How to Install Google Tag Manager on Shopify
Google Tag Manager (GTM) is one of the most useful tools for marketers. However, Shopify has no built-in integration for GTM, and you often need a guide to set it up.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to add GTM to your store on Shopify. Also, how to link Shopify and Google Universal Analytics, and how to pass product value.
You can also check out our other article on how to install GA4 on Shopify.
How to Install Google Tag Manager on Shopify
Below, we’ll talk about why you should install GTM on Shopify at all, how to do it, and how to set up eCommerce without using GTM.
Why Use Google Tag Manager for Shopify
Google Tag Manager allows us to manage all of our marketing and tracking tags from one place, quickly set up and test performance.
Without using GTM, marketers need developers to set up tags.
For example:
- you need to add a Google Ads, UET Tag, Twitter Pixel tag, or Google Analytics 4 global tracking code to all pages;
- a form submission event, which will be triggered after the form has been submitted correctly;
- you need to install third-party codes that integrate with Shopify only through the site code or through paid apps.
All of this can be done quickly in GTM in a matter of minutes.
If not, drop us a message and let’s change that with our Google Ads management!
How to Set Up Google Tag Manager in Shopify
Method 1: Adding GTM to a Shopify Theme
It may seem complicated, but after we’ll walk you through the steps, you can easily add Google Tag Manager to your Shopify store. Just follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Copy the GTM Container Code
Sign up for Google Tag Manager if you are not already registered.
After logging into your account, go to the container and click on your GTM code at the top of the screen and copy the code from the <head> section.
Step 2: Insert the GTM Code Into Your Shopify Theme Files
To do this, you’ll need to log in with your Shopify admin username.
Themes > Actions (next to your theme name) > Edit Code
Then copy the code from GTM in the <body> section and add it to the theme of the site.
The GTM code will now appear on every page of your store, except for the checkout and thank you pages.
Step 3: Add GTM Code to the Checkout Page
Follow these steps to find the order processing section.
Settings > Checkout > Order status page, and then paste the GTM code there.
GTM will now work on your store pages, as well as the thank you page. But the code won’t work in the checkout stages (when the user enters their credit card and address information), the code will work on the order completion page.
Step 4: Check If GTM Works
- Through the “Google Tag Assistant Legacy” browser extension.
- Via GTM interface
Our experienced Shopify PPC agency can help you install GTM and launch successful ad campaigns.
Method 2: Adding GTM Through Apps
Apps help you set up more detailed tracking: product displays, events of adding to cart, actions with search in the list, checkout process, removal from cart, user ID and many others.
If you’re only using Google Ads as your advertising channel, it’s worth noting that you can set up data tracking throughout your funnel without using paid apps. I’ll cover this in the section “Enable Enhanced eCommerce Reporting and Tracking Values to Google Universal Analytics”.
Below are apps that will allow you to integrate your store with Google Tag Manager, Google Universal Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, Klaviyo, Snapchat and others.
1. Easy Tag — GTM & Data Layer
Rating: 4.9
Integrations: Google Tag Manager, Google Universal Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, Klaviyo, Snapchat and 40+ more digital marketing channels.
Price: $149/one-time charge
Get more information here.
2. Elevar Conversion Tracking
Rating: 4.5
Integrations: Google Universal Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, GA4, ReCharge & Carthook and 40+ more digital marketing channels.
Price: $50/month
Get more information here.
Despite the wide functionality, the price is lower than other popular applications. This application is suitable for those who are going to test their store in a short period of time.
3. Analyzify
Rating: 5
Integrations: Google Tag Manager, Google Universal Analytics 4, Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, Google Data Studio, Pinterest Pixel, Microsoft Ads, Tiktok, Pinterest, Clarity.
Price: $749/one-time charge
Get more information here.
The price of this application is several times higher than the other two, and the number of integrations is limited. But the advantage of this application is that Analyzify specialists will customize it for you.
Enable Enhanced eCommerce Reporting and Tracking Values to Google Universal Analytics
You don’t need to install GTM on your site to enable eCommerce and set up a Google Universal Analytics value tracking.
To install it, you need to enable eCommerce in Shopify settings and add the Google Universal Analytics code.
1. Advanced eCommerce should be enabled in the Google Universal Analytics account itself at the view level. At the property level of Google Universal Analytics, under “Property Settings”, copy “Tracking ID” at once.
2. Enable eCommerce in Shopify settings.
After a while, you will begin to receive data on events. You can see them under “Behaviour” > “Events” > “Top Events” > select the “Ecommerce” category.
With this data, you can create goals that you will track and send to Google ads.
You will also start to get data on the value of conversions after the transactions. This can be observed under “Conversions” > “E-commerce” > “Overview”.
Conclusion
As you probably figured out, installing GTM on Shopify is pretty easy. You can choose whether to install GTM manually or with a paid program.
Visit our eCommerce PPC library and find more valuable guides and our cases.
If you still have questions about installing Google Tag Manager on Shopify and setting up eCommerce, feel free to contact our team.
You can also read our other articles on:
FAQ
How to install Google Universal Analytics on Shopify?
First, create a Google account if you don’t have one. Next step is to make an Analytics account. Next, enable Google Analytics on your Shopify store and turn on ecommerce tracking (either basic or enhanced). To get help with the last two steps, contact our team.
Is Google Tag Manager free to use?
Yes, you can use this tag management system for free.
How do I disable Google Tag Manager on Shopify?
To disable it, you need to remove the GTM code in the Theme settings.
There is also another option. You can delete the container in the GTM settings. In this case, the code of the container will remain in the site code and will not function.
How to check if GTM is working?
To check if Google Tag Manager is working properly, follow these steps:
- First, ensure that the GTM container code is properly installed on your website. You can check this by viewing the source code of your website and searching for the GTM container code snippet.
- Preview your container: GTM provides a preview mode that allows you to test your container and see if it’s working properly. To access preview mode, click on the “Preview” button in the top right corner of the GTM interface.
- Once you’re in preview mode, navigate to the page or pages you want to test and perform the actions that trigger your tags.
- Check your tags in the debugger: The GTM debugger can help you diagnose and troubleshoot any issues with your tags. To access the debugger, click on the “Debug” button in the top right corner of the GTM interface. The debugger will show you a log of all the tags that fired on the page, along with any errors or warnings.
Why are Shopify products not approved by Google?
The solution to this problem depends on the particular case. For example, merchants selling unique products (not dropshipping) often forget to mark the products as custom. Another reason for disapproved items — their images cannot be crawled by Google. But there are many other issues causing this problem. You can contact us for help.
Vadim Turinov
Performance Marketing Specialist working with PPC. I love working with customers from all over the world and solving problems I’ve never faced before. When not working, I read up on marketing to develop my skills.
