Some of the most common complaints that we hear from Shopify merchants are:
“Google Analytics doesn’t show all my sales”
or
“I see way less revenue in Google Analytics compared to Shopify”
and many other versions of the same problems follow. First of all, it wouldn’t be wise to expect a 100% match between Shopify and Google Analytics because this is simply against the nature of data analytics. There are many reasons behind that.
However, it’s possible for you to get the optimum outcomes. We will provide you with top potential problems and solutions when applicable.
Common Problems
There is never one single reason for the discrepancies – it’s always about many reasons combined. Don’t underestimate any of the following points and check your case & settings one by one.
Here are the most common reasons for the mismatch between Shopify Analytics and Google Analytics:
Wrong Google Analytics setup
Sometimes the problem is way easier than it seems. An extra code or a missing setting can cause discrepancies. Make sure to follow our setup guides and advanced settings to have the best possible setup first.
Ad blockers, VPNs, Special Browsers
Today, a significant portion of internet users have an active ad-blocking extension installed. Also, more and more people are using VPNs and private browsers which potentially cause issues in tracking.
User Consent (GDPR – CCPA)
We have been surprised to see how many Shopify merchants have a wrong GDPR setup. Tracking doesn’t work even if the user provides consent, in this case, and consequently it causes more harm than good.
Shopify Apps for Subscription & Upsell & Checkout
Another underestimated point. When you don’t use Shopify’s regular checkout flows; the tracking scripts don’t work correctly.
Some other commons problems are:
- iOS 14.5 & Safari ITP limitations
- Custom Page Builder Apps
- Having too many scripts on your thank-you page
Solutions
While it is not possible to reach 100% accuracy in the data analytics world, there are ways to make it better:
- Execute a proper setup and double-check your setup with our setup & validation guides.
- Use Analyzify for your data analytics setup. Our setup and expert help will bring your setup into the best possible shape
- Have Server-Side tracking setup and get rid of the most disappointing problems by avoiding ad blockers, safari & similar issues.
- Stay away from custom checkout and page builder apps as much as possible.
Would you like to learn more on this topic?
- Check out our related blog post: Discrepancy Between Google Analytics & Shopify
- Have a look at Shopify related guide: Analytics discrepancies
