Are you looking to track form submissions on your website but don’t want to deal with complicated coding? Google Tag Manager (GTM) offers a simple and efficient way to track form submissions without directly modifying your website’s code. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of tracking any form submission step by step. Whether you’re a digital marketer, website owner, or analytics enthusiast, this guide will help you streamline your tracking process.
Why Track Form Submissions?
Forms are a critical part of most websites, used for lead generation, customer inquiries, event signups, and more. By tracking form submissions, you can:
- Measure conversion rates.
- Analyze user behavior.
- Optimize your forms for better performance.
- Understand which marketing efforts drive the most leads.
Using GTM, you can track form submissions across different platforms and send this data to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), making it easier to measure and optimize your campaigns.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- A Google Tag Manager account.
- A Google Analytics 4 property.
- Admin access to your website.
Step 1: Identify the Form You Want to Track
Before setting up GTM, you need to identify the form on your website. There are two common scenarios for form tracking:
- Standard Forms: Forms that redirect to a thank-you page after submission.
- Dynamic Forms: Forms that submit without reloading the page (AJAX forms).
In both cases, GTM can help track these submissions effectively.
Step 2: Set Up a Trigger in GTM
2.1 Create a New Trigger
- Log in to your GTM account and select your container.
- Click on Triggers > New > Trigger Configuration.
- Choose the trigger type based on your form type:
- For standard forms, select Page View and set it to fire on the thank-you page.
- For dynamic forms, select Form Submission.
- Configure the trigger to match your form’s unique attributes, such as form ID or class.
2.2 Test the Trigger
- Click Preview in GTM to enter Debug Mode.
- Submit the form on your website and check if the trigger fires correctly.
Step 3: Create a Tag to Send Data to GA4
3.1 Create a GA4 Event Tag
- Go to Tags > New > Tag Configuration.
- Select Google Analytics: GA4 Event.
- Fill in the details:
- Configuration Tag: Select your existing GA4 configuration tag.
- Event Name: Use a descriptive name like
form_submission. - Event Parameters: Add parameters such as form ID, form name, or page URL for detailed tracking.
3.2 Link the Tag to the Trigger
- Scroll down to the Triggering section.
- Select the form submission trigger you created earlier.
3.3 Save and Publish
- Save the tag and click Submit to publish your changes.
- Test the setup by submitting the form and checking the data in the GA4 Realtime section.
Step 4: Validate Your Tracking Setup
4.1 Use GTM Debug Mode
- Enter Debug Mode and test the form submission on your website.
- Ensure the tag fires correctly and sends data to GA4.
4.2 Check GA4 Realtime Reports
- Go to your GA4 property.
- Navigate to Reports > Realtime.
- Look for the
form_submissionevent and verify the parameters.
Advanced Tips for Form Tracking
- Track Multiple Forms:
- Create separate triggers for each form if you want to track them individually.
- Use custom event parameters to distinguish between forms.
- Track Errors:
- Add error-tracking triggers to understand when users encounter issues submitting forms.
- Integrate with Other Tools:
- Send form submission data to tools like Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, or CRM systems for better marketing insights.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Problem: Trigger Doesn’t Fire
- Double-check the form’s attributes (ID, class, etc.) in your website’s HTML.
- Ensure the trigger’s conditions are correctly configured.
Problem: Data Not Showing in GA4
- Verify the Measurement ID in your GA4 configuration tag.
- Check if the tag is firing in GTM Debug Mode.
Problem: Multiple Submissions Logged
- Use GTM’s built-in variables to ensure the trigger fires only once per submission.
Get Expert Help with GTM and GA4
Setting up form tracking can be challenging, especially for dynamic websites. If you need professional assistance, our team of GTM and GA4 experts at GA4 Specialist and DigiHunt Info is here to help. With years of experience, we provide tailored solutions to meet your tracking and analytics needs.
Conclusion
Tracking form submissions with Google Tag Manager is a powerful way to measure your website’s performance and improve user engagement. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you can easily set up form tracking and gain valuable insights into your website’s conversions.
For additional guidance, check out our expert services or watch the video tutorial embedded on this page. Start tracking smarter and achieving better results today!