How to Add Google Conversion Tracking for Your Shopify Campaigns?
Introduction
Adding Google Conversion Tracking to your Shopify store is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of your Google Ads campaigns. However, the process can be confusing, especially when faced with new instructions that might seem daunting. This guide aims to break down the steps and make the process straightforward for you.
Why is Google Conversion Tracking Important?
Google Conversion Tracking allows you to measure the return on investment (ROI) from your Google Ads campaigns. By tracking how many conversions (sales, sign-ups, etc.) are attributed to your ads, you can better understand which strategies are effective and which need optimization.
Identifying the Problem
You've successfully set up conversion tracking for previous Google and Facebook ads but are struggling with the new instructions provided by Google for a recent campaign. This is a common issue, as Google frequently updates its processes and instructions, which can cause confusion.
Common Causes
- Instructions Change: Google routinely updates its guides and processes, which can lead to confusion.
- Technical Complexity: Google Ads involves complex settings that can be overwhelming for users not familiar with the platform.
- Lack of Documentation: Sometimes, the official documentation may not be clear or detailed enough.
Detailed Guide to Adding Google Conversion Tracking in Shopify
Here is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you add Google Conversion Tracking to your Shopify store and resolve the confusion.
Step 1: Access Your Google Ads Account
- Log into your Google Ads account.
- Navigate to the Tools and Settings menu and select Conversions under the Measurement section.
Step 2: Create a New Conversion Action
- Click on the + button to create a new conversion action.
- Choose the type of conversion you want to track (e.g., website, app, phone calls). For Shopify, you’ll usually choose Website.
- Fill in the necessary details like conversion name, value, count, and click Create and Continue.
Step 3: Install the Conversion Tracking Code in Shopify
- Once you create the conversion action, you will get a snippet of tracking code.
- Copy the Global Site Tag (gtag.js) snippet provided by Google.
- Log into your Shopify admin panel.
- Go to Online Store > Themes and click Actions > Edit Code.
- Find the theme.liquid file under the Layout directory.
- Paste the Global Site Tag code inside the
<head>tag of your theme.liquid file.
Step 4: Add the Event Snippet for the Conversion
- In Google Ads, you will also receive an Event Snippet code, which tracks specific actions like purchases.
- Copy this Event Snippet.
- Go back to your Shopify admin panel and navigate to Settings > Checkout.
- Scroll down to the Order Processing section and paste the Event Snippet in the Additional Scripts field.
- Save your changes.
Step 5: Verify the Setup
- Go back to your Google Ads account and click on Done after copying the code snippets.
- Use Google’s Tag Assistant Chrome extension to ensure the Global Site Tag and Event Snippet are correctly installed on your website.
- Make a test purchase on your website to verify if the conversion tracking works as expected.
Common Issues and How to Resolve Them
Problem: No Conversions are Being Recorded
Solution: Ensure that you have pasted both the Global Site Tag and Event Snippet correctly. Verify there are no typographical errors or missing code segments.
Problem: Duplicate Conversions
Solution: Ensure you have only one instance of the Global Site Tag and Event Snippet on your site to avoid double-counting conversions.
Related Questions
What if I Have Multiple Shopify Stores?
If you manage multiple Shopify stores, you’ll need to repeat this process for each store. Ensure you generate unique conversion actions and tracking codes for each store to track their performance separately.
Can I Track Different Conversion Types?
Yes, you can set up multiple conversion actions in Google Ads to track various actions such as sign-ups, purchases, or phone calls. Each action will require its own Event Snippet.
Conclusion
Adding Google Conversion Tracking to your Shopify store doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up comprehensive conversion tracking that provides valuable insights into your Google Ads campaigns. This will enable you to make data-driven decisions, optimize your marketing strategies, and ultimately improve your ROI.
If you find the process too complex, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a Shopify expert to ensure everything is set up correctly.
