Re: Do we need Google Analytics?

Is Google Analytics essential for our online store's success?

fabulanebulae
Excursionist
18 0 8

As many of you, we've been getting alerts about switching to Google Analytics 4. What I'm wondering is, do we need GA at all?

 

We don't currently use it at all - we just use Shopify's built-in analytics.

 

So my question is, is there any huge advantage to having GA - does it integrate with any essential functions, is it necessary for ads or something, etc?

 

Because for our usage (and as far as I can tell), Shopify's analytics more than suffice. 

 

I also suspect the extra analytics would slow down our site.

 

Thanks! 

Replies 4 (4)

kdotti
Shopify Partner
8 0 4

Been wondering the same thing @fabulanebulae  Thanks for asking. Following for answer! 

Peter_Canada
Excursionist
24 0 14

I've been recommended clicky.com , like many others this seems to be the nudge to tell google to "get lost!"  why give google a plethora of data about your customers and your website that they don't pay for?? Lots of people are sick of google and looking for alternatives. Paid ads don't work. Been there done that.

fabulanebulae
Excursionist
18 0 8

Well said, @Peter_Canada . The less random trackers the better.

 

Another more privacy-oriented (and simpler than GA, I think) alternative that seems it might be good is Plausible Analytics - https://plausible.io/

 

I guess GA (or some other fancy analytics tool) is really useful if you do a lot of paid ads - especially Google Ads, I would presume. I'll wait for more answers, but at this point, I'm leaning toward getting rid of it; if we start doing Google Ads, we can reinstall GA then.

 

On the other hand, well-implemented paid ads are probably worth it... So as I said, I will wait for more answers from the community and think about it some more. 🙂

 

Thanks, everyone!

Peter_Canada
Excursionist
24 0 14

Well so far I haven't experienced less sales or anything negative by dumping GA. Your mileage may vary.

 

I find google ads ironic... you pay them, they tell you that you got 10,000 hits. Seems a conflict of interest or?