Counting online payment transactions and counting conversions from the order-confirmation level is very rarely without error. We outline the reason for the discrepancies that arise and offer advice on how to minimize errors associated with uncounted transactions.
Most transaction counting scripts are run with JavaScript or with a pixel. Calling up the page on which the script or pixel resides causes the transactions to be counted for statistics - for the purposes of counting conversions in affiliate programs, or Google Analytics statistics.
The simplest method, which should theoretically ensure 100% success in counting, is to place the script or counting pixel on the order-confirmation page of the payment method with which you complete the order.
Our observations show that counting transactions at the order-confirmation level has a greater impact on the counting error than the alternative method we propose to our clients. In addition, the idea of counting after at the order-confirmation level depends on the Internet connection, through which not all images (a pixel is also an image) can load. JavaScript reacts similarly - a page not fully loaded will not send JS data.
Our suggestion is to count transactions even before they go to the payment system. A counting error that occurs when a payment is selected and not completed has less impact on statistics than an error caused by not calling the script one step later - in order-confiramtion. This is because customers are more likely to choose to finish transactions after selecting a payment, rather than return to the store (and call order-confirmation) from an external payment page, even if they have successfully finished payments on it.
The exceptions to this are the Payment by Wire (bankwire) and Personal Collection (cashondelivery) modules - counting transactions in order-confirmation of these modules gives 100% confidence in the counted statistics.
Need help improving scripts and pixels counting transactions in your store? Feel free to contact us.
UPDATE!
We have created a module thatgrantects a permanent connection to your Google Analytics account and provides a very accurate (100%) counting of conversions and sending information about it from PrestaShop to your Google Analytics account. More information below:
https://prestashow.com/pl/moduly-prestashop/28-google-analytics-konwersja-dla-prestashop.html