The easiest way to set up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for a Shopify store is by using the Google & YouTube Channel App. This method is straightforward and does not require manual code insertion, making it accessible even for users without technical expertise.
Here's a simplified guide:
Create a Google Analytics Account: Before anything else, ensure you have a Google account and create a Google Analytics 4 property. This is a prerequisite for tracking your Shopify store's data
Install the Google & YouTube Channel App: Navigate to your Shopify admin panel, go to the "Online store" section, and then "Preferences". Here, you'll find the option to manage your Google Analytics settings. If you haven't already installed the Google & YouTube Channel App, you'll be prompted to do so during this process.
Connect Your GA4 Property: After installing the app, you'll be asked to connect your Google account. Select the Tag ID for the GA4 property you wish to connect to your Shopify store and click "Connect your Google Analytics 4 property". This step integrates your Shopify store with GA4, enabling data tracking
Automatic Event Tracking: Once connected, GA4 automatically tracks certain e-commerce events, simplifying the process of gathering data about your store's performance
Now, let's set up a PushOwl report on GA4 for a deep dive.
Step 1: Access GA4 and Navigate to Custom Reports
Log into your Google Analytics account and select the GA4 property you're using to track PushOwl notifications.
In GA4, go to the "Explore" section. This area allows you to create custom reports, serving a similar purpose to dashboards in UA.
Step 2: Create a New Exploration
Within "Explore," click on the "+ Create" button to initiate a new exploration.
GA4 explorations offer extensive customization options, allowing for a flexible approach to data analysis.
Step 3: Configure Your Report for PushOwl Data
Shopify store owners commonly use a variety of dimensions, metrics, and segments to understand their store's performance and customer behavior.
Choose "source/medium" and "campaign" as dimensions to track the origin of your traffic and which PushOwl campaigns are driving it. For metrics, select "revenue" and "users" to measure the financial impact and reach of your notifications.
To specifically analyze PushOwl traffic, apply filters to your report. In GA4, you'll need to add a condition to include only traffic where the source/medium matches "pushowl". This is done in the "Filters" section of your exploration setup.
Here are some of the most used ones:
Dimensions and Metrics
Pageviews: This metric measures the total number of pages viewed by visitors to the store.
Sessions: This metric measures the total number of sessions in the store.
Conversion Rate: This metric provides an overview of how well the store is converting visitors into customers.
Average Order Value: This metric helps understand the average amount spent per order.
Bounce Rate: This metric measures the percentage of visitors who navigate away from the site after viewing only one page.
Item Views: This is the number of times a product was viewed.
Add-to-baskets: This is the number of times a product was added to a shopping cart.
Basket-to-view rate: This is the percentage of total product views that ended with the product added to the cart.
Purchase-to-view rate: This is the percentage of views that ended with the product being purchased.
Segments
Acquisition Metrics: These track how people find the store through organic search, direct, and referral traffic.
Behavior Metrics: These measure how visitors interact with the store, such as page views, time on the page, and page scroll depth.
Outcome Metrics: These measure the success of the store, such as revenue, transactions, and average order value.
RFM Segmentation: This evaluates customers' significance based on Recency (how recent is a customer's latest purchase), Frequency (how often they purchase), and Monetary Value (how much they spend).
These dimensions, metrics, and segments are used to gain insights into store performance, customer behavior, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They help store owners make data-driven decisions to optimize their product offerings, marketing strategies, and overall store performance
Step 4: Save and Share Your Report
After setting up your exploration with the desired dimensions, metrics, and filters, name your report "PushOwl" and save it. This makes it easy to access in the future and share with your team.
Step 5: Analyze Your PushOwl Data
Utilize your custom PushOwl report in GA4 to assess the effectiveness of your push notification campaigns. Examine trends, compare different campaigns, and use this data to improve your future notifications.
Additional Considerations
Attribution Models: GA4's event-based data model is different from UA's session-based model, which might affect how you interpret interactions and conversions from PushOwl notifications.
Real-Time Data: GA4 provides enhanced real-time reporting features, allowing you to monitor the immediate impact of your PushOwl campaigns.
Cross-Platform Tracking: If you're using PushOwl notifications across both web and mobile platforms, GA4's unified tracking approach offers a more comprehensive view of your audience's engagement.
Conclusion
Setting up a PushOwl dashboard in GA4 requires adapting to the platform's event-based model and utilizing the "Explore" section for custom report creation. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively track and analyze the performance of your PushOwl notifications in GA4, leveraging the platform's advanced analytics capabilities for deeper insights into your campaigns' impact.