The 5-Step Facebook Pixel Audit to Fix BigCommerce Tracking Problems

bigcommerce facebook pixel audit featured photo

This is a comprehensive facebook pixel audit for BigCommerce stores that cover how to install the Facebook pixel and how to diagnose and fix common Facebook pixel issues.

If you use Shopify instead of BigCommerce, go to this post instead: link to the shopify facebook pixel audit.

Author’s Note: If you’re looking to troubleshoot a particular error message, this “Common Errors Guide” might help: Four Common Facebook Pixel Error Messages

Here’s what you’ll learn once you’re done:

  1. Install your pixel tracking in a way that allows you to see if your visits become sales
  2. Using the Facebook Pixel Helper Tool to Find Pixel Errors
  3. How to fix the situation where you have multiple pixel IDs firing at the same time
  4. Learn to Track Purchase Conversion Value, Cost per Purchase, and Return on Ad Spend
  5. Where to Find and How to Use the Facebook Analytics Tool so you can see shop-level revenue

Once you get a grip on these, you’ll be able to create a report in Facebook Ads Manager that looks like this:

facebook_ads_manager

Beyond ad tracking, Facebook also has an analytics platform that records and tracks all the purchases (and its associated data) on your site through Facebook Analytics (their answer to Google Analytics). Here’s a blurred snapshot from a client:

facebook analytics

Now let’s get to the installation process.

How to Set Up the Facebook Pixel Helper in your BigCommerce Store

Go to Facebook Business Manager.

Then click on “Pixels”.

facebook business manager

If you haven’t created a pixel yet, you’ll see this image:

Facebook Pixel Setup

Once you create the pixel, save and store your Pixel ID.

If you have created a pixel already, you’ll see a different interface and all you have to do is to go to the top right area and then copy the Pixel ID value here.

Facebook Pixel ID Number

Now login to BigCommerce. Go to Advanced Settings > Web Analytics. Check on “Facebook Pixel” and click on “Save” at the bottom right area.

BigCommerce Settings Facebook Pixel Radio Button

Select the Facebook Pixel tab, then paste the Pixel ID.

BigCommerce Facebook Pixel Field

How to Use the Facebook Pixel Helper Tool to Find Pixel Errors

Next, we’ll check if the tracking pixels are working at all the right moments (add to cart, initiate checkout, and purchase).

To start, get the Facebook Pixel Helper here (Chrome) or here (Firefox).

Once you’ve set it up, go to your BigCommerce store.

Visit your website, then proceed to the product page. Click on “Add to Cart”.

When you click on blue pixel icon on your browser (see below)…

Facebook Pixel Chrome Extension


… you should then see “Add to Cart” pop up:

Facebook Pixel Chrome Extension Popup

Disclaimer: if your store immediately redirects to the cart page, it will only show up for a short while since you’re redirecting yourself to a new page. It still means that it’s working – you just need to have some quick eyes and catch the pixel fire before it redirects to the cart page.

Next, go to your cart and attempt to purchase an item off your site.

Once you purchase an item, you should see the “Purchase” pixel fire on the thank you page.

Are there multiple pixel IDs? Check your 3rd party plugins

To identify conflicts in your Bigcommerce store, visit any product page in your website. Next, click the pixel viewer and check if there’s a familiar 3rd party tool name in it (you would know since you’ve installed it.

For example, this is how it would look like:

  • VantagePageView
  • VantageInitiateCheckout

This, for example, is associated with the Vantage Plugin.

You can see all the plugins that might cause duplicate tracking here: https://www.bigcommerce.com/apps/digital-marketing-advertising/

At times, you’ll need to check the pixel name itself and check content_id. If you’re using AdRoll, this is how it would look like:

Facebook Pixel Popup Content ID

Learn to Track Purchase Conversion Value & Cost Per Purchase

Now let’s move to the fun part: let’s see all your data in action..

To view your data, go to Business Manager then click on Ads Reporting.

Click on “Create Report” then “Columns” and finally “Customize Columns…”

Then search & enter the KPIs that you want to track. I suggest starting with these:

  • Reach
  • Impressions
  • Clicks
  • Cost per Click
  • AddToCart
  • Cost per AddToCart
  • Cost per Purchase (Facebook Pixel)
  • Purchase (Facebook Pixel)

Once done, you should see a report that looks like this If you had issues with your tracking, it is likely this will be empty (or the data won’t make sense). But in 2 weeks, data should populate and you’ll get to see a clearer overview of your Facebook data.

Where to Find and Use the Facebook Analytics Tool so you can see Shop-Level Revenue

Now, if you want to look at shop level revenue and find triggers on why people buy (e.g. time of day, age, gender, etc.), then you first need to go to Business Manager > Measure & Report > Analytics.

Facebook Measure Report Analytics

Assuming that you’ve had your pixel for 28 days and thus you have lots of data uploaded, your dashboard should look like this:

Facebook Analytics Dashboard

And if you go to the left panel and click on “revenue”…

Facebook Analytics Dashboard Revenue

… you should see a new page that reveals all key revenue information (sales value, sales volume, sales per user, etc.)

Facebook Analytics Dashboard Revenue Graph

Filed Under: acquisition, Ecommerce, Facebook Advertising

Tagged With: bigcommerce, ecommerce, pixel tracking, tracking, tracking pixel

Publish Date

November 12, 2020

Kenn Costales
Owner & Lead Consultant

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