Google Analytics is a tool created by Google that allows bookstores to gain valuable insights into their website’s performance, user behavior, and marketing efforts. Leveraging this data can help you make data-driven decisions, improve your store’s online presence, and enhance overall online customer experience.
All sites are compatible with Google Analytics 4 (previously, sites utilized Universal Analytics). We encourage you to set up your own Google Analytics account if you don’t already have one.
SET UP GOOGLE ANALYTICS ACCOUNT
- Set up a new Analytics account with Google. Visit https://www.google.com/analytics [1], click ‘Sign In to Analytics’ or the ‘Create an account button’ (top right), and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Set up a "Google Analytics 4 property" within your Google Analytics account. See this link for instructions. [2] Please disregard Google's further instructions about adding a "tracking code" to your website. There is a module installed on your IndieCommerce/IndieLite site that handles this.
- Grab the Google tag ID, also known as the Measurement ID, associated with the GA4 property. The number begins with ‘G-’ and contains letters and numbers. Instructions on finding this number are here. [3]
UTILIZING AN EXISTING GOOGLE ANALYTICS ACCOUNT
For those using a pre-existing Google Analytics account that previously had a Universal Analytics property, you may have the option to migrate your Universal Analytics property using Google’s Setup Assistant.
NOTE: If you already have a Google Analytics 4 property in your Google Analytics account, you will need to obtain the Measurement ID associated with it; see step 2.
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See this page [4] for steps and follow the on-screen instructions within the Setup Assistant.
- Please disregard Google's further instructions about adding a "tracking code" to your website. There is a module installed on your IndieCommerce/IndieLite site that handles this.
- Grab the Google tag ID, also known as the Measurement ID, associated with the GA4 property. The number begins with ‘G-’ and contains letters and numbers. Instructions on finding this number are here. [3]
CONFIGURE GOOGLE ANALYTICS 4 ON YOUR INDIELITE WEBSITE
- Log into your IndieLite website and head to Configuration > Web Services > Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
- Paste the Measurement ID from the GA4 property into the field for the ‘GA4 Web Property ID’ and save the configuration.
Google Analytics is now configured for Google Analytics 4 and you will begin seeing data within your Google Analytics account.
CONFIRM DATA FLOW INTO GOOGLE ANALYTICS
- Login to your Google Analytics account and navigate to your Google Analytics 4 property.
- Using the toolbar on the left, click on ‘Reports’
- Within the Reports dashboard, click ‘Realtime Report’
- This report tracks users on the website in realtime, as the name suggests and this report should be populating.
It can take up to 48 hours for new data to begin trickling in. If you do not see any new data after 48 hours, contact staff@bookweb.org [5] and we’ll assist.
IndieLite D7 Taxonomy: