What is Google Tag Manager (GTM)?
Google Tag Manager is a free tool that allows website owners to manage and deploy marketing tags (small code snippets) without requiring manual coding. These tags collect data and send it to platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and more, helping you make informed marketing decisions.
What are the usual use cases of Google Tag Manager (GTM)?
There are multiple use cases of Google Tags Manager; here are 3 common use cases of this tool provided by Google:
- You can monitor website performance.
- You can track user interactions like form submission, clicks, and product purchases.
- You can very easily edit or add codes to your site with Google Tag Manager.
What are the benefits of Google Tag Manager (GTM)?
Well, Google Tags Manager provides multiple benefits to its users. Let's discuss them one by one.
- Centralised Tag Management: With the help of GTM, you can manage all tags from a single place.
- Website performance Improvement: With GTM, you can manage to avoid code bloat and enhance the site performance.
- Tracking: It helps to provide precise tracking results of events, user interactions, and custom variables.
- Faster Website Updates: You can add any tag and make it live very quick.
- Error Avoidance: With the inbuilt error detection facility, you can minimise the chances of tag deployment errors.
- Version Control: GTM keeps a history of changes, allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed.
- Cross-platform Integration: Google Tag Manager or GTM seamlessly integrates with other Google Tools like Google Ads, Analytics, Search Console, etc.
- High Security: GTM helps ensure that only authorised users can manage tags, improving the security of your site.
Now let's start the process of Google Tag Manager (GTM) installation.
How to Add Google Tag Manager to Your WordPress Website?
First, start with the Google Tag Manager account creation. You'll need a Google Tag Manager account. Here's how:
#### Google Tag Manager (GTM) Account Creation
Step 1: Open your browser and search Google Tag Manager. Step 2: Click on Account Creation. Step 3: Enter your account name (e.g., your business name) and choose your country. Step 4: Input the container name (usually your website's domain) and select Web as the target platform. Step 5: Click create and accept the terms and conditions.
#### Google Tag Manager (GTM) Code Obtain
Now in this second stage, you have to collect the header and footer codes. These codes will be provided by Google.
Header Code: You have to place this code section of your website. Body Code: You have to place this code in the section of your website.
#### Add Google Tag Manager Code to WordPress
Now here comes the final part: adding the Google Tag Manager code to your WordPress website. There are two primary ways to do this: manually, or with a plugin called Insert Headers and Footers.
#### Option 1 (Manual way) to Add Google Tag Manager (GTM) Code to WordPress
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress Dashboard. Step 2: Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor. Step 3: Locate the header.php file. Step 4: Paste the header code just before the closing tag. Step 5: Locate the footer.php file. Step 6: Paste the body code immediately after the opening tag. Step 7: Press Save Changes.
Note: When editing theme files directly, use a child theme to avoid losing changes during theme updates.
#### Option 2 (Plugin Way) to Add Google Tag Manager (GTM) Code to WordPress
Now it's time for the plugin way, the easiest method, especially if you're not comfortable editing code. Step 1: First login to your WordPress website. Step 2: Visit the plugin section and click on Add New. Step 3: Search for WP Code Plugin. Step 4: Install and activate the WP Code plugin. Step 5: Add the header code into the head section and the body code into the body section. Step 6: Click on Save Changes.
How to verify your Google Tag Manager (GTM) code?
After you add your GTM code successfully to your WordPress website, now it's time to test your GTM code. To check your GTM code, open your website in a browser, right-click and select View Page Source, then check for the GTM code in the head and body sections.
If you're looking for a simpler approach, install a Chrome extension called "Google Tag Assistant." This will help you check your GTM code status.
How to add tags to Google Tag Manager (GTM)?
Step 1: Login to your Google Tag Manager Account. Step 2: Click on Add a New Tag. Step 3: Select the type of tag you want to add, such as Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or Hotjar. Step 4: Configure the tag settings and triggers (conditions under which the tag will fire). Step 5: Save and publish the tag.
Best practices for using Google Tag Manager (GTM) on WordPress
To maximise the benefits of Google Tag Manager, follow these tips: keep your tags organised with clear naming conventions for tags, triggers, and variables; always test before publishing using GTM's preview mode; update regularly to ensure your tags and triggers are up-to-date; and minimise tags to avoid excessive tags that can slow down your website.
Common issues and troubleshooting
Even with careful setup, issues may arise. If tags aren't firing, double-check triggers and ensure conditions are met. If the code isn't visible, ensure the GTM code is placed in the correct locations. If there are conflicts with other plugins, disable conflicting plugins and test again.
Conclusion
Integrating Google Tag Manager into WordPress is an essential step for any website owner looking to streamline their analytics and improve performance. With the detailed steps provided above, you can confidently set up GTM, track user interactions, and make data-driven decisions.
FAQs
Can I use Google Tag Manager without coding knowledge? Yes! Plugins like Insert Headers and Footers make it easy to integrate GTM without any coding skills.
Is Google Tag Manager free to use? Absolutely. Google Tag Manager is a free tool provided by Google.
What types of tags can I manage with Google Tag Manager? You can manage various tags, including Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, AdWords Conversion Tracking, and more.