AlphaDC
How to Set Up Google Tag Manager on a WordPress Website
Irwan
Last update: February 7, 2025
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Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a powerful tool that allows website owners to manage and deploy marketing and analytics tags without modifying code manually. If you want to track user behavior, integrate analytics tools, or manage pixels efficiently, setting up GTM on your WordPress site is essential.

In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process to install Google Tag Manager on WordPress.

1. What is Google Tag Manager?

Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a free tool by Google that simplifies the process of adding and managing various tracking codes (tags) on your website. These tags can be used for:

  • Google Analytics tracking
  • Facebook Pixel integration
  • Conversion tracking
  • Remarketing campaigns

Instead of manually adding tracking codes to your site, GTM allows you to manage them from a single dashboard, reducing the need for developer assistance.

Learn more about Google Tag Manager.

2. Why Use Google Tag Manager on WordPress?

2.1. Easier Tag Management

With GTM, you don’t need to modify your site’s code whenever you add or update tracking scripts.

2.2. Improved Website Performance

Google Tag Manager loads asynchronously, preventing scripts from slowing down your website.

2.3. Enhanced Tracking Capabilities

You can set up custom triggers and events to track user interactions more effectively.

3. Steps to Set Up Google Tag Manager on WordPress

3.1. Create a Google Tag Manager Account

  1. Go to Google Tag Manager.
  2. Click on "Create Account" and enter your account details.
  3. Set up a new container (your website) and choose "Web" as the target platform.
  4. Click "Create" and accept the terms of service.

3.2. Get Your Google Tag Manager Code

  1. After creating your container, Google will provide you with two code snippets.
  2. Copy both snippets—one should be placed inside the <head> tag, and the other inside the <body> tag of your site.

3.3. Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress

Option 1: Manually Add the Code to Your Theme

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Appearance → Theme Editor.
  3. Open the header.php file and paste the first GTM code inside the <head> section.
  4. Open the footer.php file and paste the second GTM code before the closing </body> tag.
  5. Save the changes.

Option 2: Use a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)

  1. Install and activate the Insert Headers and Footers plugin.
  2. Go to Settings → Insert Headers and Footers.
  3. Paste the first GTM code in the Header section.
  4. Paste the second GTM code in the Body section.
  5. Save the changes.

4. Verify Google Tag Manager Installation

After adding the GTM code, follow these steps to confirm the setup:

  1. Go to Google Tag Manager and click Preview Mode.
  2. Enter your WordPress website URL and click Connect.
  3. If the Tag Assistant shows GTM is active, the installation is successful.

You can also use the Google Tag Assistant Chrome Extension to check if GTM is working correctly.

5. Adding Tags to Google Tag Manager

Once GTM is set up, you can start adding tags. Some popular tags include:

  • Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for tracking website traffic
  • Facebook Pixel for social media marketing
  • Google Ads Conversion Tracking for monitoring ad performance

Simply create a new tag, configure triggers, and publish changes directly from GTM.

6. Conclusion

Setting up Google Tag Manager on a WordPress website makes tracking and managing scripts much easier. By following the steps above, you can integrate GTM without modifying your website’s core files frequently.

If you find this guide too complex or need help setting up Google Tag Manager on your WordPress site, I’m here to assist you! Contact me, and I’ll handle the setup for you seamlessly.