Tracking with UTM Codes

Campaigns & Tagging methodologies

Tracking Pages/Blogs as Campaigns (Recommended for Blog articles and other important site pages that generate organic traffic

Also see Campaign Introduction / Grouping by Tag etc.

What is the format of a UTM code?

The format of a UTM code is simply:

something=something_else

It does not matter what comes before and after the equals sign, however our recommendation is to put utm_campaign first, and the unique identifier after the equals sign. This works best with Google Analytics as it allows you to automatically report on the campaigns there as well.

utm_campaign=mediumname_topic

for example:

utm_campaign=facebook_topic123

This format allows you to create a unique code for every source of leads, without worrying about using the same UTM code twice.

What is a UTM code

A UTM code is simply a string of characters added to the end of a normal page link, which allows FunnelBud to track where various leads came from, even if they all land on the same page. EG:

yoursite.com/?utm_campaign=linkedin_post123
yoursite.com/?utm_campaign=twitter_post345

USING THE UTM CODE IN FunnelBud

When adding the UTM code as a rule to FunnelBud, put the UTM code into the campaign as-is. Do not include any part of the actual page link, question marks or other characters:

POSTING A LINK WITH a UTM code

For FunnelBud Landing Pages:

1. Take the link, change http to https:

https://content.yoursite.com.pages.services/landing_page/?ts=1513176228637

2. Remove the .pages.services:

https://content.yoursite.com/landing_page/?

3. Remove the ts=xxxxxxx :

https://content.yoursite.com/landing_page/?ts=1513176228637

4. Add the UTM code:

https://content.yoursite.com/landing_page/?utm_campaign=facebook_post_171225

5. Distribute your link on Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter / Etc.

For normal Website Pages:

1. Take your link:

https://yoursite.com/blog/post123

2. Add a question mark:

https://yoursite.com/blog/post123?

3. Add the UTM code:

https://yoursite.com/blog/post123?utm_campaign=facebook_post_171225

4. Distribute the link on Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter / Etc.

USING URL SHORTENERS - BIT.ly goo.gl etc.

Can you use URL shorteners on your campaign links? Yes, but create the full link including the UTM code first, then shorten the full link including the UTM code

Video: how to add and USE UTM codes for campaign tracking

Click here to view full screen

Using UTM codes in tracking campaigns.MP4