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How to Add Google Tag to Shopify

How to Add Google Tag to Shopify
How to Add Google Tag to Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is Google Tag Manager?
  3. Why Use Google Tag Manager on Shopify?
  4. Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Google Tag Manager to Shopify
  5. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQ

Introduction

Adding Google Tag Manager (GTM) to your Shopify store can significantly enhance your ability to track and analyze user behavior, making it a crucial tool for any e-commerce business looking to optimize its operations. But how do you add Google Tag to Shopify? In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to install Google Tag Manager on your Shopify store, ensuring accurate tracking and seamless integration.

By following this guide, you will learn how to implement Google Tag Manager manually, test your setup, and troubleshoot common issues. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience with Shopify and GTM, this guide will provide you with valuable insights.

What is Google Tag Manager?

Before we dive into the installation process, it's important to understand what Google Tag Manager is and how it differs from Google Analytics. Essentially, Google Tag Manager is a tag management system that simplifies the process of adding and managing multiple tracking codes on your website without editing the code directly. It works in conjunction with Google Analytics, which provides reports on your store's activity.

Using GTM, you can deploy Google Analytics tracking codes, define rules for when each tag should fire, and add various other marketing and tracking scripts. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for improving your site's data accuracy and depth.

Why Use Google Tag Manager on Shopify?

Integrating Google Tag Manager with your Shopify store offers several advantages:

  1. Ease of Deployment: GTM allows you to manage all your tags from a single interface without the need for extensive coding knowledge.
  2. Enhanced Flexibility: Easily add, update, or remove tags without modifying the core code of your Shopify store.
  3. Improved Data Accuracy: Set up precise tracking for various user actions, such as clicks, form submissions, and page views.
  4. Better Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Google Analytics 4 (GA4), enabling more detailed and comprehensive data analysis.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Google Tag Manager to Shopify

Create a Google Tag Manager Account

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a Google Tag Manager account:

  1. Go to the Google Tag Manager website.
  2. Sign in with your Google account.
  3. Click on Create Account.
  4. Enter your account name and container name (typically your website URL).
  5. Select Web as the container type.
  6. Click Create and accept the terms of service.

Get Your Google Tag Manager Snippet

Once your container is created, you'll be provided with two snippets of code:

  1. The first snippet goes inside the <head> section of your HTML.
  2. The second snippet goes immediately after the opening <body> tag in your HTML.

Install Google Tag Manager Snippets in Shopify

To add the GTM snippets to your Shopify store, follow these steps:

  1. Access Your Shopify Theme Code:

    • Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
    • Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
    • Click on Actions next to your active theme and select Edit Code.

  2. Add GTM Snippet to <head>:

    • In the left panel, find and open the theme.liquid file.
    • Locate the <head> tag. Paste the first GTM snippet directly below the opening <head> tag.
    <!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=YOUR_CONTAINER_ID"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'YOUR_CONTAINER_ID');
</script>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->

  3. Add GTM Snippet to <body>:

    • Next, scroll to find the <body> tag or search for it using (Ctrl + F or Command + F).
    • Paste the second GTM snippet immediately after the opening <body> tag.
    <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<noscript>
  <iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=YOUR_CONTAINER_ID"
    height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
</noscript>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->

  4. Save Your Changes:

    • Click Save to ensure your changes are applied to the theme.

Verify Your GTM Installation

After installing GTM, it's important to verify that it’s working correctly:

  1. Enter Preview Mode:

    • Go back to your GTM account.
    • Click on Preview to enter preview mode, which allows you to test if tags are firing correctly.

  2. Open Your Shopify Store:

    • Open a new browser tab and load your Shopify store.
    • GTM Debug Mode should pop up at the bottom of the screen, indicating that your tags are firing as expected.

  3. Use Google Tag Assistant:

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tags Not Firing

  • Double-check that you copied and pasted the snippets correctly and saved the changes in Shopify.
  • Make sure your GTM container is published and contains the necessary tags.

No <body> Tag in Theme File

  • Some Shopify themes do not directly expose the <body> tag in the theme.liquid file. If this is the case, you might need to refer to your theme’s documentation or seek the assistance of a developer.

Duplicate Tracking

  • Ensure that you do not have multiple instances of GTM or Google Analytics running concurrently, as this can lead to duplicated data and inaccurate reports.

Conclusion

Integrating Google Tag Manager with your Shopify store is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your tracking and analytics capabilities. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to implement GTM, verify its setup, and troubleshoot common issues effectively.

Remember, being adept at using tools like GTM and GA4 can provide you with deeper insights into customer behavior, helping you make informed decisions that drive your e-commerce business forward.

FAQ

How Do I Test the Installation of Google Tag Manager on Shopify?

  1. Enter preview mode in GTM.
  2. Open your Shopify store in a new tab.
  3. Use Google Tag Assistant to verify if GTM is tracking events correctly.

Can I Install Google Tag Manager on the Thank You Page in Shopify?

Yes, you can. Navigate to Settings > Checkout in the Shopify admin and place the GTM snippets in the Additional Scripts section.

Why Should I Install Google Tag Manager in My Shopify Store?

Installing GTM in your Shopify store allows you to efficiently manage and track various user behaviors, integrate multiple analytics tools, and improve data accuracy without extensive coding.

By following this guide, you’re well on your way to mastering the integration of Google Tag Manager with your Shopify store. Happy tracking!