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Step-by-step guide to implementing Google Tag Manager code on your website.

Step By Step Google Tag Manager

The Necessity of Analytics Tools for Websites

As a website owner, collecting data about your visitors is essential for optimizing your website’s performance and making informed decisions. Analytics tools enable you to:

  • Track which pages your visitors view and how much time they spend on them.
  • Understand the channels they use to access your site and their subsequent actions.
  • Monitor conversion funnels.
  • Identify which pages lead visitors to leave your site.

This information is critical for identifying your website’s weak points and creating a more effective strategy.

Why Do I Recommend Google Tag Manager?

Google Tag Manager (GTM) allows you to manage all your tracking tags from a single platform without struggling with your site’s code.

Key Advantages:

  • Easy Management: Add and edit new tags without relying on developer support.
  • Cost and Time Efficiency: Frees you from dependency on developers, offering flexibility.
  • Speeds Up Your Website: Prevents different codes and tools from overloading your site by using a single code to track all tools.
  • Debugging and Testing: GTM makes testing setups easier with its preview mode.

How to Set Up Google Tag Manager (Step by Step)

Here’s a guide for beginners to set up Google Tag Manager:

  1. Create a Google Tag Manager Account

    • Visit the Google Tag Manager website.
    • Create an account and define an “account” for your site.
    • Select “Web” as the website type.

  2. Add GTM Code to Your Website

    There are essentially two ways to add the Google Tag Manager code to your website:

    • Using a plugin or
    • Adding it manually.

Since each plugin adds extra load to your website and may slow it down, I recommend manually placing the Google Tag Manager tracking code without using any intermediary software. This is the most optimal method for your website. If you need support on how to do this, write the platform(wix, wordpress ect)  you’re using in the comments.

  • Google Tag Manager provides you with a two-part code:

    Google Tag Manager installation steps showing the code snippets to be added in the and sections of a website.
    Step-by-step guide to implementing Google Tag Manager code on your website.
  • Place the first code inside the <head> tag of your website. To do this, locate the header.php file on your website and paste the copied GTM code right below the <head> tag.
  • Add the second code right below the <body> tag. Locate the footer.php file and paste the second part of the GTM code right below the <body> tag.
  • Enable the preview mode in Google Tag Manager to verify your setup.
  • If the setup is successful, GTM will display the tags it has fired.

How to Add Analytics Tools via Google Tag Manager

Once your GTM setup is complete, adding analytics tools is straightforward. Click the links below to explore my other guides for adding specific analytics tools: