What Should I Do After Adding the Google Tag Manager Code to My Website?

Short Answer: After adding the Google Tag Manager code to your website, you should return to Google Tag Manager to proceed with setup. If your WordPress website uses caching, make sure to purge the cache by clicking on ‘Purge sg Cache’. Once this is done, go back to Google Tag Manager, enter your website URL, and click the ‘test’ button to ensure everything is properly implemented.

Full Explanation

Once the Google Tag Manager (GTM) code is embedded into your website, the next critical steps involve verifying its proper functionality. It’s essential to return to the Google Tag Manager interface after placing the code to continue the setup process. If your site is built on WordPress and uses cache mechanisms, clearing or purging this cache ensures that the newly added GTM code loads correctly for all visitors. The cache can interfere with how your website serves the updated version of the pages, so purging it via the ‘Purge sg Cache’ option helps avoid any delays or errors.

After clearing the cache, you’ll want to test that the GTM container is firing and tracking as expected. This involves entering your website URL into Google Tag Manager and clicking the ‘test’ button, which triggers preview mode. Preview mode allows you to check which tags are being triggered and troubleshoot any issues in real-time before going live.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Return to Google Tag Manager: After inserting the GTM code into your website, open the Google Tag Manager platform again.
Purge WordPress Cache (if applicable): If your WordPress site uses caching plugins or server-level cache, purge this cache by clicking the button labeled ‘Purge sg Cache’. This step clears old stored versions of your pages, ensuring visitors see your updated content with GTM code included.
Test the Implementation: In Google Tag Manager, input your website’s URL into the provided field and click the ‘test’ button. This action loads your site in preview mode, showing if tags are firing correctly and giving you feedback to confirm proper setup.

Real Examples

For example, if you’re using WP Engine or similar managed WordPress hosting with integrated caching, the ‘Purge sg Cache’ button specifically removes stale cached content. After adding the GTM code, using this button makes sure your visitors access pages with the fresh GTM setup. Then, testing within GTM preview mode helps confirm all your tracking tags are ready and functioning before the container publishes.

Common Mistakes

Skipping Cache Purge: If caching is active and you don’t clear it, changes with GTM code might not show immediately, causing tags to fail or behave unpredictably.
Not Testing the Setup: Failing to use the ‘test’ button in Google Tag Manager means you won’t know if your tags fire properly until after going live, increasing risk of data tracking issues.
Leaving Cache Active Before Testing: Testing without purging cache could lead to incomplete or inaccurate test results since the site might still load an older version.

FAQs

Why do I need to purge the cache after adding GTM code?: If your website uses caching, old versions of your pages may be served to visitors. Purging the cache ensures pages contain the new GTM code and prevent tracking errors.
What happens when I click the ‘test’ button in Google Tag Manager?: Clicking ‘test’ puts your browser in preview mode, showing which tags fire on your website and allowing you to debug before making the container live.
Is purging the cache necessary for all WordPress sites?: Only if your WordPress site uses a caching plugin or server cache. If no caching is used, you can proceed directly to testing the GTM implementation.

Key Takeaways

Always return to Google Tag Manager after adding its code to your website.
If you have caching enabled on your WordPress site, purge the cache using ‘Purge sg Cache’ to ensure GTM code is properly loaded.
Use the ‘test’ function in Google Tag Manager to verify your tags are firing correctly before publishing your container.