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How to Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress Easily

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever wondered how to track your website’s performance more effectively without fuss? Adding Google Tag Manager to WordPress unlocks the power to manage tracking codes and analytics—no coding expertise required.

This simple integration saves time, boosts marketing insights, and streamlines your site’s data collection. If you want your website to work smarter for you, this is key.

In this article, you’ll discover an easy, step-by-step guide to integrating Google Tag Manager with WordPress, plus practical tips to get the most from your setup.

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How to Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a powerful, free tool that allows you to add and manage marketing tags, tracking codes, and analytics on your WordPress site—all without modifying the code every time you want to add a new tag. If you’ve been wondering how to set up Google Tag Manager with WordPress, you’re in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything, from understanding GTM’s benefits to two reliable ways to integrate it: with a plugin and manually.

What Is Google Tag Manager and Why Use It in WordPress?

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why.

What is Google Tag Manager?

Google Tag Manager is a tag management system that allows you to quickly and easily update measurement codes and related code fragments, known as “tags,” on your website. Instead of hard-coding tags directly into your WordPress theme files, GTM gives you a central platform to manage all of them.

The Benefits of Using Google Tag Manager

  • Saves Time: Update tags from one dashboard without having to edit code every time.
  • Reduce Developer Dependency: No more waiting for developers for small tracking updates.
  • Error Reduction: Avoid mistakes caused by manual code changes.
  • Centralized Management: View, edit, and debug all your tags in one place.
  • Flexibility: Integrate with various marketing and analytics tools (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, etc.).


How to Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress - Step by Step - WP Hive - add google tag manager to wordpress

Two Main Methods to Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress

There are two popular ways to add GTM to WordPress:

  1. Using a plugin: Easy, fast, and perfect for beginners.
  2. Manual installation: Gives you more control, ideal for advanced users or those with custom needs.

Let’s explore each method step by step.

Method 1: Adding Google Tag Manager to WordPress Using a Plugin

This method is beginner-friendly and requires no coding skills. Many plugins, such as WPCode and others, allow you to insert code into your header and body easily.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create a Google Tag Manager Account and Container
  2. Go to Google Tag Manager and sign in with your Google account.
  3. Click Create Account and fill out your account and container details (your website’s domain).
  4. Choose Web as the target platform and click Create.
  5. Accept the terms and you’ll get two code snippets: one for the , one for.
    Keep these handy.


How To Add Google Tag Manager To WordPress - WPCode - add google tag manager to wordpress

  1. Install a Google Tag Manager Plugin
  2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
  3. Search for “Google Tag Manager” or a popular insert header & footer plugin like WPCode.

  4. Click Install Now next to your chosen plugin, then Activate.

  5. Add Your GTM Code via the Plugin

  6. Open the plugin settings (often found under Settings > Insert Header and Footer or its own menu).
  7. Paste the header code (usually starts with “) into the designated header section.
  8. Paste the body code (usually starts with “) into the designated body section, if the plugin supports it.

  9. Save your changes.

  10. Verify GTM Installation

  11. Visit your website.
  12. Right-click and select View Page Source.
  13. Check for the GTM scripts in the header and body.
  14. Alternatively, use the “Tag Assistant” browser extension from Google for verification.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
  • Fast and easy—no need to touch code.
  • Most plugins are free.
  • Easy to manage for ongoing needs.
  • Cons:
  • Some plugins might add unnecessary features or scripts.
  • Could be less flexible for complex custom implementations.

Method 2: Adding Google Tag Manager to WordPress Manually (No Plugin)

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can add GTM directly to your WordPress theme. This method gives you full control, but requires caution.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Get Your GTM Code

  2. Set up your GTM account and grab the two code snippets as explained above.

  3. Access Your Theme Files

  4. In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor (“Editor” might have a different name depending on your WordPress version).

  5. Locate your active theme and open the header.php file.

  6. Add the Head Code

  7. Find the opening “ tag.
  8. Immediately after “, paste the GTM header code snippet.
  9. This ensures the script loads as early as possible.


How to Add Google Tag Manager to WordPress: Two Methods Explained - add google tag manager to wordpress

  1. Add the Body Code
  2. Locate the opening ` tag inheader.php(or sometimesindex.phporfooter.php`, depending on your theme structure).

