LiteLytics
Back to All Reports

How To Analyze Cart Abandonment Value

April 23, 2025
5 min read

Learn how to analyze cart abandonment value in Google Analytics 4 to identify potential sales loss. This guide provides a structured approach to create a detailed report, offering key metrics and actionable insights.

Understanding Cart Abandonment Value in Google Analytics 4

Cart abandonment analysis is essential for e-commerce businesses, as it directly influences revenue potential. Studies indicate that average cart abandonment rates hover around 70%, representing substantial lost revenue opportunities. We’ll guide you through creating a detailed cart abandonment value report in Google Analytics 4 to help identify where and why you’re losing potential sales.

Basic Report Structure

  • Primary dimension: Session ID
  • Secondary dimensions: Page path and title
  • Key metrics: Add to cart events, Checkout starts, Purchases
  • Time frame comparison: Current period vs. previous period
  • Segmentation: User type and Device category

Steps to Create the Report

  1. Open GA4 and navigate to the Explore section.
  2. Click the Blank template to start a new exploration.
  3. Under the Dimensions, click the + button and search for Session ID, Page path and title, Device category, and User type; check the checkbox beside them and click Confirm.
  4. Under the Metrics, click the + button and search for Add to cart, Begin checkout, and Purchases; check the checkbox beside them and click Confirm.
  5. Drag Session ID to the Rows section.
  6. Drag Add to cart, Begin checkout, and Purchases to the Values section.
  7. Add a Comparison Date Range in the report settings.
  8. Create a calculated metric: (Add to cart - Purchases) / Add to cart * 100 for abandonment rate.
  9. Add Device category and User type as secondary dimensions.

Key Dimensions and Metrics Explained

  • Session ID: Tracks unique shopping sessions.
  • Page path and title: Identifies where abandonment occurs.
  • Device category: Shows abandonment patterns across devices.
  • Add to cart: Measures initial purchase intent.
  • Begin checkout: Tracks checkout initiation.
  • Purchases: Completed transactions.

Actionable Insights

  1. Identify specific pages where cart abandonment rates are highest and optimize those pages first.
  2. Compare abandonment rates across devices to detect potential technical issues.
  3. Analyze the difference between new and returning user abandonment rates to tailor retention strategies.
  4. Calculate the potential revenue value of abandoned carts to prioritize recovery efforts.
  5. Track seasonal patterns in abandonment rates to prepare targeted campaigns.

Answers Similar Questions

  1. How to track shopping cart abandonment in GA4.
  2. Calculate abandoned cart value in Google Analytics.
  3. GA4 cart abandonment report setup.
  4. Measure lost sales in Google Analytics.
  5. Track incomplete purchases in GA4.