eCommerce analytics tool to grow your business

 No business can survive without accurate and up-to-date analytics. But when it comes to eCommerce, things get a little more complicated – you need to track not just website traffic and conversions, but also sales totals, average order value (AOV), product performance, and so on. Without a good eCommerce analytics tool in place, measuring your success (and figuring out where you need to improve) is difficult, if not impossible. 

Luckily, there are plenty of great options available for businesses of all sizes. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best eCommerce analytics tools out there and what makes them stand out from the crowd. We’ll also discuss who each tool might be best suited for and how to choose the right one for your business. So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the eCommerce game for a while, read on – this post has something for everyone!

What is an eCommerce Analytics Tool?

An eCommerce analytics tool is a software application that helps businesses collect, organize, and interpret data related to their online sales. This data can include website traffic, conversion rates, sales totals, AOV, and more. eCommerce analytics tools typically provide users with dashboard-style reports that make it easy to see how their business is performing at a glance. Many tools also offer features like goal tracking and custom report creation, which can be helpful for businesses that want to track specific KPIs. 

There are two main types of eCommerce analytics tools: self-hosted and cloud-based. Self-hosted tools are installed on your own servers, while cloud-based tools are hosted by the vendor. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll discuss in more detail later on.

Why Use an eCommerce Analytics Tool?

There are many reasons why businesses might choose to use an eCommerce analytics tool. The most obvious reason is that these tools make it easy to collect and track data related to your online sales. This data can be incredibly valuable in helping you understand how your business is performing and where you need to improve. 

Another big benefit of using an eCommerce analytics tool is that it can save you a lot of time. Rather than having to manually collect data from different sources and then try to make sense of it all, you can let the tool do the heavy lifting for you. This frees up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.

Finally, eCommerce analytics tools can help you spot trends and patterns that you might not have otherwise noticed. By tracking data over time, you can start to see which marketing campaigns are working, which products are selling well (and which ones aren’t), and much more. This information can be invaluable in helping you make decisions about where to focus your efforts going forward.

Choosing the Right eCommerce Analytics Tool

There are a lot of different eCommerce analytics tools on the market, which can make choosing the right one for your business a challenge. But don’t worry – we’re here to help! Here are some factors to consider when selecting an eCommerce analytics tool:

1. Self-Hosted or Cloud-Based? 

The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want a self-hosted or cloud-based eCommerce analytics tool. Both have their own pros and cons, so it’s important to evaluate your needs before making a decision. 

Self-hosted tools are usually more expensive than cloud-based options, but they offer more control and flexibility. You’ll need to set up and maintain your own servers, which can be a challenge if you’re not technically savvy. But if you want the ability to customize your tool to meet your specific needs, a self-hosted option might be the way to go.

Cloud-based eCommerce analytics tools are less expensive and easier to set up and use. But you’ll have less control over the tool and how it’s used, so it might not be the best choice for businesses with complex data needs. 

2. Pricing

Pricing is always an important consideration when choosing any software tool. eCommerce analytics tools typically charge based on the number of transactions or sales you process each month. Some tools also offer discounts for annual commitments or for businesses that process a high volume of transactions. 

Before making a decision, take some time to compare pricing plans from different vendors. And don’t forget to factor in any additional costs, such as for set-up, training, or customization.

3. Features

Another key consideration is the features offered by each tool. The specific features you need will depend on your business’s unique needs, but there are some common features that are worth looking for: 

• Dashboard reports: Dashboard reports make it easy to see how your business is performing at a glance. Look for a tool that offers customizable dashboards so that you can track the metrics that are most important to you.

• Goal tracking: Goal tracking can be helpful for businesses that want to track specific KPIs. Look for a tool that lets you set and track goals so that you can measure your progress over time.

• Data export: Data export is important if you want to be able to share or analyze your data outside of the tool. Look for a tool that lets you easily export data into a format that can be used in Excel or another data analysis tool.

4. Ease of Use

The ease of use is another critical consideration. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to use the tool, so look for something that’s relatively easy to set up and use. 

In general, cloud-based tools are going to be easier to use than self-hosted options. But even within the cloud-based category, there can be a lot of variation in terms of ease of use. So take some time to read reviews and compare user experiences before making your final decision.

5. Support

Finally, don’t forget to consider the level of support offered by each vendor. Things will inevitably go wrong from time to time, so it’s important to have a vendor that you can rely on for help when you need it. 

Look for a vendor that offers 24/7 support, as well as training resources such as online tutorials or live webinars. And be sure to read online reviews to get a sense of how responsive and helpful the vendor’s customer support team is.