Any viable alternatives to google GA4 garbage??

[Peter_Canada]

I'm curious.... slowly I'm getting a bit fed up with the google juggernaut sucking all the valuable data off my website and doing with it what they wish. I've had experiences myself where I've visited a website casually looking for something online, not find what I'm looking for to have an email sent to me "thanks for visiting our website.... blah blah blah".... wait, that's way to intrusive for my taste... just because I visited a website doesn't mean anyone can use GA4 or whatever to track me down and send me an email. This stuff is crossing the the "big brother" line.

All I'm seeing from shopify is "how to transition to GA4" ... well I don't want to so... tell me something I don't know! How about "how to transition away from google"?

So I'm wondering if any of you are using something else besides damn google for your analytics? Paid or free or? Please leave your feedback as I'd really like to dump google from my life.

[PageFly-Oliver · Accepted solution]

Hi @Peter_Ferlow,

I understand your concerns about data privacy and the desire to move away from Google for website analytics. There are alternatives available that can help you track and analyze your website's performance without relying on Google Analytics (GA). Here are a few options to consider:

1. Matomo (formerly Piwik): Matomo is an open-source analytics platform that provides similar features to Google Analytics. It allows you to host the analytics data on your own server, giving you full control over your data.

2. Clicky: Clicky is a real-time web analytics platform that offers detailed insights into your website's visitors, traffic sources, and more. It provides an easy-to-use interface and customizable reports.

3. Open Web Analytics (OWA): OWA is an open-source web analytics solution that you can self-host. It provides detailed reports on website traffic, visitor behavior, and other relevant metrics.

4. Fathom Analytics: Fathom is a privacy-focused analytics tool that emphasizes simplicity and data protection. It offers basic yet essential analytics features without compromising user privacy.

5. Matomo Cloud: Matomo also provides a cloud-hosted version of their analytics platform, called Matomo Cloud. It offers similar features to the self-hosted version but removes the need for managing your own server.

Hope my solution works perfectly for you.

Cheers!

Oliver | PageFly

[Andreea-Datma]

Hi @Peter_Canada I recommend having a look at Dhatma (https://apps.shopify.com/dhatma) - an analytics app that provides valuable insights into all major areas of an online store.

Dhatma goes beyond standard analytics by incorporating DhatmaGPT, an advanced AI assistant designed to address queries regarding a store's performance. With Dhatma, you gain access to end-of-the-month forecasts, comprehensive price range and change analysis, as well as detailed information on product views and impressions.

There's a demo available here if you wanna check it out. Additionally, Dhatma also has a 30-day free trial. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch 🙂 

[Peter_Canada]

While Dhatma looks comprehensive... the number of $ plugins to make shopify useful is getting to be a bit much.

Is any of the AI-GTP ultimately secure for dealing with your confidential data in the "cloud"?

I wonder about the idiots that put Alexa or Google Assistant microphones in their conference room discussing confidential information.... the increasing amount of surveillance is somewhat concerning. Privacy agreements written in USA might as well be toilet paper for non-US entities.

[Andreea-Datma]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand your concerns about the increasing number of plugins required to enhance the functionality of Shopify. It can indeed be overwhelming to navigate through various options.

You raise valid points about the potential privacy risks associated with AI-GPT type technologies. And while I can't talk for each of them, rest assured that DatmaGPT (and Datma overall) is fully GDPR compliant. Your data is treated with utmost care and protection. The application is built in Europe, with strict measures in place to safeguard your valuable data. 

[Peter_Canada]

Well so far shopify analytics within shopify seems to be working. I don't need anything else. Anyone else experience the same?