How to Track AJAX form Submissions with Google Tag Manager

Understanding AJAX Form Submissions

AJAX is a web development technique that allows web pages to send and receive data from a server asynchronously, without interfering with the current page’s content. This means that when a user submits a form using AJAX, the form data is sent to the server in the background, and the page does not need to reload. This seamless user experience is great for usability but can present challenges when it comes to tracking form submissions for analytics purposes.

Setting Up Tracking with Google Tag Manager

To track AJAX form submissions with Google Tag Manager, you need to create triggers and tags that capture the form submission event and send relevant data to your analytics platform. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up tracking for AJAX form submissions:

1. Identify the Form Submission Event:

• The first step is to identify the event that occurs when a user successfully submits the form. This event could be a custom JavaScript event triggered by the AJAX form submission process.

2. Create a Trigger:

• In your Google Tag Manager account, create a new trigger that fires when the form submission event occurs. You can set up triggers based on various conditions, such as DOM events, clicks, or custom events.

3. Configure the Trigger:

• Configure the trigger to fire when the specific event associated with the form submission occurs. This may require inspecting the form’s code and understanding how the AJAX submission process works.

4. Set Up a Tag:

• Once the trigger is in place, create a new tag that will capture the form submission event. This tag can be configured to send data to your analytics platform, such as Google Analytics, using custom tracking parameters.

5. Test the Setup:

• After configuring the trigger and tag, test the tracking setup by submitting the form and checking if the tag fires as expected. You can use Google Tag Manager’s preview mode to debug and troubleshoot any issues.

Best Practices for Tracking AJAX Form Submissions

When tracking AJAX form submissions with Google Tag Manager, consider the following best practices to ensure accurate and reliable data collection:

1. Use Custom JavaScript Variables:

• If the form submission event requires custom JavaScript code to trigger, you can create custom JavaScript variables in Google Tag Manager to capture the necessary data for tracking.

2. Implement Data Layer Push:

Utilize the data layer to push relevant form submission data when the event occurs. This data can then be accessed by Google Tag Manager tags to track the submission accurately.

3. Monitor Form Validation:

• If your form includes validation checks before submission, ensure that your tracking setup accounts for both successful and unsuccessful form submissions to capture user behavior comprehensively.

4. Consider User Privacy:

• When tracking form submissions, be mindful of user privacy concerns and ensure that you comply with relevant data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA.

Benefits of Tracking AJAX Form Submissions

Tracking AJAX form submissions with Google Tag Manager offers several benefits for website owners and marketers:

1. Insight into User Behavior:

• By tracking form submissions, you can gain valuable insights into user behavior, such as which forms are most popular, where users drop off in the form submission process, and which fields cause issues for users.

2. Conversion Optimization:

• Analyzing form submission data can help you identify opportunities to optimize your forms for better conversion rates. By understanding user interactions with forms, you can make data-driven decisions to improve usability and increase conversions.

3. Attribution Analysis:

• Tracking form submissions allows you to attribute conversions back to specific marketing campaigns or traffic sources accurately. This data can help you optimize your marketing efforts and allocate resources effectively.

4. User Experience Enhancement:

• Monitoring form submissions can help you identify friction points in the user experience and make adjustments to streamline the form submission process. Improving user experience can lead to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Consulting Google Tag Manager Help Resources

• If you encounter challenges or require further assistance with tracking AJAX form submissions using Google Tag Manager, consider consulting the help resources available within the Google Tag Manager platform. The help section provides detailed documentation, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides to support you in setting up and optimizing your tracking configurations.

 

In conclusion, tracking AJAX form submissions with Google Tag Manager is a powerful tool for understanding user behavior, optimizing conversions, and enhancing the overall user experience on your website. By following best practices and leveraging the capabilities of Google Tag Manager, you can effectively track form submissions and leverage data-driven insights to improve your online presence.