1/23/2025

Troubleshooting Common Shopify Analytics Issues for Better Insights

Shopify is a POWERFUL e-commerce platform that provides merchants with a plethora of tools & analytics to optimize their online stores. However, no system is without its glitches or challenges. If you're running a Shopify store, you may find yourself facing common issues with your analytics that can be quite puzzling. In this blog post, we're diving deep into the world of Shopify Analytics troubleshooting, covering the most frequent problems you might encounter, and how to fix them for better insights.

Why Is Analytics Important?

Understanding why analytics matter is key before we tackle the issues. Analytics provide insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall store health. THEY'RE integral to making data-driven decisions that can elevate your business. However, if your analytics aren’t tracking correctly, you risk missing valuable information that guides your strategies.

Common Shopify Analytics Issues

Here’s a rundown of the common issues Shopify users face with analytics:

Low session counts: Sometimes you might notice that your Shopify analytics indicate significantly fewer sessions than expected.
Data discrepancies: Mismatches between Shopify Analytics & other tools like Google Analytics can lead to confusion.
Tracking issues: You may find that not all your sales or visitor interactions are being tracked accurately.
Incorrect sales reports: Seeing inaccurate sales report data can lead to wrong business decisions.
Missing customer data: Not getting enough information on customer behavior can hinder marketing efforts.

Issue 1: Low Session Counts

If you notice a SIGNIFICANT drop in sessions on your Shopify dashboard, it may indicate that your tracking setup is OFF. One key factor could be the new GDPR compliance regulations. Many Shopify stores have enabled consent banners that limit data collection unless customers give explicit permission.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Check your GDPR cookie consent settings. Ensure that you have a cookie banner properly implemented that collects customer consent. Shopify documentation explains how to manage customer privacy preferences here.
Test your site in incognito mode on different devices. This allows you to check if your tracking works as expected without any cached data interference.

Issue 2: Data Discrepancies

You might be comparing sales numbers from your Shopify Analytics dashboard and Google Analytics, only to find some discrepancies. This is very common due to different tracking methods used by each platform.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Verify your tracking IDs: Ensure that the correct Google Analytics tracker is inserted in your Shopify store settings. If you're using a new property in Google Analytics 4, double-check that it's linked appropriately.
Check the date ranges: Sales and traffic data might be sampled incorrectly if different date ranges are used when pulling reports from either platform.

You can read more about discrepancies in sales report numbers in this enlightening post on the Shopify Community Forum.

Issue 3: Tracking Issues

Over time, you may find that certain events or interactions (like button clicks or conversions) aren’t being tracked correctly. This could be caused by various factors, including script errors or incorrect event setups.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Examine your scripts: Mismanaged Liquid code can lead to problems in tracking. Review your custom scripts & consider simplifying them to minimize errors.
Use an external tool: Employing a tool like Google Tag Manager can help manage events better than directly editing Shopify's Liquid code.
Test your setup: Use Google's Tag Assistant to check if your analytics tags are firing correctly on your website.

Issue 4: Incorrect Sales Reports

Sales reports give critical insights into your business's financial health. If these reports are inaccurate, you might misinterpret your store's performance.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Look for missing refunds or cancellations: Ensure every order includes refunds/cancellations in the sales report and check real-time data to validate sales numbers.
Time zone settings: Different systems may use different time zones, leading to confusion on when sales are being recorded. Ensure that your Shopify account matches the time zone settings in Google Analytics.

You can dive deeper into the details of handling sales discrepancies in reports through this Shopify Community discussion.

Issue 5: Missing Customer Data

Not receiving sufficient data on how customers engage with your store can hinder effective marketing strategies. Customer data is vital for segmenting audiences and personalizing marketing efforts.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Review app settings: If you're using third-party analytics apps, ensure data permissions are correctly set up and that no access is being blocked that hinders data flow.
Implement session recording tools: Consider using heat maps and session recordings, such as Hotjar, to monitor user behavior better.

Leveraging Arsturn for Enhanced Insights

If you're looking to take your Shopify store to the next level while tackling these common issues, consider Arsturn. With Arsturn, you can instantly create custom ChatGPT chatbots tailored to provide your audience with prompt answers about their queries, enhancing engagement & conversions. Their user-friendly platform makes building these chatbots a breeze—no coding required!

Here are a few benefits of using Arsturn:

Instant customer support: Chatbots offer instant responses to came inquiries, ensuring no customer leaves with unanswered questions.
Customization: Tailor your chatbot's appearance & functions to match your brand, presenting a cohesive image across digital platforms.
Insightful analytics: Glean essential insights from every interaction, allowing you to refine your strategies to meet your audience's needs effectively.
Simple setup: With a straightforward three-step process, you can integrate a chatbot into your Shopify site quickly.

Dive into more about how Arsturn can revolutionize your digital engagement at Arsturn.com and claim your customized chatbot now! No credit card required.

Conclusion

By actively addressing these common analytics issues, you can significantly improve the effectiveness of your Shopify store while enhancing customer engagement and foresight into decision-making for your business growth. Remember, the power of data lies in its accurate collection & interpretation, so applying these troubleshooting strategies is essential.
Utilizing platforms like Arsturn can further boost your engagement while ensuring you have accurate insights to guide your business strategy. Get started and transform your e-commerce experience today!