Version 1.2.2 of Simple Google Analytics (for Zen Cart) now gives you the option to use either the new “ga.js” tracking code (released by Google in December 2007) or the older “urchin.js” tracking code.
The selection is as easy as choosing a radio button in the admin.
This release addresses certain reports widely spread across the Internet by many adopters of the new “ga.js” tracking code Google issued. In those reports users say (and I have confirmed) that results which are provided in reporting (specifically with the ecommerce tracking) are incorrect. In some cases, the revenue figures show as “0” (zero).
I also noticed that the conversion rate was dramatically off under the new ga.js tracking code.
It’s a confirmed Google problem (on their end)
Google has confirmed on numerous boards that the problem is on their end and they are working on correcting it. They hope to have it corrected by early April 2008, but until then, recommend users switch back to the older urchin.js tracking code for more accurate reporting.
This module addresses that recommendation.
It allows you to easily (from within the Zen Cart Admin) switch between the new ga.js tracking code (the default) and the older urchin.js tracking code (to be phased out by end of year 2008 according to Google.)
I installed this new version on my sites (for testing), and now see the proper reporting figures again (*sigh*).
Features of Version 1.2.2
- Adds standard Google Tracking to website
- Automatically Adds E-Commerce tracking to website
- Adds the ability for you to install Google Conversion Tracking
- Enables you to use either the new “ga.js” code released by Google in December 2007 or the older “urchin.js” tracking code
- Fully administered through the Zen Cart admin with a simple radio button selection.
How to Download Version 1.2.2
You can download this new version by clicking here. You will be taken to my downloads page where you can select the new 1.2.2 version.
Complete instructions are enclosed in the download to assist you in either upgrading (from previous versions) or “new installations”. Please make sure you read the instructions carefully for upgrading etc… It is easy and straight forward, but you should be aware of a few file changes.
A screenshot this contribution is below for reference:
Hi,
Which version of google analytics do you deal with in your book zen cart optimization with analytics?
Regards,Ajith
The Google Analytics workbook deals with the Urchin tracking code.
It has not been updated for the new ga.js code yet.
Hello,
I’m working on installing this onto a client’s site and I have some questions. After downloading simple_google_analytics_1-2-2.zip there are several files and directories and the instructions aren’t very clear on what needs to be uploaded into the zen cart software.
I know I need to upload the files to includes/templates/[the correct template] – am I uploading EVERYTHING to that location including the two sql files and the two directories – admin and includes?
Thanks
Upload everything under the “admin” and “includes” directory. The rest is not needed (BUT you will have to apply the proper SQL patch from within the admin depending on your install.)
Hi,
Just installed your Google Analytics as per instructions to Zen Cart 1.3.7, but the Configuration->google analytics configuration does not appear in Admin. I’ve checked the backend DB and the entries have been created. Any ideas?
Thanks
Ian
i get a blank screen when I install this on zen cart 1.3.8. Only the code appears in the page source, not the body…any ideas? thanks!
Thomas,
I would recommend reinstalling again from scratch. This mod works on all versions of Zen Cart including 1.3.8 +. I’ve got it running on a number of sites with now problem.
Typically, when you get a “blank page”, it means that during install you made some type of error in the php side of things (could occur if not careful during install of the lines of code needed on tpl_main_page.php).
I installed your analytics contribution last week and enabled the ecommerce mode in GA, but I’m not getting any sales recorded by GA. Yes, there have been plenty of sales. 🙂 But GA is not showing them to me.
Is there a proper support channel for finding out what I’ve done wrong? The instructions were easy to follow and I believe I have done everything they ask of me. Zen Cart is v1.2.7, heavily modified by myself to work with a FileMaker backend [and UPS worldship, member discounts, etc, etc]. But the changes the readme file stated were basic and did not seem to overwrite or alter the meaning of any existing custom code. ZenCart is running on the site I filled in for this comment.
Thanks for any info you can provide!
/vjl/
Are you using the GA version of the tracking code or the “urchin” version? There is a bug on Google’s side with relation to the GA version that they have yet to correct. It can cause the ecommerce tracking to be off.
Have you resolved this yet? (Sometimes it takes waiting for Google to update.)
Ian,
Did you run the included SQL patch? If not you need to run that. If so, it likely did not install correctly. I would recommend re-trying that.
Eric,
All sorted some time ago… needed to enable permission to view GA!
Thanks
Ian
Super thanks for the clarification Ian. I thought you had it worked out but wanted to make sure.
For anyone wondering what Ian is speaking of, he is talking about setting the permissions on the Google Analytics (from within your google account) side of things. If you don’t have permission to view the tracking then you will always see “nothing” even if the code is installed correctly.
Err.. no, permissions within ZenCart (Tools > Admin Settings… Third Party Mods)
Ah gotcha Ian. For some reason when I went back and read the post I thought you were also having problems viewing the “analytics data” (on the Google side). My bad.
You had problems actually seeing the “menu” option and also have some tool like Admin Profiles installed which requires you to “authorize” the user to view new mods.
I’ve been in that situation a number of times. Thanks for the clarification and sorry for the confusion!
Hi Eric,
No, the problem has not been resolved. 🙁 I was using the urchin code, but switched to the ga.js version due to the better https support. I may not be exactly clear about what the ecommerce part of your contribution does. We don’t use AdSense. I was under the impression that sales could be recorded [eg: at the checkout process] and handed to the Google Analytics system for tracking.
