blog post

How to Track and Improve Your Shopify KPIs

Florian Cabirol
November 20, 2023
How to Track and Improve Your Shopify KPIs

Quick steps to create a Shopify report with Google Sheets:

You can easiliy create a Shopify report following this step :

  1. Get informations from the data integration from our Shopify connector.
  2. Create a source on catchr.io.
  3. Download our Google Sheets extensions.
  4. Configure and run your request
If you need more informations, you can follow the tutorial.

How to install Google Sheets Catchr Add-on.

To start exporting your Shopify data to Google Sheets, you need to install the Catchr add-on. You currently have two options :

Option A: Via the marketplace:

  1. Visit the Catchr Add-on page on the Google Workspace Marketplace and click "Install."
  2. Grant the necessary permissions for the add-on.
  3. Upon successful installation, open a Google Sheets to proceed.
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Install Catchr Google Sheets Add-on

Option B: Directly within a Google Sheets:

  1. Open a new Google Sheets.
  2. In the top menu, click "Extensions", then hover over "Add-ons" and select "Get add-ons."
  3. Search for "Catchr" and choose "Catchr - data connector."
  4. Click "Install" and grant the required permissions.
  5. Close the installation pop-up when completed.
  6. Start using the Catchr add-on.
Install Catchr Add-on for Google Sheets
Install Catchr Add-on for Google Sheets

Once you have installed the add-on, you can start making requests.

The tutorial

Quick steps to create a Shopify report with Looker Studio:

You can easiliy create a Shopify report following this step :

  1. Get informations from the data integration from our Shopify connector.
  2. Create a datasource and new report on Looker Studio.
  3. Choose your metrics and dimensions.
  4. Use charts with your metrics and dimensions.
If you need more informations, you can follow the tutorial. You can also find a template for Shopify at the end of the page.

The tutorial

Quick steps to create a Shopify report with PowerBI:

You can easiliy create a Shopify report following this step :

  1. Get informations from the data integration from our Shopify connector.
  2. Create a source on catchr.io.
  3. Configure your request on the PowerBI request manager.
  4. Copy the given URL in PowerBI
If you need more informations, you can follow the tutorial. You can also find a template for Shopify at the end of the page.

The tutorial

It's no secret that making a professional e-commerce website can cost you an average investment of $3,000 to $6,000. However, the true challenge lies beyond the investment. If your website doesn't perform optimally, all those valuable resources, time, and efforts can swiftly go to waste. This is precisely where the significance of Shopify KPIs becomes crystal clear.

These KPIs go beyond mere numbers; they represent the critical metrics you must monitor and manage in your online store. Whether your KPIs indicate room for improvement or boast impressive numbers, they are key to your digital marketing strategy. So, this blog will unveil the secrets behind the most important KPIs for e-commerce. We'll show you how to track them, why they matter, and how to use them to make your online business soar to new heights.

What are Shopify's KPIs?

As we know, KPIs are measurable metrics used to assess the performance and success of a business, project, or specific activity. These indicators are invaluable for organizations, enabling them to measure their progress toward their goals and make informed, data-driven decisions.

Now, if we shift our focus to Shopify KPIs, we'll be talking about specialized metrics crafted to evaluate and enhance the performance of online stores and businesses operating on the Shopify ecommerce platform. These tailored metrics are vital in e-commerce, assisting Shopify businesses in:

  • Tracking and improving their online sales.
  • Enhancing the customer experience.
  • Achieving overall success.

Why Are Shopify KPIs Important?

Recent studies indicated that 79% of businesses use KPIs annually to improve business growth. This statistic underscores the importance of implementing Shopify metrics in your e-commerce strategy. When you work with a system of checks and balances provided by Shopify KPIs, you can substantially increase revenue and enhance your overall business performance.

