., your store’s name), select “Web” as the target platform, and click “Create.” You will receive two snippets of code.
2. Install GTM on Shopify
- Access your Shopify admin panel and navigate to “Online Store” > “Themes.”
- Click on “Actions” next to your active theme and select “Edit Code.” Open the theme.liquid file.
- Paste the first part of the GTM code right after the opening <head> tag and the second part immediately after the opening <body> tag. Save your changes.
3. Create a GA4 Tag
- Log into your GTM account, select your container, and click on “Tags” > “New.”
- Click on “Tag Configuration” and select “Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration.”
- Enter your GA4 Measurement ID.
- Click on “Triggering” and select the “All Pages” trigger. This ensures the GA4 tag fires on every page of your Shopify store.
- Name your tag appropriately (e.g., “GA4 – All Pages”) and click “Save.”
4. Publish the Container
- Click on “Preview” in the GTM dashboard to enter debug mode. This opens a new tab where you can verify if your tags are working correctly as you navigate your store.
- Once you confirm that everything is working correctly in preview mode, return to GTM, click “Submit,” add a version name and description, and click “Publish.”
5. Verify Installation
- Use GTM’s built-in debugging tools to ensure that your tags are firing as expected. In debug mode, you can see a detailed log of all tag activities.
- In your GA4 property, navigate to “Admin” > “DebugView” to see real-time data and verify that events are being tracked correctly.
Method 3: Using a Shopify App
You can even use a Shopify app for adding GA4. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Select an App
Apps can make it easier to connect GA4 to Shopify. The Shopify App Store offers popular apps such as Wixpa GA4, Analyzify, and Analyzely. These apps have features like simple integration, real-time data, server-side integration, and better e-commerce reporting.
Important Things to Look for:
- Automatic Setup: Makes sure that merging goes smoothly and quickly.
- Real-Time Analytics: This lets you track and analyze data right away.
- Event Tracking: Keeps track of all customer contacts and e-commerce events.
- Server-Side Integration: To keep track of data more accurately and make browser restrictions less severe.
- Support and Troubleshooting: Reliable customer service to help with setup and problems.
2. Install the App
- Check out the Shopify App Store and look for the app you want.
- To start the download process, click on the app and choose “Add App”.
- Give the app the permissions it needs to view the data in your store.
- To finish the application, just follow the steps shown on the screen.
3. Configure the App
- Open the app in your Shopify admin.
- Enter your GA4 Measurement ID or follow the app’s setup to link your GA4 account.
- Configure the tracking settings according to your requirements. Most apps offer options for tracking different events.
4. Verify Installation
- Make sure the GA4 tracking is set up properly by using the app’s built-in verification tools.
- Look for debugging tools that can help you find and fix problems.
- Check that events are being tracked properly by looking at real-time data in GA4’s DebugView.
- Install and run the Google Tag Assistant browser add-on to make sure that tags are being used correctly and to find and fix any problems.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
To make sure the setup goes smoothly, it’s helpful to know about common issues, how to fix them, and where to find support materials. Here is a guide to help you figure out what’s wrong and fix it.
1. Common Problems
You might run into a few problems even if you carefully set everything up. A lot of people have trouble installing GA4. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Misplacement of the Tracking Code: One of the most common problems is putting the GA4 tracking code in the wrong part of the theme.liquid file or either leaving out both parts of the GTM code.
- Missing Access: Tracking won’t work properly if the Google Tag Manager (GTM) or the app you choose doesn’t have the right access.
- Conflicting Scripts: Running more than one analytics script simultaneously can lead to errors and conflicting data.
- Improper Tags and Triggers: If you don’t set up your tags and triggers correctly in GTM, data may not be sent to GA4.
- Delayed Data: GA4 can sometimes take too long to process data, which can make users think their setup is wrong when they’re just waiting for information to load.
2. Debugging Tips
These debugging tips can help you fix these usual problems:
Tip 1: Check Code Placement
Make sure that the GA4 tracking code and GTM pieces are in the right place in the theme.liquid file. The first part of the GTM code should come right after the <head> tag, and the second part should come right after the <body> tag.
Tip 2: Use Debugging Tools
You can use GA4’s DebugView and Google Tag Assistant to monitor data in real time and look for mistakes in tag usage. These tools can help determine whether the tags are firing properly and sending the data to GA4.
Tip 3: Look at the Permissions
Make sure that the integration app, or GTM, has all the rights it needs. This means that the tools can’t send or view data without the right permissions.
Tip 4: Verify Tag and Trigger Configurations
Make sure that your tags and triggers are set up properly in GTM. One way to do this is to set a trigger in a GA4 setup tag to fire on all pages. This will let you keep track of page views across the whole site.
