How to set up Google Ads conversion tracking: A Step by Step Guide
Google Ads conversion tracking allows you to measure the actions users take after clicking on your ads, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form. Setting up conversion tracking helps you optimize your campaigns and allocate your budget more effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up Google Ads conversion tracking:
- Sign in to your Google Ads account: Log in to your account at https://ads.google.com/.
- Access the conversions page: From the top-right corner, click on “Tools & Settings,” then select “Conversions” under the “Measurement” section.
- Create a new conversion action: Click on the plus button (+) to create a new conversion action.
- Choose a conversion category: Select the category that best represents the type of conversion you want to track, such as “Website,” “App,” “Phone calls,” or “Import.” For this guide, we’ll focus on “Website” conversions.
- Configure your conversion settings: After selecting “Website,” fill in the required details for your conversion action:
a. Conversion name: Provide a clear and descriptive name for the conversion action. b. Category: Choose the most appropriate category for the conversion, such as “Purchase/Sale,” “Sign-up,” or “Lead.” c. Value: Assign a value for each conversion, or choose “Don’t use a value” if it doesn’t apply. d. Count: Select whether to count “Every” conversion or “One” conversion per ad click. e. Conversion window: Specify the maximum time frame after an ad click during which a conversion can be tracked, such as 30 days. f. Attribution model: Choose an attribution model, such as “Last click,” “Linear,” or “Position-based,” to determine how credit for conversions is assigned to ad interactions.
- Click on “Create and continue.”
- Install the conversion tracking tag: To track website conversions, you need to install a global site tag and a conversion-specific event snippet on your website.
a. Global site tag: Copy the global site tag code provided by Google Ads and paste it between the <head> tags on every page of your website. If you’re already using Google Analytics or have another global site tag installed, you don’t need to add it again.
b. Event snippet: Copy the event snippet code and paste it on the specific page where the conversion action occurs, such as the “Thank you” page after a purchase or form submission. Place the event snippet between the <head> tags or immediately after the opening <body> tag.
- Save and test your conversion tracking: Click on “Next” and then “Done” to save your conversion settings. To test if the conversion tracking is working correctly, complete the conversion action on your website (e.g., make a test purchase or fill out a contact form), and then check the “Conversions” page in Google Ads to see if the conversion is recorded.
By setting up Google Ads conversion tracking, you can gain valuable insights into how your ads are driving customer actions, allowing you to optimize your campaigns and maximize your return on investment.