Most people can get Google Analytics installed and working on their Zen Cart, but hardly any are getting the most from Google Analytics. Here is a quick tutorial on setting it up Google Analytics.
Step by Step Setting Up Google Analytics for Zen Cart
- Download the free module “Simple Google Analytics“
- Install the module per the directions.
- Sign up or login to Google Analytics
- Open Configuration >> Google Analytics Configuration in your Zen Cart admin (See image below)
Areas to configure include:
- Analytics Account – This is the number beginning UA from your Google Analytics account
- Activate Adwords Conversion Tracking – True (Even if you don’t use Adwords)
- Google AdWords Conversion Tracking Number – If you are using Adwords
- Google Tracking Code Type To Use – Asynchronous (Better, stronger, faster and all that)
- Add Custom Tracking After Main Analytics Code? – This is for additional tracking code, like these tracking code examples. Turn this on =)
- Google Custom Code – After – I would suggest adding this _gaq.push([‘_trackPageLoadTime’]); to track page speed.
Back to Analytics to Configure
Conversion tracking and site search tracking
- In the account management screen, click the “edit” link next to the account you are configuring, in the settings column.
- Now you should be in your “Profile Settings Page” for the account you are configuring.
- Click the “edit” link in the header of the Main Website Profile Information table.
- In the field marked “Default Page” you will enter your website’s index page file name. If your Zen Cart is installed in the root (directly under public_html) then this file name is index.php.
- In the field marked “Exclude URL Query Parameters” you will enter zenid, unless you have changed your sessions parameter for Zen Cart.
- Check the radio button “Yes, an E-Commerce Site” and choose your setting for currency.
- Site Search, check “do track site search”.
- The “Query Parameter (required):” box is simply (all lowercase) keyword
- Check No, do not strip query parameters out of URL (we want to see them)
- Check Do you use categories for site search? Yes
- Category Parameter: is categories_id
- Check No, do not strip category parameters out of URL (we want to see these as well)
There you have it, proper conversion tracking, searches and more data about your shoppers than you can ever digest. Plan to spend a few hours a week poking around in Google Analytics and I highly recommend Google’s Conversion University.
Tags: Conversion Tracking, E Commerce Site, Google, Page Speed, Ua, Website Profile, Zen Cart