Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a robust statistics platform that allows you to track and analyze all sorts of information about your store, and it’s the perfect companion to the built-in statistics that Big Cartel already offers.

Setting up Google Analytics

Don’t let the long list of steps below scare you, setting up Google Analytics isn’t too tricky. If you don’t already have one, create a Google Analytics account first.

Important: if you’ve already setup Google Analytics on your store, you can skip to step 3. However, be sure to remove your old tracking code from your store’s Layout page to prevent duplicate stats.

1. Click the Add Website Profile» link in Google Analytics, leave Add a Profile for a new domain selected, enter your store’s URL, and click Finish.
2. On the next page, click Save and Finish without changing anything.
3. From your website profiles list, find your store and click the Edit link on its right.
4. Click the Edit link on the right of the Main Website Profile Information section.
5. Change E-Commerce Website to Yes, an E-Commerce Site.
6. Change Site Search to Do Track Site Search and enter search in the Query Parameter field.
7. Click the Save Changes button.
8. Click the Google Analytics logo in the top left to return to your website profiles list.
9. Next to your store’s URL there will be a unique ID, like UA-XXXXX-XX. Highlight and copy that ID.
10. Go to Store > Settings in your store admin, paste the ID you just copied into the Google Analytics field at the bottom, and click Save.

That’s it! All of your store’s traffic and order statistics will now be sent to Google Analytics automatically.

Notes about Google Analytics

Unfortunately, no two stat systems will consistently show the same numbers because of the differences in how they track things. Here are a few ways Google Analytics (GA) and Big Cartel (BC) stats differ, and some other things to keep in mind:

• GA focuses on unique visitors, while BC reports all visitors (unique and repeat)
• GA stats are delayed (typically 15-60 minutes) and focus on the prior day, BC stats are real-time
• GA uses JavaScript to track, BC uses direct server tracking
• GA will not record your visits when you’re logged into the admin
• GA will show orders that are still "pending" in PayPal (eChecks)