Is your website configured to generate links via phone calls? Are you struggling to understand which traffic channels and keywords are relevant to your business? In this article I will show you how to set up call tracking in Google Analytics – step by step.
How can I track calls in Google Analytics?
Before we throw ourselves into a detailed step-by-step guide, here’s a brief answer.
In order to track calls in Google Analytics, you must first install Google Analytics, set up the call extension and place the call report in your Google Ads account. Then configure the call forwarding and its duration. Then add your conversion tag (parts of the JavaScript code) to your website and start tracking your calls.
Below you will find detailed information on how to track your calls in Google Analytics.
Part 1: Install Google Analytics on your website.
You can skip this step if you already have Google Analytics installed on your website. If not, here are the steps to follow
Step 1: Creating an account
To create a Google Analytics account, go to the official Google Analytics website and click on the Free start button in the top right corner.
Step 2: Sign in to your Google Account
The step above will take you to the registration form. Enter your Gmail address and password and then click Next.
*If you don’t have a Google Account, click Create Account and enter the correct information.
Step 3: Add account name
Once you are logged into Google Analytics, click the Free Setup button and add your account name. It could be the name of your website or something else. Leave all recommended options selected, scroll down and click Next.
Step 4: Select what you want to measure.
In this step, choose whether you want to measure a website, an application or both and click Next/Create.
Step 5: Give information about your home
Enter the name of your website, the URL, the category of your company and the time zone of the report to sync with your local time. Then click Create.
Step 6: Conditions
Now accept the specific Google terms and conditions for your country or region and click the Accept button. Here we go. You have just created a Google Analytics account.
Step 7: Set tracking code
To collect call data and view reports in Google Analytics, you need to install a tracking code on your website. The tracking code for your site should appear once you have completed the creation of your account.
Part 2: Tracking calls in Google Analytics
Now that you have Google Analytics installed on your website, it’s easy to track your calls. There are two methods to achieve this goal, namely
- Setting up events and objectives in Google Analytics
- Using the Google Analytics application integration
Let’s start without wasting time.
Method 1: Event setup in Google Analytics
This method tracks user interactions on your website, such as B. Click on mobile ads, flash elements or videos.
Events in Google Analytics can be used to track users calling your mobile phone number. The reason I prefer to use events to follow conversations is that you can follow more interactions than just filling out the basic form.
In addition, you can split all the calls you receive into specific sources, whether it’s a direct call, an e-campaign, an organic or social call. This will help you better understand how and why you received a particular business call.
Step 1: Creating an event in Google Analytics
Login to your Tag Manager account. If you don’t have one, click here to open the account creation page. Enter your account name and country.
Step 2: Positioning of containers
Enter the full URL of the website whose visits you want to track, select the target platform and click Create.
Step 3: Acceptance of the terms and conditions of Google Tag Manager
Click on the Yes button to confirm that you accept the terms of use.
Step 4: Installation of the Goog Beacon Manager
You will then see a pop-up window, copy the first code and paste it onto every page of your website just after the tag. If you are using WordPress, just add it after the tag in the header.php file or use a plugin to do so. Then copy the second code and paste it after the tag. Save the changes.
Step 5: Configuration tags
When all of the above items are installed, click the Workspace tab and then click Tags in the left pane.
Step 6: Creating a new tag
Click a new button to start creating a new tag and then click Configure Tag.
Step 7: Adjust your day
Scroll down and select Google Calls for website conversion ads.
Step 8: Telephone number setting
Now enter the phone number of the replacement. Remember that the number you enter must be exactly the same as the number on your website. Also add your Google Ads conversion ID and conversion tag.
Then press the Trigger button and create a trigger that is activated when you press a phone number. Save the changes and enter a day.
Method 2: Use of integration with Google Analytics
Well, as you’ve seen, tracing calls takes time and code. Sometimes things get difficult and complicated and you can give up everything.
But fortunately there are many custom applications and call tracking software that can help you overcome all that frustration. Some of the applications you can use:
- Phonexa Platform
- Endless monitoring of conversations
- LogMy calls
- Simple call follow-up
The question now is how these applications can be synchronized with Google Analytics. You must first register on these platforms from their official sites and create a feature in Google Analytics, as explained above.
After the configuration, go to the application toolbar and choose integration with Google Analytics. Then enter your Google Analytics tracking ID and profile name and save the changes.
Once linked, a pixel fire request is sent to Google Analytics when a call comes in from the platform.
Frequently asked questions
What types of call conversion can I follow?
Call conversions can be tracked in four ways: Calling from ads to a phone number on your website, clicking on a phone number on your website and calling conversion imports.
How much do call tracking requests cost?
Call tracking software has different prices, but in most cases they vary from $50 per month or more, depending on the call volume and the number of features you want to use.
What are the disadvantages of using Google for call tracking?
Google can only track conversions based on the duration of the proxy call. That’s why Google cannot count calls lasting more than two minutes. In addition, it can only trace calls from advertisements and cannot provide call information such as keywords.
Do I need to use call tracking software with Google Analytics?
Google Analytics benefits from call tracking software because you get more accurate reports on phone conversions. In addition, you can follow calls that do not come from click-throughs.
Last words
I think you managed to set up call tracking on Google Analytics. Just a reminder: There are two ways to trace calls. You can do this by creating events in Google Analytics or by using call tracking software. The second method is the simplest, because it does not require any technical skills. However, the first method is free – it won’t cost you a penny.
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