  3. Directly after “, paste the GTM body code snippet.

  4. Save the File

  5. Click Update File (or the save button).

  6. Test Your Implementation

  7. Use the methods described earlier to verify the tags are present on your pages.
  8. Test across multiple pages to ensure you didn’t miss any important templates.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
  • No extra plugins or code bloat.
  • Full control over placement and loading.
  • Cons:
  • Risk of theme updates overwriting changes. (Consider using a child theme!)
  • Risk of breaking your site if you make a mistake.
  • Not recommended for beginners.

Additional Aspects to Consider

Using a Child Theme

If you edit your theme’s files (like header.php), always use a child theme. This prevents your changes from being lost during theme updates.

Best Practices

  • Backup before changes. Always create a full site and database backup before making code changes.
  • Minimize plugins. Use only trusted and necessary plugins to avoid security issues.
  • Test in staging. If possible, test your GTM implementation in a staging environment before pushing to your live site.
  • Regularly check tags. As your site grows, periodically verify and update your tags within GTM for optimal tracking.

Common Challenges and Solutions

  • GTM Not Firing Properly: Double-check snippet placement and make sure there’s no conflicting code.
  • Theme Changes Overwrite GTM: Use a child theme or a plugin that preserves custom code on update.
  • Multiple Plugins Adding GTM: Using more than one GTM or analytics plugin can cause duplicate tags. Stick to one implementation method.

Practical Tips and Advice

  • Clean Up Old Tracking Codes: Remove old tracking scripts from your theme or plugin settings to prevent duplicate data.
  • Naming Conventions in GTM: Use clear, descriptive names for tags, triggers, and variables for easy management.
  • User Roles: Limit GTM container access to trusted team members to keep tracking consistent.
  • Stay Updated: Regularly check your plugin of choice for updates and compatibility with the latest WordPress versions.
  • Use GTM Debugging Tools: Leverage GTM’s Preview and Debug mode to test tag firing without affecting your live data.

Is Google Tag Manager Free? Any Costs Involved?

Google Tag Manager itself is completely free to use. However, consider these indirect costs:

  • Premium Plugins: Some advanced plugins might be paid, but most support GTM for free.
  • Developer Help: If you’re not comfortable editing theme files, a developer’s assistance may incur a fee.
  • Site Performance: Improper setup can affect site speed, impacting user experience and potentially revenue.

There are no direct shipping or handling fees associated with adding GTM to your WordPress site, as this is a digital integration.

Summary

Adding Google Tag Manager to your WordPress website is straightforward whether you use a plugin or go the manual route. Plugins offer speed and safety for beginners, while manual installation gives ultimate control for advanced users. No matter your method, GTM equips you with a flexible, centralized way to manage nearly any tracking need your website will ever have—saving time and future-proofing your analytics and marketing strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Google Tag Manager and do I need it for my WordPress site?
Google Tag Manager is a free tool that helps you manage all your site’s tracking codes (like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and others) from one place. While you don’t have to use it, GTM makes managing tags much easier and faster, especially as your needs grow.

2. Can I use Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics together?
Yes! Google Tag Manager is not a replacement for Google Analytics. Instead, you use GTM to deploy Google Analytics tracking alongside any other tracking scripts you need.

3. Will Google Tag Manager slow down my WordPress site?
Properly implemented, GTM should have minimal impact on site speed. However, loading many tags or third-party scripts through GTM can slow down your site, so only add necessary tags and monitor your site’s performance.

4. What happens to my GTM setup if I change my WordPress theme?
If you used a plugin, your GTM code remains unaffected. If you manually edited theme files and switch themes, you’ll need to re-add your GTM snippets to the new theme’s header and body sections.


Adding Google Tag Manager to a WordPress Site - add google tag manager to wordpress

5. Is it safe to edit theme files for GTM installation?
Yes, but proceed with caution. Always back up your website beforehand, use a child theme for customizations, and only edit files if you’re comfortable with code. Using a plugin is a safer option for most users.

By following these clear steps, you can confidently set up Google Tag Manager in WordPress and tap into all the analytics and marketing opportunities it brings, all while keeping your site running smoothly!

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