What to do when Shopify analytics goes haywire

Hello, Fellow Champ!

Here’s your weekly guide to improving your store by 1%. Let’s dive in and boost those sales! 🚀

● Visitor tracking: Google Analytics or Shopify Analytics?

● How to fix discrepancies between GA & SA

● Has Temu killed dropshipping?

● 60-minute challenge: Install Google Analytics

● What's trending? Shilajit Resin

🤺 Google Analytics vs. Shopify Analytics: The Showdown

If you’ve ever been puzzled by missing sessions in Shopify analytics, you’re not imagining things. Especially if setting up Google Analytics compounded the mystery with a completely different data report. But there’s a reason for this.

Mike Szczesny (Owner and VP of EDCO Awards and Specialties and 10-year ecom veteran) suggests that this data discrepancy is because of:

1. Data tracking variations. Shopify Analytics tracks orders, customers, and products on the store. Google Analytics tracks visits, pageviews, etc. across the entire website. Same store, different snapshots.

2. Tracking code location. Google’s code is installed on every page. Shopify's code is on cart and checkout pages. This gives Google access to more data, irrespective of whether or not visitors reach checkout.

3. Variations in attribution models. Google credits the final click or ad before a sale, while Shopify divides credit among all touchpoints.

🔍 Fix Analytics Discrepancies in 3 Steps

1. Check Your Tracking Setup: Ensure your Google Analytics is set up correctly with your Shopify store.

2. Time Zones: Shopify and Google Analytics might be set to different time zones. Align them to get consistent data.

3. Filtering: Google Analytics might filter out some data (like bots or internal traffic) that Shopify includes. Double-check your filters!

The numbers almost never perfectly match up. Mike suggests that the key is to view both as helpful lenses into your business and use them to complement each other. Use SA for purchase insights and GA for traffic trends, for a more complete ecommerce picture.

Did Temu Kill the Dropshipping Star?

Let's discuss the buzz around Temu. With a strategic trifecta of aggressive pricing, gamified commerce, and a $7m Superbowl ad, it’s easy to see why dropshippers and even Amazon sellers get queasy at the mention of the giant retail app.

But has Temu truly killed dropshipping? Not quite. Temu might have captured a sizeable 17% market share, but there’s still enough left for eCom sellers who niche down, build brands, and ensure high quality control.

Adapt and thrive! Dropshipping is far from dead; it’s just evolving. 🌟

⛮ 60-Minute Challenge: Install Google Analytics

If Shopify Analytics is keeping you in the dark, take 60 minutes out this week to get Google Analytics up and running. You’ll get better clarity into your visitors behaviour, and identify what activities you need to double down on.

1. Create a Google Analytics Account, and grab your unique tracking ID.

2. Install the tracking code. In Shopify, go to Online Store > Preferences. Paste your tracking ID into the Google Analytics section.

3. Enable enhanced e-commerce: Go to your Google Analytics admin panel, enable Enhanced E-commerce, and watch the data roll in!

🖼️ What’s Trending: Shilajit Resin

Image Credit: Google Trends

Shilajit resin is a sticky, black resin extracted from mountain rocks. Historically used as medicine, interest in the substance has resurfaced, thanks to TikTok (18k videos).

Searches for “Himalayan shilajit resin” increased by 658% over 24 months. One pack of shilajit resin generates approximately $49K/month on Amazon.

Monetize this trend by testing out trending products such as shilajit gummies, shilajit powders, and shilajit capsules.

🦾 Become a Business Idea Machine

Half Baked is the world’s #1 business idea newsletter.

Get an original business idea delivered straight to your inbox daily.

Join +10,000 others with hundreds of ★★★★ star reviews.

Sign up here with one click and get 5 ideas instantly.

”I come for the business ideas, stay for the memes” - Michael M.

“I can’t believe this newsletter is free” - James S.

Finally…

Want to feature in future editions (and maybe in our DR 54 blog)? Reply this e-mail with the subject “Topic Calendar” and we’ll send you our editorial calendar to pick your topic of expertise. As a Sellify Club member, you get first digs!

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Forward it to your inner circle and grow together