Google Analytics Integration

Google Analytics (GA4) provides comprehensive website and app analytics, user behavior tracking, and conversion measurement capabilities.

Environment Variables

Required Client Variables

NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_ID=G-XXXXXXXXXX # Your GA4 Measurement ID

Note:

  • You can set GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_ID without the NEXT_PUBLIC_ prefix and Shipkit will automatically generate NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_ID at build time for use on the client.
  • The non-prefixed variable is not accessible on the client; only the generated NEXT_PUBLIC_* value is exposed.

Setup Instructions

  1. Create a Google Analytics Account: Sign up at analytics.google.com if you haven't already

  2. Set Up a GA4 Property:

    • Go to your Google Analytics dashboard
    • Create a new GA4 property (recommended over Universal Analytics)
    • Follow the setup wizard for your website

  3. Get Your Measurement ID:

    • In your GA4 property, go to "Admin" → "Data Streams"
    • Select your web data stream
    • Copy the "Measurement ID" (starts with G-)

  4. Add Environment Variables:

    NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_ID=G-XXXXXXXXXX

Features Enabled

When this environment variable is configured, the following features become available:

  • ✅ Page view and user interaction tracking
  • ✅ Conversion and goal tracking
  • ✅ E-commerce and purchase analytics
  • ✅ User demographic and interest data
  • ✅ Real-time reporting
  • ✅ Audience segmentation
  • ✅ Custom event tracking
  • ✅ Integration with Google Ads and Search Console

Configuration Options

Advanced Configuration

You can enhance Google Analytics with additional features:

# Enhanced E-commerce tracking
NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_ENHANCED_ECOMMERCE=true

# Custom dimensions and metrics
NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_CUSTOM_DIMENSIONS=user_type,subscription_tier

# Cross-domain tracking
NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_CROSS_DOMAIN_TRACKING=example.com,anotherexample.com

Privacy and Compliance

Google Analytics includes privacy features:

  • IP anonymization available
  • Data retention controls
  • Consent mode integration
  • GDPR compliance tools
  • Cookie-less measurement options

Testing

Google Analytics provides several testing options:

  • Use Google Analytics Debugger browser extension
  • Test events in real-time reports
  • Use GA4's debug mode
  • Monitor tracking accuracy in development

Production Deployment

Before going live:

  1. Ensure proper cookie consent implementation
  2. Configure data retention settings
  3. Set up proper cross-domain tracking if needed
  4. Review and implement privacy controls
  5. Test conversion tracking thoroughly
  6. Set up proper attribution models