KPI design and implementation behavior and Anticipation of KPI changes next year

With these metrics, you can make strategic decisions and generate insightful digital marketing reports, ensuring that your online business remains on a path of continuous improvement and growth. Below are additional compelling reasons highlighting why Shopify KPIs are crucial

1. Measure Progress Toward Goals

By monitoring Shopify key metrics over time, store owners gain a transparent view of their online store's performance. For instance, if you've set a goal to increase your monthly sales revenue by 30% over the next quarter. With the help of Shopify KPIs related to sales and revenue, you can continually track your progress towards achieving this target.

Suppose, after a few weeks, the metrics reveal that your income only grows 10%. In that case, these KPIs act as an early alert, prompting you to reevaluate your strategies, such as launching a targeted marketing campaign or introducing new products to boost your sales and get back on track toward your business objectives.

2. Identify and Address Problems Early

Proactive problem-solving is a hallmark of successful e-commerce. Regularly tracking KPIs enables store owners to detect issues early in their development. 

Whether it's a sudden drop in conversion rates, a spike in cart abandonment, or a decline in organic search traffic, KPIs allow you to pinpoint these problems before they significantly impact your business. And if you address these issues promptly, they can prevent revenue loss, keep customers satisfied, and protect your brand's reputation.

3. Improve Overall Performance

Shopify KPIs are not just tools for monitoring; they are instruments for growth. Store owners can actively work on improving their KPIs over time. For instance, knowing which marketing channels are most effective allows you to invest more in those channels, resulting in increased traffic and revenue. 

Continuous improvement in Shopify KPIs translates to better overall performance, increased efficiency, and sustained growth for your online store.

Which Shopify KPIs Should You Track?

Now, we will delve into the practicality of tracking the Shopify KPIs. And let’s not overwhelm you with a long list of KPIs. Instead, we will be focussing on the essential 5 KPIs that cover the most vital aspects of assessing your e-commerce business's performance.

1. Conversion Rate

The conversion rate reveals the number of visitors who went from just looking around to making a purchase, showing us how many of them did so. It reflects the strength and quality of traffic entering your online store.

Why it Matters

It matters because it signifies that your website effectively turns visitors into paying customers. On average, e-commerce conversion rates typically hover around 2.5-3%. This figure serves as a foundation for your online store. And achieving a 3%-plus conversion rate should be the target, as it directly impacts your bottom line. Here are some strategies every Shopify owner needs to follow to improve their conversion rate.

  • Optimize Website Performance: Address technical issues hindering your website's loading speed. Slow load times can deter potential buyers.
  • Simplify User Experience: Provide a clear, straightforward path for customers. Each page should have one primary call to action, avoiding overwhelming visitors with too many choices.
  • Spark a Rush: Creating a sense of urgency, such as showcasing limited stock or a time-limited sale, can prompt undecided visitors to make a purchase.

2. Average Order Value (AOV)

AOV calculates the average expenditure of a customer in a single transaction. AOV directly affects the growth of revenue in your e-commerce business. Increasing AOV can elevate your earnings without necessitating a surge in website traffic or a spike in the number of customers. This means you can enhance your bottom line without stretching your resources. Here are some of the strategies for improving your AOV:

  • Upselling: Offer customers complementary products or premium versions during purchase. For example, suggesting a matching accessory to accompany a clothing purchase
  • Minimum Spend for Free Shipping: Encourage customers to spend more by providing free shipping for orders that exceed a certain threshold. For instance, free shipping above the purchase of $500. This motivates customers to add more products to their cart in order to qualify for free shipping.
  • Bundling Products: Create product bundles or kits with a slightly reduced overall price compared to buying items individually. Customers may be enticed to buy more when they see the value in purchasing a bundle.
  • Loyalty Programs: Reward customers who spend more by enrolling them in loyalty programs that offer extra benefits and discounts.

To find the AOV, divide the total revenue by the number of orders. For instance, if your store records 100 orders with a total revenue of $1,000, your AOV would be $10. A high AOV suggests that your online store sells high-value items or effectively upsells customers.

