How to Connect PrestaShop with Google Analytics 4 the Right Way

In the fast-moving world of e-commerce, data is everything. If you run a PrestaShop store, you need to know what your customers are doing — and more importantly, why. That’s where Google Analytics 4 (GA4) comes in.
Unlike the old Universal Analytics, GA4 is built to give deeper, event-based insights into customer behaviour across web and app. Whether it’s product clicks, add-to-carts, or completed checkouts, GA4 helps you track every step — and that means smarter decisions, better conversions, and more sales.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to integrate GA4 into your PrestaShop store the right way, using Google Tag Manager. No guesswork. Just clear, proven methods.
Table of Contents
- What Is Google Analytics 4 and Why Do PrestaShop Stores Need It
- How to Create a GA4 Property for Your PrestaShop Website
- Add Google Analytics 4 to PrestaShop Using Google Tag Manager
- Tips to Use GA4 Data to Improve PrestaShop Store Performance
- FAQs
- Conclusion
1. What Is Google Analytics 4 and Why Do PrestaShop Stores Need It
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the next generation of website tracking from Google. Unlike Universal Analytics, which tracked pageviews, GA4 focuses on user behaviour through events and user journeys.
Why PrestaShop Stores Need GA4:
- Track Real eCommerce Conversions – From views to purchases, you get a full-funnel view.
- Cross-device tracking – Understand how users interact on mobile, desktop, or tablet.
- Custom event tracking – Get specific with events like button clicks, form submissions, and scroll depth.
- Predictive analytics – GA4 uses machine learning to help you forecast outcomes.
- Privacy-ready – GA4 is designed for a cookieless future and GDPR compliance.
Want to go deeper into GA4’s power for PrestaShop? Check out our guide on setting up eCommerce conversions in GA4.
2. How to Create a GA4 Property for Your PrestaShop Website
Before you connect GA4 to PrestaShop, you first need to set up a GA4 property in your Google Analytics account.
Steps to Create a GA4 Property:
- Sign in to your Google Analytics account.
- Go to Admin > Create Property.
- Enter a name (e.g., “PrestaShop GA4”), select your time zone and currency.
- Click Next, choose your business size and goals.
- Choose Web as your data stream type.
- Enter your PrestaShop site URL and stream name.
- Click Create stream.
Once done, you’ll get a Measurement ID (like G-XXXXXXX). Save it — you’ll need it soon.
3. Add Google Analytics 4 to PrestaShop Using Google Tag Manager
Now, let’s connect GA4 to PrestaShop using Google Tag Manager (GTM) — the safest and most flexible method.
Step 1: Create a Google Tag Manager Account
- Go to Google Tag Manager.
- Click Create Account, name it (e.g., “PrestaShop Store”).
- Choose Web as the target platform.
- GTM will give you two code snippets to paste into your PrestaShop site.
Step 2: Add GTM to Your PrestaShop Store
To insert GTM code:
- Log in to your PrestaShop Admin panel.
- Go to Design > Theme & Logo > Advanced Customisation.
- Paste the GTM header code just before </head>.
- Paste the GTM body code just after <body>.
You can also use modules like “HTML Box” or “Header Footer Code Manager” for easier insertion.
Step 3: Add GA4 Tag in Google Tag Manager
- In GTM, click Tags > New.
- Name your tag (e.g., “GA4 Base Tag”).
- Choose Tag Type > GA4 Configuration.
- Paste your Measurement ID.
- Trigger: Set it to All Pages.
- Save and submit your container.
Step 4: Test Your Setup
Use the Google Tag Assistant Chrome Extension or Preview mode in GTM to check if GA4 is firing correctly on your PrestaShop site.
4. Tips to Use GA4 Data to Improve PrestaShop Store Performance
Installing GA4 is only the start. Let’s use it to improve how your store performs.
Track Key Events
Set up events like:
- view_item – When a product page is viewed
- add_to_cart – When a user adds an item
- purchase – When a transaction completes
These help you spot where users drop off and how to recover abandoned carts.
Create Audiences
Use GA4’s audience builder to create segments like:
- First-time visitors
- Cart abandoners
- Frequent buyers
Then link them with Google Ads for targeted remarketing.
Funnel Analysis
Use Exploration Reports to build visual funnels and see where users exit.
- Are users bouncing off product pages?
- Are checkout pages causing friction?
Fixing these spots can instantly boost conversions.
Predictive Metrics
GA4 can show purchase probability and churn likelihood. These AI-driven insights help you focus efforts on the right users.
5. FAQs
Q1. Is GA4 free to use with PrestaShop?
Yes, both GA4 and Google Tag Manager are completely free.
Q2. Do I need coding skills to install GA4?
No. With Google Tag Manager, you can install GA4 without touching core code.
Q3. Can I use GA4 and Universal Analytics together?
You can, but Universal Analytics stopped processing new data after July 2023. Focus on GA4.
Q4. What if I use a PrestaShop theme that doesn’t allow header changes?
You can use a module like “Header/Footer Code Manager” to insert the GTM scripts.
Q5. Can I track product performance in GA4?
Yes! GA4’s enhanced eCommerce lets you track product views, sales, and categories.
Q6. Is there a plugin to simplify GA4 installation in PrestaShop?
Yes. Some modules like “Google Tag Manager Enhanced Ecommerce” make it easier, but GTM remains the best practice for full control.
6. Conclusion
If you’re serious about growing your PrestaShop store, connecting it with Google Analytics 4 is a no-brainer. It unlocks powerful insights into your customers’ behaviour, conversion funnels, and marketing performance.
With the help of Google Tag Manager, you don’t need to be a developer to make it happen. Once set up, GA4 can become your most valuable tool, helping you boost engagement, reduce bounce rates, and make smarter business decisions.
At Presta Insights, we help PrestaShop merchants unlock the full power of data. From setting up Google Analytics 4 the right way to optimising your store’s performance through smart tracking and actionable insights, we’ve got you covered. Ready to make better decisions, track what truly matters, and boost your eCommerce growth?
Let’s connect your PrestaShop store to GA4 — the right way.
