Leveraging BigCommerce to elevate your business to new heights is achievable with the proper utilization of its capabilities, including seamless integration with Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This integration empowers businesses to harness the full potential of available data, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
The integration of GA4 with BigCommerce offers a robust e-commerce platform equipped with comprehensive analytics. Before embarking on this integration journey, it is essential to meet certain prerequisites. Verification of your Google account is mandatory, and your BigCommerce store must utilize the default Optimized One-Page Checkout and a custom domain. In Google Analytics, ensure that your Checkout Labeling aligns with your store’s checkout steps and incorporate data tags within your theme.
Newcomers to Google Analytics must establish an account and configure data sharing preferences. Existing users can proceed by obtaining their GA4 Measurement ID. Account creation is straightforward; visit analytics.google.com and initiate the measurement process. Google will prompt you to input your business details and customize your data sharing settings.
When selecting data-sharing options, opt for all available choices to maximize the utilization of GA4’s metrics. To finalize account setup, provide basic business information, including name, location, time zone, currency, and size.
You will then be prompted to select metrics for tracking from your BigCommerce store. GA4 options encompass measuring customer engagement, cross-platform data, content monetization, app installations, and lead generation. These data points enable optimization of your site or app experience, reduction of advertising costs, increased conversions, and analysis of online sales.
Upon completing the required information, review and accept the Google Analytics Terms of Service Agreement. Select “create,” and your GA4 account is officially established. Explore the platform’s diverse features to enhance your understanding.
Thankfully, linking your Google Analytics 4 and BigCommerce accounts is a straightforward process. The necessary Measurement ID from your GA4 account is all you need. The integration process is initiated from your BigCommerce dashboard, navigating to the “Settings” page and selecting “Data Solutions” under “Advanced.”
Within “Data Solutions,” choose “Google Analytics 4” and provide your GA4 Measurement ID. Connect the accounts to enjoy the enhanced features of your integrated system.
The transition from Google Analytics 3 (Universal Analytics) to GA4 marks an opportune time for website owners to understand the differences and the integration with BigCommerce. GA4 brings numerous improvements to the platform, offering a more cohesive experience across web and app platforms.
Google Analytics 4’s data is combined with Firebase Analytics for cross-platform tracking, allowing marketing teams to manage integrated data across multiple platforms, ensuring quick access and proper authorization for each property. Coalition Technologies’ marketing experts utilize this data to optimize app and web pages for client stores.
Google BigQuery, a powerful data warehouse system, offers enhanced data storage capabilities with GA4, surpassing the limitations of Universal Analytics. This upgrade is particularly beneficial for larger BigCommerce stores, enabling data modification, enhancement, blending, and warehousing within BigQuery.
GA4’s revised event tracking functionality records all user interactions as events, distinguishing itself from Universal Analytics’ focus on page visits. This allows for a more detailed analysis of customer behavior, from acquisition through monetization and retention.
Event-based funnels in GA4 provide flexibility in measuring user behavior, offering more customization than the URL-based funnels in Universal Analytics. Additionally, enterprise-level funnels previously exclusive to GA360 are now accessible to all users.
GA4’s “Analysis” section replaces the outdated Custom Reports of GA3, enabling users to dynamically explore data through drag-and-drop segments, dimensions, and metrics.
The new GA4 data model resolves many scoping issues, allowing for more accurate reporting. Dimension and metric scoping are now separate, enabling greater flexibility in report creation.
GA4 incorporates machine learning to detect trends in your BigCommerce store’s offerings, automatically alerting you to changes such as increased demand.
Overall, integrating GA4 with BigCommerce is a strategic move for businesses seeking to leverage data-driven insights. As a core BigCommerce partner, Coalition Technologies assists businesses in utilizing GA4 data effectively, enhancing web design, content creation, marketing, and SEO efforts.
While integrating GA4 with BigCommerce offers valuable analytical insights, it requires experience to define metrics and strategies. Coalition Technologies’ team maximizes the productivity of these resources, ensuring businesses make the most of the platform. Contact us at (310) 905-8646 or through our contact form to learn more.
