Full Answer

The misconception that Enhanced Conversions requires gtag.js alone costs WooCommerce stores flexibility. Google supports three official implementation paths, each suited to different technical stacks and operational requirements.

Google Tag Manager remains the most popular method. You configure a conversion tag with user-provided data variables — email, phone, address — and GTM handles the SHA256 hashing before transmission. Setup takes 30-60 minutes for someone comfortable with GTM's interface, and Google's diagnostics tab confirms whether hashed data is being received correctly.

The gtag.js direct method works for stores that prefer lightweight JavaScript without a tag management layer. You modify the conversion snippet to include user data fields, and the gtag library handles hashing automatically. This approach suits simple setups but becomes harder to maintain as tracking requirements grow across multiple platforms.

The Google Ads API method is the most powerful option. It enables server-side enhanced conversions through offline conversion imports, meaning your server sends hashed customer data directly to Google — no browser dependency, no ad blocker interference, no client-side timing issues. WordPress plugins that connect to the Ads API effectively automate this third method, wrapping the complexity in a settings interface that requires zero code from the store owner.