Using Google Analytics with Redirect
Last updated
Last updated
Google Analytics and Google Ads need special consideration when crossing domains. To properly track activity from storefront - to checkout - to completed sale requires additional setup on each site. Without these steps tracking information is lost when it crosses domains.
Google has posted detailed information on how to setup, configure and implement Google Analytics. On the Checkout Champ side, a standard GA4 integration should only require you add your GA4 ID (G-XXXXXXX) to your Tracking Pixels settings. Entry of a Google Analytics Tracking ID in Checkout Champ automatically places the Google Analytics tracking code on your checkout site.
For more involved implementations or custom scripting, please refer to Google's GA4 setup documentation, here:
Please note: Google states cross-domain tracking is not required for subdomains using GA4. For example, a store redirecting traffic from a store front at “domain.com” to a checkout at “checkout.domain.com” should not require cross-domain tracking setup.
However, for checkout flows where your storefront may reside at “mystore.com” and your checkout resides on a separate domain, like “mycheckout.com”, you would need to implement Cross-Domain Tracking (also known as cross-domain measurement). In most cases, enabling Cross-Domain Tracking should only require configuration in your Google Analytics Data Streams.
Please follow Google documentation to setup cross-domain measurement, here:
For typical implementations, you need only add your GA4 ID to your funnel settings following the steps below.
Add Google Analytics to your funnel by opening the Tracking Pixels section of your Funnel Settings:
2. To auto-generate the GA4 tracking script, paste your tracking ID (G-XXXXXXXXX) in the space provided for "Google Analytics / G4 / Tag Manager".
3. Be sure to click "Save & Continue". Then publish your funnel to activate the tracking script.
Alternately, you can add custom tracking scripts to the “Custom Head Tracking Code” section. This should only be done for non-standard implementations or use of custom tracking scripts. In all cases, be sure to click "Save & Continue". Then publish your funnel to activate the tracking script.
If you enter your ID in the "Google Analytics / G4 / Tag Manager" input field DO NOT add the same ID to the custom script section. This setup is “either/or”: EITHER use the "Google Analytics / G4 / Tag Manager" input field OR use the custom script section.
All other setup steps should be configured via the “Data Streams” in your Google Analytics Admin settings. Please follow Google’s documentation, here:
The following outlines the steps we took to test Cross-Domain Tracking with GA4. Your setup may be different, but the basics should be the same. Once again, please refer to Google’s documentation to setup, test and adjust as required for your implementation:
For our testing, we followed these steps based on Google’s documentation:
Ensure the GA4 ID/tracking script was added to both domains.
Navigate to your GA4 Property and click on "Data Streams".
Click on "Configure tag settings" followed by "Configure your domains". Match type should be "Contains". Then enter your domains without the "https://". You do not need to add subdomains. Only enter separate root domains.
In order to ensure your domains do not show up as referral traffic, add both domains to your referral exclusion list.
Navigate to "Configure tag settings" in your Data Streams settings.
Click "Show all" and navigate to "List unwanted referrals". Match type should be set to "Referral domain contains" and each domain should be entered without the "https://". You do not need to add subdomains. Only enter separate root domains.
Again, Google has posted detailed information on how to setup, configure and implement Google Analytics. On the Checkout Champ side, a standard GA4 integration should only require you add your GA4 ID in your Funnel settings. For more involved implementations or custom scripting, please refer to Google's GA4 documentation, here:
With the switch to GA4, Shopify has moved to the new Google & YouTube Channel to connect Google Analytics. Like our integration, this channel allows you and Google to manage the GA4 integration via the Google Analytics Admin settings. You will need to enable the Google & YouTube Channel and connect your GA4 ID. Shopify recommends hiring a Shopify expert if you need help setting up the integration or configuring a more complex implementation.
To link your GA4 property to Google Ads, navigate to your Property Settings and select "Google Ad Links". Click "Link", select your Google Ads and follow the on-screen prompts.
For detailed information regarding the setup and configuration of Google Analytics, please refer to Google's GA4 documentation, here: