Setting up Goals in Google Analytics that involve a 3rd party site
-
I've set up several goals for one of my clients in Google Analytics. The ones that relate to things on the site -- such as clicking on the "Contact Us" button -- work just fine. However, I set up one that is tracking when someone clicks on a purchase button, which sends the user to a third party site (PayPal). This one doesn't seem to work. (I purchased and item and the goal was not recorded). Looking to see if I have to do anything different when setting up the goal.
-
This was very helpful! Thanks so much.
Eric Vallee
-
Since you don't have your Analytics goal confirmation HTML code on the paypal website, for this to work, you need to turn "Auto Return" ON under website payment preferences in paypal and then add the following variable to the end of the URL of your successful goal page :
?utm_nooverride=1
The "Return URL" value would look like this :
After this is done, just make sure you have your analytics goal confirmation code on the goal confirmation page of your own website - Now that paypal is redirecting finished purchases to you, analytics should track them correctly.
If all you care about tracking is the number of successful goals, you can stop here, however if the goal you are setting up involves tracking purchase amounts (I am assuming this is true since you are using paypal), you need to do some fairly complex modifications involving php and javascript, you can find more information on how to complete that here.
Hope this was helpful.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Google Analytics - Referral traffic being reported as Direct traffic
Hi, I have a link on my www homepage to another subdomain website. Both websites are served on https, and have independent Google Analytics properties. However, the traffic from the www site to the subdomain site is being reported as Direct, and not Referral traffic. Any ideas why? See image provided for context... RCn6HER
Reporting & Analytics | | RWesley1 -
Google Analytics - Average Position
Hi Just trying to get some clarity on Google Analytics Average Positions in "Aquistions/Search Engine Optimisation". For a very competitive keyword Google Analytics is saying i am on average position of 6. Is this Page 6? I am assuming position six would be 1.6?
Reporting & Analytics | | Cocoonfxmedia0 -
How does switching to HTTPS effect Google Analytics?
We are looking at making our site HTTPS. We have been using the same Google Analytics account for years and I like having the historical data. All of our pages will be the same, we are just going to redirect from the http to https. Does anything need to be done with Google Analytics? What about other addons such as Optimizely, Crazy Egg, or Share this?
Reporting & Analytics | | EcommerceSite0 -
Question about setting up Google Webmaster on Network Solutions?
I'm trying to set myself up as a Webmaster on my company's site. We use Network Solutions. I am following Google's directions on how to do this. However, I am a bit wary. Here are the directions. Underlined is the part I am having trouble with: Log in to your account for howlatthemoon.com at www.networksolutions.com by clicking theManage Account icon. In the left navigation bar, open the nsWebAddress (Domains) menu by clicking the **+ **icon. Click Manage Domain Names. On the Domain Details page for the domain you're using, select the Designated DNS radio button (to the right of Change domain to point to) and click the Apply Changes button. If you've previously modified your advanced DNS settings, click Edit (to the right ofDomain currently points to). Under the Advanced DNS Manager heading, click Manage Advanced DNS Records. Under the Text (TXT Records) heading, click Add/Edit. In the Host field, enter @. Leave the TTL field set to the default value. In the Text field, copy and paste the following unique security token:
Reporting & Analytics | | howlusa
(security token removed for obvious reasons) Click Continue. Review your changes and click Save Changes. When you've done saving the TXT record, click the Verify button below on this page. There is already a host of @ (None). The text for it reads: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all I called Network Solutions and the guy I was speaking with told me to delete it and replace it with my Google Webmasters code. However, I think this is setting up our email. Do I just add the Webmasters in and have two hosts of @ (None)? Thanks!0 -
Google analytics is not tracking well
Hey, There is something not working in our GA account, its shows too many visits per day, when look where this traffic comes from, the majority comes from (not set). Please find attached. Really appreciate help! Thank you! BvmAKtO
Reporting & Analytics | | Comunicare0 -
Advanced Segment on Google Analytics
Hello there, hope everyone is allright and rockin' the SEO world 🙂 Was wondering if anyone could give a tip on how to configure an 'Advanced Segment' on Google Analytics. Basically I need to isolate traffic for 4 specific subfolders. E.g. www.mywebsite.com/solutions/A www.mywebsite.com/solutions/B www.mywebsite.com/solutions/C www.mywebsite.com/solutions/D/part1 Please note that the website has more pages under the specific section. E.g www.mywebsite.com/solutions/Z www.mywebsite.com/solutions/D/part2 but I only need to isolate the 4 directories (and their own sub-folders) mentioned above. Any idea how I could do this? Thanks a lot Joe
Reporting & Analytics | | Joseph.Volcy0 -
Google Analytics: Deleted Profile
Has anyone ever successfully managed to have a deleted GA profile restored? One of our client's profiles was deleted accidentally. I know the official line is it can't be restored, but...
Reporting & Analytics | | David_ODonnell0 -
Get Stats on Search Box Usage, Using Google Analytics?
Let me preface this by first saying I am NOT using the Google Adsense Search feature. The question I am asking is pertaining to the standard search box that comes already coded in most .php blogs. In the Google Analytics, is there a way to tell how many people are searching using the search box? I've looked through the navigation and pathway options in analytics and I don't seem to see anything that definitively points to the number of people using the search box but, perhaps, I am overlooking it. Any insight?
Reporting & Analytics | | ChristineCadena0