1/26/2025

Solving European Session Tracking Issues on Shopify

If you’re a Shopify store owner navigating the complexities of the European market, you might have encountered issues with session tracking. These problems can wreak havoc on your analytics, advertising performance, & ultimately, your bottom line. But fear not, because in this post we’ll tackle the key concerns surrounding session tracking on Shopify specifically for the European market & how to solve them.

Understanding Session Tracking and its Importance

Session tracking refers to the ability to monitor user interactions within your website during a specific time period. Each session provides valuable insights about customer behavior, click patterns, & preferences. These insights are critical for several reasons:

Optimization of Customer Experience: By understanding how visitors navigate your site, you can streamline their journey, making it easier for them to convert.
Effective Marketing: Accurate session tracking helps determine the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns, especially pay-per-click (PPC) ads, social media promotions, & influencer collaborations.
Data-Driven Decisions: With accurate analytics, you can make informed decisions to improve product offerings, promotions, & overall store strategy.

However, recent changes in regulations concerning data privacy in Europe have affected how Shopify tracks these sessions. Specifically, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has impacted what data can be collected & how it can be used. This brings us to the crux of our discussion: session tracking issues affecting Shopify stores in Europe.

The Shift in Data Privacy Regulations

As a store owner, you need to be aware of GDPR - your customers within the European Economic Area (EEA) have rights regarding their data privacy. Businesses collecting & processing personal data need to ensure they comply with these regulations. Some important aspects of GDPR concerning session tracking include:

User Consent: Users must be informed about what data is being collected & why, & they must provide explicit consent.
Data Transparency: You must disclose how long you will keep their data & for what purpose.
Access & Deletion Rights: Users can request access to their data or ask for their data to be deleted.

Failure to adhere to GDPR can lead to severe fines, making understanding its implications critical.

The Session Tracking Issues Experiencing Shopify Users

Recently, many Shopify store owners have reported significant drops in visitor counts & tracking inaccuracies. In a discussion on the Shopify Community, a user highlighted how their visitor counter went from 800 to 20 hits per day. This sudden drop leaves many wondering if it’s a technical glitch or a consequence of data privacy changes.

Common Problems Identified

Inaccurate Visitor Counts: Business owners have noted that actual traffic is not being represented in Shopify Analytics.
Live View Tracking: Many reported that their live visitor metrics have stopped updating or showing inaccurate numbers.
Facing Restrictions from Google Analytics: Users who depend on Google Analytics for tracking their sessions noticed significant discrepancies in numbers.

This creates a ripple effect, as your marketing strategies rely heavily on accurate visitor statistics to drive sales.

Solutions to Session Tracking Issues

To tackle GDPR compliance, ensuring that your cookie consent settings align with the requirements should be your first step. Shopify has made this easier with built-in cookie consent tools, or you can opt for external plugins like the ones available in the Shopify App Store.

Here's how to review your cookie settings:

Privacy Section: Go to your Shopify Admin > Settings > Checkout.
Customer Privacy: Update your preferences to ensure you are asking for consent properly.
Utilize apps like Avada GDPR Cookie Consent to create custom notifications about the data you collect and ensure compliance.

2. Alternative Analytics Tools

If Shopify’s built-in analytics aren’t cutting it, consider using third-party analytics tools that comply with GDPR regulations. Alternatives like Google Analytics 4 & tools mentioned on the Shopify Community help provide greater insights with additional user transparency.

3. Implement Session Recording Apps

Using session tracking tools like Propel Replay & Session Record, available on the Shopify App Store, allows you to gain insights into customer behaviors without infringing on data privacy laws. These tools enable you to record user sessions & analyze heatmaps. In return, you will be better equipped to identify where visitors might be dropping off or facing challenges.

Free Plan: Many apps offer free trials or free plans.
User Preferences: Make sure these applications adhere to GDPR by providing clear information about what data is collected.

4. Work with Developers

If you experience persistent issues, it could be a good time to consult with developers familiar with Shopify & GDPR compliance. They can help you diagnose technical problems & ensure your store is set up correctly to comply with European data laws.

Code Audit: Perform an audit of your theme and app code to ensure they do not interfere with data collection processes.

5. Testing & Continuous Optimization

Lastly, always test & iterate your strategies. Use tools to monitor your session analytics & see if changes implement yield positive outcomes. Regularly collecting user feedback can also guide you toward what strategies need adjustment.

The Final Leap: Engage Your Audience with Arsturn

While you’re busy managing GDPR compliance & optimizing your Shopify store’s performance, consider enhancing customer engagement too! Enter Arsturn, the easiest AI chatbot builder allowing you to instantly create custom chatbots for your website! With Arsturn, you can engage your audience before they even think of leaving your site.

Key Benefits of Using Arsturn:

No Coding Skills Required: Create powerful chatbots effortlessly.
Data Insights: Collect data while keeping GDPR compliance in mind.
Customization and Branding: Fully customize your chatbot to match your brand identity!

So, if you want to empower your Shopify store with an effortless no-code AI chatbot, check out Arsturn.com today. Join thousands who already benefit from this incredible tool!

Conclusion

Navigating the world of session tracking on Shopify can be tricky, especially within the framework of European data laws. The changes brought about by GDPR require store owners to think critically about their data practices, but with the right adjustments & tools, you can optimize your Shopify store without compromising compliance. By implementing these strategies today, you’ll not only keep your store compliant but also improve the overall experience for your customers.

Happy selling!