The rest of the contribution is working just fine. Should I switch back to the urchin code? Our checkout system is in https, so it does mean some modification to the code to make sure we don’t scare people by having an error in their browser state ‘some of this content is insecure’. I have setup two sites in GA for our domain; one for http and one for https, as I was doing GA manually before by simply putting the urchin code into the template’s footer.
Thanks for any tips you might have!
/vjl/
BTW, on checkout_success, my body tag has a blank id: body id=””. Is this bad? Using 1.2.7, but it did have zv_onload defined [so I followed step 2 and modified it to what your docs require].
I guess I will find out in a few hours [EDT timezone here] if Google recorded my test order or not…
A quick update; I am using the urchin code and see that you’ve already got it set to handle http and https. I am doing a funnel report, which is working fine, but the ecommerce is still not showing anything. 🙁 The funnel report I had setup on my https profile and just migrated it over [eg: it is the purchase path – shipping->payment->confirmation->purchase made]. It’s working fine, but has even before setting up your contribution.
I’m not sure what to test on my end to see what’s failing with the ecommerce stuff. I have double checked, and my GA account for this website is setup to record ecommerce. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Vince,
Have you “activated” ecommerce tracking from within your Google Profile as well? You must let Google know the site is an ecommerce site before it will begin to collect data.
Vince,
One more thing. The Module I created has “built in” http vs. https support even with the urchin tracking code. So, it shouldn’t matter which version you choose, but I prefer the urchin one until Google works out the problems with ga.js version. I like more accurate tracking.
Yes, it’s “activated” on Google’s end as well. I did that as the first step when I made your contribution live on the site.
Re: the http/https stuff; yes, before your contribution, I “rolled my own” and modified the code manually to handle two different profiles. But since moving to your module, I see that it handles it automatically. Back when I started [2006], one needed two different profiles; one for http and one for https, hence the reason I had it setup like that.
With your contribution and Google’s change in http/https requirements, I’m now able to use one profile which is cool!
I am using the urchin tracking code until I hear that Google fix the issues with ga.js; I did have it using ga.js for a week in the beginning and ecommerce wasn’t working for it either. 🙁 I must be missing something. I am using 1.2.7, heavily modified [by me]. I need to study how the code gathers ecommerce data better on the checkout/thank you screen so maybe I can see how it is failing.
Any update on using the new ga.js code? I have it set for Urchin, but am wondering if it is time to switch over…
Doug,
No news from Google on whether this has been corrected or not, but I know of a number of people using the ga.js version and still seeing great discrepancies in data reported.
I am sticking with the urchin version until I hear a definite “yes” it has been fixed from Google.
Hi,
I have the 1.2.2 mod installed on my 1.3.7 version of zen-cart. I was running the “urchin” code and everything was working fine, until recently I noticed that not all the online transactions were being recorded on Google Analytics. Is anybody else seeing the same problem while using the “urchin” code? I’m pretty sure everything was installed correctly. Like I said everything was working fine until the beggining of September. Any feedback is greatly apreaciated.
Thanks
Hector
How does this handle shared ssl? When my customers enter a secure page, the domain changes from http://www.mydomain.com to shared.hostdomain.com/~user/. I would guess this is going to mess up my GA stats? Is there any way to handle this? I am hoping to use the E-Commerce tracking feature.
Thanks!
Hi Eric
Have just installed your mod & I “think” it is installed properly; I can see it in my ZC admin, my google account tracking status is “receiving data”, I’ve and have read everything there was to read on your site & ZC forum…
But could you advise me about this:
I checked GA via Truwex, and get this report & error:
Google Analytics elements are detected
Visitor tracking is not OK
Google Analytics JavaScript file is not downloaded
Google Analytics Account variable is not found
ExpandGoogle Analytics WebBeacon is detected
Google Analytics Cookie is detected
what should I do about the visitor tracking, javascript file & account variable?
Many thanks
Steppi
Not sure what that is seeing, but the easiest way to determine if he code is present on any page is to view the page in a browser and then perform a “view source”. Look near the bottom of the page to see the code.
As long as you installed the GA module correctly then it should be working.
hi, Eric
Thank you for the nice add-on and I would like to know if it is any different from “Google Analytics by Andrew”. Which one would be more advanced? 🙂
Regards,
Yes, this is different from the Google Analytics by Andrew. I have heard a number of users have problems with the tracking on that one and install is more complex with that version.
My Simple Google Analytics mod is very easy to install and does not require all the added files to get working. It works flawlessly on both the older legacy code and with the newer ga.js tracking code as well as ads in the functionality to run Conversion Tracking (for tracking Paid Search / Adwords conversion effectiveness) from the admin (which Andrew’s version does not include).
I can also say with 100% confidence that mine tracks flawlessly and works without a hitch.
Make sure that if you had Andrew’s version installed, you COMPLETELY uninstall it (and all associated files) before you install mine or you will likely still have problems that carry over from Andrew’s version.
Any other questions let me know.
Thanks!
Hi! How do I uninstall Simple Google analytics? Thank you
Instructions for uninstall should be provided in the documentation but here is a quick reference.
1) Remove all files that you placed within your site and remove the line you added to the tpl_main_page.php (there should only be one file that you added).
2) Run the uninstall sql patch from within your admin.
All done.