How to implement Google Tag Manager on a Squarespace site

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Implementing Google Tag Manager (GTM) on a Squarespace site can be a bit tricky, but it’s definitely doable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up GTM on your Squarespace site.

What is Google Tag Manager?

Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a tag management system that allows you to manage and deploy marketing and analytics tags (snippets of code) on your website without requiring IT support. It’s a powerful tool that helps you track user behavior, measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns, and integrate with other Google products like Google Analytics.

Why implement Google Tag Manager on Squarespace?

There are several reasons why you might want to implement GTM on your Squarespace site:

  1. Easier tracking: GTM makes it easy to add and manage tracking codes, such as Google Analytics, without having to edit your website’s code.
  2. More control: With GTM, you have more control over how tags are fired and when they’re triggered, giving you more flexibility and customization options.
  3. Simplified maintenance: GTM updates and maintains tags for you, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your tracking codes up-to-date.
  4. Integration with other Google tools: GTM integrates seamlessly with other Google products, such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Optimize.

 1. Create a Google Tag Manager account

Before you start setting up GTM on your Squarespace site, you’ll need to create a GTM account. Follow these steps:

  •  Go to the Google Tag Manager website and sign in with your Google account.
  • Click on the “Sign up” button and fill out the registration form.
  •  Verify your account by clicking on the verification email sent to your email address.
  • Once verified, click on the “New Container” button to create a new GTM container.

 2. Install the Google Tag Manager snippet

To install the GTM snippet on your Squarespace site, you’ll need to add a new script tag to your site’s HTML header. Here’s how:

  • Log in to your Squarespace account and go to the “Settings” section.
  • Click on “Advanced” and then “Code Injection”.
  •  Click on the “HTML Header” section and add a new script tag.
  • Paste the following code into the script tag:
    “`
    <!– Google Tag Manager –>
    <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({‘gtm.start’:
    new Date().getTime()});var f=w[d];w[d]=w[d]||[];w[d].push({‘gtm.load’:f});var s=w[s];w[s]=w[s]||[];w[s].push({‘gtm.js’,f});(function(w,d,t,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({‘gtm.load’:new Date().getTime()});var f=w[d];w[d]=w[d]||[];w[d].push({‘gtm.js’,f});})(window,document,’script’,’dataLayer’,’gtm-<YOUR_CONTAINER_ID>’);</script>
    “`
    Replace `<YOUR_CONTAINER_ID>` with the ID of your GTM container.
  • 5. Click “Save” to save the changes.

 3. Create a trigger

A trigger is an event that triggers a tag to fire when certain conditions are met. You can create triggers based on page views, clicks, or other events.

  • Log in to your GTM account and navigate to the “Triggers” tab.
  •  Click on the “New Trigger” button.
  • Choose the trigger type (e.g., “Page View”, “Click”, etc.) and set up the trigger conditions.
  • Click “Save” to save the trigger.

 4. Create a tag

A tag is an action that is triggered by a trigger. You can create tags for various purposes, such as tracking events or sending data to another service.

  • Log in to your GTM account and navigate to the “Tags” tab.
  •  Click on the “New Tag” button.
  • Choose the tag type (e.g., “Google Analytics”, “Facebook Pixel”, etc.) and set up the tag settings.
  • Click “Save” to save the tag.

 5. Deploy the container

Once you’ve created triggers and tags, it’s time to deploy the container.

  •  Go back to the “Overview” tab in your GTM account.
  • Click on the “Deploy” button next to your container ID.
  • Choose how you want to deploy the container (e.g., via HTML snippet or JavaScript file).
  •  Copy the deployment code and paste it into your Squarespace site’s HTML header (if using HTML snippet).

 6. Verify installation

To verify that GTM is installed correctly, follow these steps:

  •  Check that the GTM snippet is present in your Squarespace site’s HTML header.
  • Go to your GTM account and navigate to the “DebugView” tab.
  • Check that data is being sent from your site by looking for events in the DebugView panel.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get started with GTM on Squarespace:

  • Make sure to test your tags and triggers thoroughly before deploying them live.
  •  Use containers wisely – multiple containers can lead to conflicts with other tracking codes on your site.
  • Keep an eye on your site’s performance after deploying GTM – high latency or slow load times may indicate issues with tag firing or data transmission.
  • Use data layer variables to pass custom data from your site to GTM – this can help with more accurate tracking and targeting.

Implementing Google Tag Manager on a Squarespace site may require some extra effort, but it’s definitely worth it for improved tracking and control over marketing and analytics tags. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to setting up a robust tag management system for your Squarespace site.

Categories: Digital Marketing