As an e-commerce brand, having access to accurate and insightful data is crucial for making informed business decisions. Google Analytics (GA) has been a reliable tool for measuring website traffic and behavior for years. However, with the introduction of GA4, the latest version of Google Analytics, things have changed. GA4 offers more advanced and flexible reporting capabilities than the previous version, Universal Analytics. This post will guide Shopify brands on how to set up GA4 for Google Analytics and take advantage of its features.
What is GA4?
GA4 is the latest version of Google Analytics, which was launched in October 2020. It is an entirely new way of measuring user behavior and interactions on websites, apps, and other digital platforms. GA4 is designed to give users a better understanding of how their customers engage with their brand across various devices and touchpoints. It also provides more in-depth insights into customer behavior, making it easier to optimize marketing campaigns and improve the user experience.
Setting up GA4 for your Shopify store is a straightforward process that involves the following steps:
1. Create a GA4 property
To create a GA4 property:
Step 1: Go to the ‘Admin’ section of your Google Analytics account, select the ‘Create Property’ button, and choose the ‘Web’ option.
Step 2: From there, you will be prompted to enter your website’s URL, select the data sharing options, and agree to the terms of service.
Now that you’ve set up your GA4 property, it’s time to integrate it on your Shopify store.
2. Integrate GA4 property on your Shopify store
Once you have created your GA4 property, you will need to integrate the GA4 property with your Shopify store. To do this:
Step 1: Go to Online Store > Preferences > scroll down to Google Analytics setting.
Step 2: Then click Manage Pixel Here button, connect your Google account, and then Connect a Google Analytics Property (select the correct one, click Connect).
Step 3: Finally, you will go back to Online Store > Preferences > scroll down to Google Analytics setting — tick the Use Enhanced Ecommerce box.
With your Shopify now integrated, data should begin flowing into your GA4 property. It’s now time to make a few adjustments to your GA4 property to ensure you are set up for success.
3. Turn on Google Signals
Google Signals is a feature in Google Analytics that enables cross-device tracking, allowing you to better understand how users interact with your website across multiple devices. Here’s how you can turn on Google Signals in your GA4 property:
Step 1: Sign in to your Google Analytics account and select the GA4 property that you want to enable Google Signals for.
Step 2: Go to Admin > Setup Assistant > Click the arrow for Google Signals > Manage Google Signals
Step 3: Click the blue Get Started button > Continue > Activate
Step 4: Toggle on the “Granular location and device data collection”
Step 5: Review User Data Collection Acknowledgement and click agree [make sure you have the proper disclosures on your site] and click I Acknowledge
Once you’ve turned on Google Signals, you’ll be able to see additional data in your reports, such as cross-device conversion paths and user behavior across different devices. It’s important to note that this feature relies on users having turned on Ads Personalization in their Google Account, so the amount of data you’ll be able to collect may vary depending on your audience.
4. Adjust data settings
In GA4, you can adjust data settings for each data stream within a property. Here is how to set up your data settings for optimal results:
Step 1: Sign in to your Google Analytics account and select the GA4 property for which you want to adjust the data settings.
Step 2: Go to Data Settings > Data Retention
Step 3: Change Event data retention to 14 months
Step 4: Toggle on “Reset user data on new activity”
That’s it! By adjusting the data settings for a specific data stream, you can control which data is collected, how long it’s retained, and whether it’s shared with Google. Keep in mind that some data settings may impact your ability to use certain features or see certain reports in GA4.
Setup Your Store for Success with our GA4 Setup for Shopify Stores
So there you have it – our GA4 setup for Shopify stores! We hope you found this helpful and that this setup will allow you to track the data you need to make your Shopify store a success.
Want help taking your e-commerce store to the next level? Click here to learn more about Brandhopper Digital and see if your business is a good fit to work with us!