3. Shopping Cart Abandonment Rate

E-commerce businesses face a critical challenge in the form of the shopping cart abandonment rate. It's a key performance indicator (KPI) that unveils how many potential customers initiate shopping by adding items to their cart but halt before purchasing. All e-commerce businesses should aim to reduce this cart abandonment rate.

Surprisingly, statistics from the Baymard Institute reveal that the usual shopping cart abandonment rate for e-commerce sites hovers around 70.19%. This problem can be attributed to several factors, including:

  • Unexpected Costs: Shipping costs, taxes, and other unexpected fees can surprise shoppers at checkout and lead them to abandon their carts.
  • A complicated Checkout Process: A long and complex checkout process can be frustrating for shoppers and lead them to give up and leave.
  • Insufficient Payment Choices: When shoppers can't use their preferred method, they might leave their carts in the middle.
  • Technical Issues: Technical problems, such as website errors or delayed loading, can also lead to shopping cart abandonment.

Balancing the E-commerce Equation

Two pivotal metrics that profoundly influence your digital marketing efforts' financial well-being and enduring success are Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Performing Shopify competitor analysis is necessary for this task. Let's explore the delicate balancing act required to manage these Shopify KPIs effectively.

1. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

Around 76% of businesses regard CLV as the most crucial Shopify KPI because it reveals the long-term value a customer contributes to the company. It involves assessing the revenue a customer generates through repeated purchases, the frequency of those purchases, and the average monetary value of each transaction. Maximizing CLV is a primary goal for e-commerce businesses. This pursuit aids them in several key areas including:

  • Enhancing customer loyalty
  • Encouraging repeat business
  • Cross-selling or upselling to existing customers.

2. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

On the flip side, CAC covers those resources invested to acquire new customers. It factors in marketing and advertising expenses, sales team salaries, and other costs associated with attracting potential buyers to your online store. 

The goal is to keep CAC as low as possible while ensuring it effectively draws quality customers. On the contrary, a high CAC compared to CLV may raise a red flag, suggesting that the expense of obtaining customers surpasses the revenue they generate.

Inventory levels

The term' inventory levels' denotes the volume of products and merchandise a company keeps in its inventory, readily available for sale at any specific time. This key performance indicator (KPI) is often underestimated in its significance, yet it can be the keystone that determines the fate of your e-commerce enterprise.

The Inventory Balancing Act

Imagine inventory levels as a tightrope walk where the delicate balance between overstocking and understocking must be maintained. Overstocking can lead to excess holding costs, obsolete products, and funds tied up in unsold items. While understocking leads to lost sales, frustrated customers, and a damaged brand reputation. To navigate this tightrope effectively, e-commerce businesses employ a range of strategies, including:

  • Demand Forecasting
  • Just-in-Time Inventory
  • Supplier Relationships
  • Inventory Turnover
  • Safety Stock

Catchr: The Ultimate Tool For Tracking and Improving Your Shopify KPIs

As a busy business owner, you must know that tracking KPIs isn't an easy feat. You're constantly juggling with multiple responsibilities, and it can be overwhelming to track, manage and maintain KPIs as well. But what if we say you don't need to handle it alone? Yes it's true because Catchr is here to help you. It is the tool that simplifies every aspect of your Shopify KPI management.

With Catchr, you can seamlessly connect your Shopify data to Google Data Studio, reducing the complexities of data analysis to a single click. You can also create comprehensive digital marketing reports with this no-code platform. 

It can promptly alert you when something goes wrong with your marketing campaign, enabling you to take swift action to maintain the success of your business. So, go for Catchr, as it stands out as the top software in the market for maintaining and tracking your KPIs.

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In this Shopify template, you will find all the metrics and dimensions you would need to get a better view of your data.

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In this Shopify template, you will find all the metrics and dimensions you would need to get a better view of your data thank to our integrations.

If you need more templates, you could look at our PowerBI template gallery.

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