Prerequisites
- A Shopify store (any plan)
- Admin access to your store
- An active North Star Metric account
Step 1 — Install the app
- Go to the North Star Metric listing in the Shopify App Store.
- Click Add app.
- Review the permissions and click Install app.
| Permission | Why it’s needed |
|---|---|
read_orders | Match orders to ad clicks for attribution |
read_customers | Link returning customers across sessions |
read_products | Sync product costs for P&L calculation |
read_checkouts | Track checkout behavior for funnel analysis |
write_pixels | Install the tracking web pixel |
read_customer_events | Receive checkout and purchase events |
Step 2 — The pixel is activated automatically
After installation, NSM automatically installs a web pixel on your store. You don’t need to edit your theme, add code snippets, or configure anything manually.The web pixel loads asynchronously and is only ~8KB gzipped. It does not affect your store’s page load speed or Core Web Vitals.
Step 3 — Access your dashboard
After installation, you’ll be redirected to the North Star Metric dashboard at app.northstarmetric.io. The dashboard shows data starting from the moment the pixel was installed. Historical data before installation is not available.Step 4 — Complete onboarding
The onboarding wizard guides you through:- Verify tracking — Confirm your pixel is receiving events
- Connect ad platforms — Link Meta, Google Ads, and/or TikTok (optional, but recommended)
- Set up COGS — Enter product costs for accurate P&L reporting
Troubleshooting installation
The pixel isn't showing as active
The pixel isn't showing as active
- Visit your store in a new browser tab (incognito mode works too)
- Open the dashboard and check the Live Events section
- You should see a
page_viewevent within 30 seconds - If not, try reinstalling the app from the Shopify App Store
I see 'Pixel blocked' in the dashboard
I see 'Pixel blocked' in the dashboard
Some browser extensions (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger) can block tracking scripts. This is expected — NSM’s server-side tracking still works for the majority of your visitors. The dashboard shows your unblocked match rate.
I already have another attribution tool installed
I already have another attribution tool installed
NSM works alongside other tools. You can run both simultaneously to compare attribution data before switching fully. There is no conflict.