Tip 5: Clear Your Cache
Sometimes, computer caches can prevent tracking codes from working correctly. To test your setup, clear your browser’s cache and cookies or open a new window without being tracked.
Tip 6: Wait for Data
If you just set up GA4, wait a little while. Data can take 24 hours to appear in GA4 files.
3. Support Resources
When troubleshooting, it’s very helpful to have access to reliable support tools. You can get help in the following places:
- Google Analytics Help Center: The Google Analytics Help Center has detailed instructions and papers on how to fix a variety of GA4 problems.
- Shopify Help Center: To get help and detailed directions on how to connect Google Analytics to Shopify, go to the Shopify Help Center.
- Google Tag Manager Community: Connect with the Google Tag Manager community on sites like the Google Tag Manager Help Community. You can ask questions and get answers from other users and experts.
- Support for Apps: If you’re using a third-party app to integrate GA4, check out its support pages. Many apps have helpful instructions and quick response times for customer service to help you fix problems.
- YouTube Videos: There are many lessons on YouTube that show how to set up and fix problems with GA4 and GTM. If you’re new to these tools, these visual tips can be very helpful.
Best Practices for Using GA4 with Shopify
To get the most out of GA4 on your Shopify store, you need to follow best practices that make collecting and analyzing data easier. Here are some important tips:
Tip 1: Enhance E-commerce Tracking
Better tracking for online shopping gives you more information about how customers act and how well your sales are doing. This function collects information at different points in the customer journey, from first impressions of the product to actual purchases.
- Setup: In GA4, go to the “Admin” area and pick the property you want to use. Your stream will appear in the list of data streams. Click on “Enhanced Measurement.”
- Configuration: For e-commerce, make sure that events like view_item, add_to_cart, begin_checkout, and buy are tracked. You can use Google Tag Manager (GTM) or a Shopify app that allows better tracking for online stores to do this.
Tip 2: Track Event
Event tracking is necessary to understand how users engage with content beyond viewing pages. Purchases, “add to cart” actions and product views are all important events to monitor.
- Purchases: Use the purchase event to keep track of when a purchase is finished. This helps measure how well sales are going and how many people are actually buying.
- Add-to-Cart: The add_to_cart event lets you keep track of when users put items in their shopping carts. This can give you information about how people are interested in a product and how they shop.
- Product Views: The view_item event tracks when a person looks at more information about a product. This information helps determine a product’s popularity and engagement.
Conclusion
When making data-based choices, you must make sure that GA4 is properly installed on your Shopify store. GA4 helps you learn more about how your customers act, make your marketing more effective, and eventually improve your store’s performance. Advanced features in GA4 let you stay ahead of the competition and grow your business.
You can start tracking the success of your Shopify store right away with GA4. Just pick the method that works best for you. Whether you like the freedom of Google Tag Manager, the ease of use of a Shopify app, or the manual setup of Shopify Admin, making sure that your tracking is accurate and complete is key to getting useful information and making your e-commerce business successful.
FAQs
What is the easiest method to install Google Analytics 4 on Shopify?
Use Shopify’s built-in integration under Online Store > Preferences > Google Analytics. Enter your GA4 Measurement ID.
Can I use Google Tag Manager to install Google Analytics 4 on Shopify?
Yes, you can by simply adding the GA4 tag in GTM, firing on all pages, and publishing changes.
How do I set up Google Analytics 4 using the Shopify admin settings?
Go to Online Store > Preferences > Google Analytics, paste your GA4 Measurement ID, and save changes.
What steps are involved in adding Google Analytics 4 code directly to my Shopify theme?
To add Google Analytics 4 code directly to your Shopify theme, access Shopify Admin > Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code. Paste the GA4 global site tag in the theme.liquid’s <head>.
How can I verify that Google Analytics 4 is correctly installed on my Shopify store?
To verify, use Google Tag Assistant or real-time reports in GA4 to confirm active tracking.
How do I configure e-commerce tracking in Google Analytics 4 for Shopify?
To configure e-commerce tracking, set up enhanced e-commerce in GA4 by enabling relevant parameters in Shopify and adding code snippets.
Can I use both Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 simultaneously on Shopify?
Yes, you can, but you have to manage IDs separately for that. For existing data continuity, use Universal Analytics, and for enhanced features, use GA4.
What are some best practices for optimizing Google Analytics 4 on Shopify?
Some best practices are to set up goals, events, and custom dimensions. For deeper insights, use enhanced measurement.
Do I need any special permissions or plugins to install Google Analytics 4 on Shopify?
No, you do not need any special permissions or plugins to install Google Analytics 4 on Shopify. Use Shopify’s native settings or GTM for installation.
