How to track form submissions with Google Tag Manager

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Tracking form submissions with Google Tag Manager (GTM) allows you to capture valuable data about user interactions on your website, such as when users complete and submit forms. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to track form submissions using GTM:

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

  • Access to Google Tag Manager: You should have a GTM container installed on your website.
  • Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS: This will be helpful for identifying form elements.

Step-by-Step Guide to Track Form Submissions with Google Tag Manager

1. Set Up a Form Listener Tag

  1. Log in to Google Tag Manager:
  2. Create a New Tag:
    • Navigate to “Tags” in your GTM dashboard and click on “New Tag.”
  3. Tag Configuration:
    • Choose a tag type. For form submissions, select “Tag Configuration” and choose “Google Analytics: Universal Analytics” if you are using Universal Analytics (gtag.js).
    • Select “Event” as the track type.
  4. Configure Event Tracking:
    • Set the following fields:
      • Category: Enter a category name (e.g., “Form”).
      • Action: Specify an action name (e.g., “Submit”).
      • Label (Optional): Add additional details if needed (e.g., form ID or name).
  5. Trigger Configuration:
    • Click on “Triggering” to set up a new trigger.
    • Select “Trigger Configuration” and choose “Form Submission.”
    • Specify the trigger to fire on “Some Forms,” and configure it to fire on forms that match your criteria (e.g., all forms, specific form IDs or classes).
  6. Save Tag:
    • Name your tag (e.g., “Form Submission – GA”) and click on “Save.”

2. Test and Publish

  1. Preview Mode:
    • Click on “Preview” to enter preview mode in GTM.
    • Open your website in a new tab to test the form submission tracking.
  2. Submit a Form:
    • Fill out and submit a form on your website to test if the tag fires correctly.
  3. Debug and Verify:
    • Use the GTM preview mode to debug and verify that the tag fires upon form submission.
    • Check the Google Analytics real-time reports to ensure the event is being tracked correctly.
  4. Publish Changes:
    • Once verified, click on “Submit” in GTM to publish your changes live.

3. View Form Submission Data in Google Analytics

  1. Access Google Analytics:
    • Log in to your Google Analytics account and select the property and view where you set up the form submission tracking.
  2. Navigate to Events:
    • Go to “Behavior” > “Events” > “Top Events” to see an overview of the form submission events tracked.
  3. Analyze Form Submission Data:
    • Drill down into specific event categories, actions, and labels to analyze form submission data.
    • Use secondary dimensions to gain additional insights (e.g., source/medium, landing page).

Additional Tips

  • Enhanced E-commerce Tracking: For e-commerce forms (like checkout or lead generation), consider implementing enhanced e-commerce tracking in Google Analytics for more detailed insights.
  • Data Layer: If your form submission involves dynamic elements or complex interactions, use a data layer in GTM to capture specific information and pass it to Google Analytics.
  • Regular Monitoring: Monitor form submission data regularly to identify trends, optimize form usability, and improve conversion rates.

By following these steps, you can effectively track form submissions using Google Tag Manager and leverage the data to optimize your website’s performance and user experience.

Categories: Digital Marketing