Events Tracking vs Google Tag Manager
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Excited to see Google Tag Manager support in this plugin, thanks!
I’m hoping someone can explain why I might need to use GTM vs using the built in Google Analytics event tracking?
In my case, we are trying to track PDF downloads. I had previously enabled event tracking through GADWP and noticed pdf downloads being tracked. Do I still need to setup and enable GTM if that’s the case? I have not been able to find a clarifying answer to this in my googling.
Cheers!
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Hi,
Not at all, GTM is basically an alternative way to inject code snippets in your pages, in this case tracking snippets. Unless you are a GTM user, you shouldn’t be using it, because the Analytics mode provides all tracking features, out of the box. These ofcourse, from GADWP perspective. GTM has its advantages too, but not in this specific case.
I will add that as “an alternative” to GA code snippets, it means that once the site is set up, a lot of the tracking can be configured and updated from within GTM by a third party, without changing settings on your site. So long as all the information that *may be* needed is available on the page as a JavaScript object, then through GTM you can pick and choose at any time how you want to use that data for tracking, both in terms of where the data goes, and when it is tracked. It’s quite flexible and very sophisticated.
Sounds marvellous, yes? The upside is also its downside. The fact that everything needs to be set up through a complex set of GTM admin pages means an GTM expert has to be involved to set it up. The old method puts all (or most of) the control into plugin you install on the website, so little expertise is needed. That setup is moved to pointy-clicky configuration screens, and that completely changes the market to who the end users are. It’s great if you are selling your GTM skills though.
Just my 2p ??
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