In the realm of e-commerce data analytics, decoding user behavior is crucial for success.

The two key metrics that analysts often utilize to gain insights into user engagement and product performance are "sessions" and "PDP views" (Product Detail Page Views).

While these terms may appear simple, their differences and importance in e-commerce analytics can be complex.

In this article, we'll delve into the differences between sessions and PDP views and their individual roles in guiding data-driven decisions.

And we’ll also touch on how Datma’s analytics can be used to track such data.

What are Sessions and PDP Views?

Sessions

A "session" signifies a single, continuous visit by a user to an e-commerce website or app.

It commences when a user enters the site or app and concludes when they exit or remain inactive for a set time (typically 30 minutes).

Sessions offer a broad summary of user interactions, including page views, clicks, and transactions, during their visit.

They aid in measuring the overall engagement of users with your platform, showing how many unique interactions occur within a given time frame.

Sessions Analysis with Datma

Tracking Session data is easy with Datma’s analytics.

You can do so in two main ways:

• Keep track of your total Sessions for a date range chosen by you (compare view also available) in our ‘Overview’ default report.

  You can also choose the granularity of your data: be it by day, week or month, as the picture below shows.

• Keep track of your Sessions using our saved reports.

  These are custom reports that you can create to fit your needs.

  For example, you can create a report that tracks your Sessions by Exit Pages. Once again, for a date range chosen by you with compare view also available.

But Why Track Session Data Anyway?

Tracking your Session data provides a holistic view of user engagement, helping you understand the overall performance and effectiveness of your Shopify store (or any other online store) in attracting and retaining visitors.

PDP Views (Product Detail Page Views)

A "PDP view" specifically monitors instances when users view the detailed information of a product.

It is a crucial metric for e-commerce businesses as it signifies user interest in a specific product.

PDP views assist in identifying which products are popular, which might need optimization, and which could be promoted further.

They are more granular and focused on understanding the user's intent regarding particular products.

PDP Views Tracking with Datma

Datma specializes in product-level data analytics.

Thanks to its proprietary web script that collects and combines data from your store data base and Shopify, you gain exclusive insights like PDP (Product Detail Page) Views and PLP (Product Listing Page) Impressions at the SKU level as it can be noticed in the table below.

SKU	PDP Views	PLP Impressions
123456	2,456,345	3,000,015
234342	2,998,345	3,786,015

But Why Track PDP Views Anyway?

By tracking your PDP Views you gain comprehensive insights into your product performance, ensuring that no detail goes unnoticed.

This allows you to clearly identify which products are attracting attention and which are underperforming, enabling you to address issues proactively before they become costly liabilities.

You can read more about product analytics in our blog. A more comprehensive article is Product Analytics to Boost the Growth of Your Online Store and you’re welcomed to explore our other articles as well.

Key Differences

Granularity

• Sessions provide a comprehensive view of user interactions with the entire website or app.

  They encompass various actions like viewing multiple product pages, adding items to the cart, and completing transactions.

• PDP Views are product-specific and offer a more detailed perspective.

  They focus solely on users' interactions with individual product pages, including how often they are viewed and for how long.

User Intent

• Sessions don't necessarily disclose the intent behind user actions.

  For instance, a session may include several PDP Views, but it doesn't explain why a user was interested in those products.

• PDP Views directly indicate that a user is interested in a particular product.

  When a user repeatedly views the same PDP, it likely signifies a strong intent to purchase or further research.

Optimization and Strategy

• Sessions assist e-commerce businesses in understanding overall user engagement and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

• PDP Views are critical for product-specific optimization.

  Businesses can use this data to enhance the presentation, descriptions, and pricing of products with high PDP View counts.

Conversion Tracking

• Sessions are valuable for tracking conversions at a broader level, encompassing all actions leading to a transaction.

• PDP Views play a crucial role in tracking individual product page conversions, aiding businesses in understanding which products drive more sales.

Conclusion

Both sessions and PDP views are vital metrics in e-commerce data analytics, but they serve distinct functions.

Sessions offer a broad view of user engagement across an entire website or app, while PDP views provide specific insights into user interest in individual products.

To effectively leverage these metrics, e-commerce businesses should incorporate them into their analytics strategy, using sessions to evaluate overall performance and PDP views to optimize product-specific experiences.

Datma is a comprehensive data analytics solution for Shopify stores that can help you keep track of such data.

If you wish to receive a demo, you can register here.

By understanding these differences, e-commerce professionals can make data-driven decisions that enhance user satisfaction and drive business growth.