I created a website pool number and a call extension number. When I created the click to call, I put the call extension number, but the actual number on the landing page, I thought that I’m supposed to put one of these numbers of the website pool that will direct to the main phone number in the office. Is this correct?

Short Answer: No, you should use your regular phone number on the landing page. CallRail will automatically swap this number with one of the pool numbers when someone arrives via Google Ads, so the click-to-call feature works properly.

Full Explanation

When setting up call tracking with CallRail, the key is to place your regular office phone number on your website landing page. This is because CallRail intelligently detects visitors coming from Google Ads and dynamically switches the displayed number to one of your pool numbers. These pool numbers direct calls to your main office line but allow accurate call tracking and reporting for your ads.

If you instead use the call extension number directly in your click-to-call button or on the landing page, you bypass the dynamic number swapping feature. This can lead to inaccurate call tracking and confuse the mechanism designed to attribute calls correctly to your advertising campaigns.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Display your regular phone number on your website landing page. This is what visitors see by default.
2. Set up pool numbers in CallRail. These are additional numbers that forward calls to your main office number.
3. Configure CallRail to track visitors from Google Ads. When someone visits your site from an ad, CallRail swaps the regular number for one of the pool numbers.
4. Use your regular number for click-to-call setup. This ensures the dynamic replacement works properly and your calls are correctly tracked.

Real Examples

Imagine that your office number is 123-456-7890. Your call pool might include four alternative numbers that still forward to 123-456-7890.

If a visitor finds your site through a Google ad, CallRail replaces 123-456-7890 on the page and in click-to-call links with one of your pool numbers, for example, 987-654-3210. When the visitor calls this number, it forwards to your office, and the call is tracked as originating from your Google ad campaign.

Common Mistakes

• Using call extension numbers directly in click-to-call links. This bypasses CallRail’s number swapping feature, preventing accurate attribution.
• Placing pool numbers instead of your regular office number on the landing page. This can confuse visitors and disrupt tracking logic.
• Failing to set up CallRail’s integration with Google Ads. Without this, the dynamic number swapping won’t function.

FAQs

Q: Can I use the pool number on my landing page instead of my regular number?
A: No, your landing page should display your regular office number. CallRail handles swapping it dynamically for tracking purposes.

Q: What happens if I use the call extension number in click to call?
A: This may break the tracking setup because CallRail replaces the regular number with pool numbers for visitors from Google ads, and using extensions bypasses this process.

Key Takeaways

• Always place your regular phone number on your website landing page.
• CallRail’s pool numbers enable dynamic swapping for visitors from Google Ads.
• Using call extension or pool numbers directly can lead to tracking errors.
• Proper setup ensures accurate attribution of calls from advertising campaigns.