How to Install Google Analytics on Shopify?

One of the best practices before launching your Shopify store is to set up data tracking / visitor behavior measurement.

You can measure the behavior of your website visitors through Google Analytics (GA).

But first you’ll have to install and set up Google Analytics on your Shopify website.

Let’s go through the step-by-step Google Analytics installation/setup guide.

• Sign Up or Login to Gmail or Google Account
• Set Up Google Analytics
• Step 1: Account Setup
• Step 2: What Do You Want To Measure?
• Step 3: Property Setup
• Add Google Analytics Tracking Code to Shopify Website
• Verify Your Google Analytics Data

To use Google Analytics, you must have a Google account or a Gmail account.

You can use your existing Gmail account to login to Google Analytics.

Or register a new Google account (https://account.google.com/).

Now go to the official website of Google Analytics:

https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/

And login with your Google account (or Gmail account).

Set up Google Analytics for your website in 3 steps.

Set up the account by entering a new account name.

For example, the website using Google Analytics is going to be https://www.gordonchoi.com/, so set the account name to “GordonChoi.com“.

Under this account, you can create more than one Google Analytics Tracking ID.

Select what you want to measure (e.g. Website, Apps). You have 3 choices to measure:

• Web
• Apps
• Apps and Web

For your Shopify website, select Web.

You need to provide property details. i.e. A website that you’re measuring/tracking through Google Analytics is called a GA property.

• Enter your website name.
• Enter your website URL.
• Select an industry category for your Shopify website.
• Select a reporting time zone. For example, if you locate in Hong Kong, normally you’ll choose HK time.

Get the tracking code from within your Google Analytics account. The latest tracking code is “Global Site Tag (gtag.js)”.

The last step is to add the Google Analytics Tracking Code (GATC) to your Shopify store.

Login to your Shopify website. Under the left side menu, go to:

• Online Store
• Preferences

Previously you have copied the GATC from your Google Analytics account.

Under the Google Analytics section in your Shopify account, paste the Google Analytics tracking code and save.

You won’t see data showing up in your Google Analytics report right away. But once people started to visit your website, usually within 1-2 hours data will show up.

To get people to visit your website (for free), refer to this free traffic sources list, and you will be able to find several methods to bring the first 100 visitors to your site.

Regarding the installation/setup of Google Analytics on Shopify websites, I have written this Chinese version article.