So, you’re running Facebook ads and hoping people are buying, right? But the real question is—are your ads actually bringing in sales?
If you don’t know for sure, don’t worry. Many beginners feel the same. That’s why learning how to track purchases on Facebook ads is a game-changer. It helps you see exactly what’s working and what’s not.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything step by step. No confusing tech terms. Just straight talk to help you understand how to track sales from your ads easily. Let’s get into it.
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Why You Should Track Your Sales
Imagine this: You spend $100 on ads. You get a few clicks. Maybe even some sales. But you have no clue which ad worked.
That’s a problem.
When you don’t track, you’re just guessing. But if you do set up tracking, you can:
- Know which ad made the sale
- Stop wasting money
- Boost your return on ad spend
- Make smart decisions
Basically, tracking your purchases gives you control.
What You Need to Start Tracking
Okay, before you begin, make sure you have these ready:
- A Facebook Business Manager account
- Access to your website (like Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom site)
- Something to sell
- A little time to follow the steps
That’s all. You don’t need to be a tech expert.
Step 1: Create Your Facebook Pixel
The Facebook Pixel is like your little sales detective. It tells you when someone clicks your ad and buys.
Here’s how to make one:
- Go to Facebook Events Manager
- Click “Connect Data Sources”
- Choose Web
- Select Meta Pixel and hit Get Started
- Name your pixel and add your website
- Click Continue
Done! Your pixel is now ready.
Step 2: Add Pixel to Your Website
Now it’s time to connect that pixel to your site. How you do this depends on what platform you use.
If you’re on Shopify:
- Go to Online Store > Preferences
- Paste your Pixel ID in the Facebook section
If you use WordPress (WooCommerce):
- Install the Facebook for WooCommerce plugin
- Connect your Facebook account
- Done! Your pixel is auto-added
For custom websites:
- Copy the pixel base code
- Paste it in the
<head>section on each page
Most platforms make it super simple with built-in options or plugins.
Step 3: Set Up the Purchase Event
Alright, now we tell the pixel what to look for. In this case, we want it to track purchases.
You do this using a little code called a standard event.
Here’s what it looks like:
fbq('track', 'Purchase', {
value: 49.99,
currency: 'USD'
});
You’ll need to place this code on your “thank-you page” (the page users see after buying). If you’re using Shopify or WooCommerce, it’s usually handled for you automatically.
Step 4: Test If It’s Working
Don’t skip this part—it’s important! Use the Facebook Pixel Helper Chrome extension. It checks if your pixel is firing correctly.
- Install the extension
- Visit your site
- Check for a green checkmark
- Make a test purchase or visit the thank-you page
- See if the “Purchase” event shows
If it works, you’re good to go. If not, double-check your code or ask your developer for help.
Step 5: View Your Sales in Ads Manager
Once everything’s running, you’ll be able to see your sales data right inside Ads Manager.
Here’s how:
- Open Ads Manager
- Pick your ad campaign
- Click Columns > Customize Columns
- Choose Website Purchases, Cost per Purchase, and Purchase Value
- Apply and save
Now you’ll know exactly which ad brought in a sale—and how much that sale cost you.
Bonus Tip: Use UTM Tags
Want to double-check your Facebook sales inside Google Analytics? Use UTM tags in your ad URLs. They help you track where users came from and what they did on your site. Tools like Campaign URL Builder by Google make this easy.
What About 3rd-Party Checkouts?
If you use platforms like Teespring, Gumroad, or Payhip, things might be a bit different.
Most of them let you add tracking pixels. Just check their settings or help guides.
If not, you can try using tools like Zapier to send purchase info to Facebook manually. A bit more advanced, but doable.
Real-Life Example for You
Let’s say you’re selling digital planners.
You run 3 Facebook ads. After setting up tracking, you check the data:
- Ad 1: 10 clicks, 0 sales
- Ad 2: 25 clicks, 5 sales
- Ad 3: 8 clicks, 2 sales
Now you know Ad 2 is your winner. You can pause the rest and focus your budget where it works best. Easy, right?
Wrap Up – You’re Now Smarter with Ads
So that’s it! That’s how to track purchases on Facebook ads in simple steps.
Once you set this up, your ads become way more powerful. You’ll stop guessing. You’ll start knowing what’s working. And that’s how real businesses grow.
If you’re just starting out, take it one step at a time. Once it’s working, you’ll feel way more confident and in control. At Tech Trick Solutions, we turn techy stuff into easy tricks anyone can follow.
Zaneek A. is a tech-savvy content strategist and SaaS marketing writer. With a sharp focus on helping SaaS brands grow smarter, Zaneek shares simple guides, smart tools, and proven tips that help businesses reach the right audience faster. When not writing, he’s testing new digital tools or breaking down marketing trends into bite-sized insights.