This article will teach you how to use the Tracking Validation Tool to test & verify whether or not your webpages are successfully tracking clicks, opt-in submissions, and check-out submissions.
Introduction to the Tracking Code Validation Tool
The Tracking Validation Tool is a Wicked Reports Diagnostic Tool designed to perform URL tracking tests and provide you with URL tracking insights. Although this tool is comprised of many features, this specific article is focused on the Tracking Validation Tool's core feature Tracking Code Verification.
Tracking Code Verification allows you to manually validate your individual URLs. All you need to do is click the "Manually Validate URL" button, select the test type, input the URL you wish to test, and then start the test.
- If the test passes, then you can feel confident your tracking code is set up correctly on the webpage and that your URL is tracking successfully.
- If the test fails, then this indicates something is wrong with your tracking setup and your URL is not tracking. You'll need to identify why in order to fix it (or ask us for help).
In this article, we'll break down the three different types of tests, how to perform the test, and common causes and solutions for failed tests. Let's dive in.
Click Tracking Test
What is the Click Tracking Test?
The Click Tracking Test is a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to ensure your webpage is tracking Clicks and URL Parameters. This test plays an incredibly important role in the Tracking Validation Process, and it is crucial that your URL passes this test.
- If the test passes, then you can feel confident your URL is tracking URL Parameters successfully, and that your tracking code is setup to track clicks correctly.
- If your test fails, then the accuracy of your overall data will decline. The primary reason for the decline is due to the fact that Wicked Reports will not be able to, for this URL, attribute any of your prospects, leads, or customers clicks to the correct source. Thus, it's imperative that you take the test and find out.
How do I Perform a Click Tracking Test?
The Click Tracking Test is a simple 7-step process.
- Go to the Tracking Validation Tool in your Wicked Account
- Click Manually Validate URL
- Select Click Tracking
- Paste the URL you wish to test into the Click Tracking test.
- Press the Start Test button
- Let the webpage fully load (aka no pinwheels on your browser tab)
- Now, go back to your Wicked Account and hit the End Test button
- If your tracking code is correctly set up on the webpage and your URL is tracking the test URL Parameters, then your test will have passed. Congratulations!
- If something is wrong with your tracking setup, then your test will have failed. It's imperative you find out why the test failed, get it resolved, and then re-take the test.
My Click Tracking Test Failed. Now What?
If your Click Tracking Test failed, then something is wrong with your tracking setup. The most common causes (and their solutions!) are outlined here:
- Cause: The webpage didn't have time to fully load before the test ended.
Solution: Allow the page enough time to load.
Note: A good rule of thumb is to make sure there are no pinwheels on your browser tab. Alternatively, you can wait 15 seconds. - Cause: The webpage has a missing, misplaced, or incorrect Tracking Code.
Solution: Ensure your tracking code is added correctly on your webpage.
Note: Click to learn how to install your tracking code and how to validate your tracking code. - Cause: The URL Parameters are stripping off your URL (also known as UTM stripping)
Solution: Identify why your URL Parameters are stripping from your URL and fix it.
Note: The most common reasons for UTM stripping include URL redirects, certain types of link shorteners, and/or a trailing forward slash "/" at the end of the URL. - Cause: You cannot add your Tracking Code because your ad's CTA sends traffic to a Phone Call instead of a landing page URL.
Solution: Install CallRail.
If you can't get figure it out, or if you need more advanced troubleshooting, then please reach out to us at support@wickedreports.com. We'll help you identify the issue and get it resolved.
Opt-In Tracking Test
What is the Opt-In Tracking Test?
The Opt-In Tracking Test is a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to ensure your URL is tracking URL Parameters and opt-in form submissions. You should test every Opt-In Form on your webpage, including Pop-Up Forms. This test plays an incredibly important role in the Tracking Validation Process, and it is crucial that your URL passes this test.
- If the test passes, then you can feel confident your URL is tracking URL Parameters successfully and that your tracking code is set up to track opt-in form submissions.
- If your test fails, then the accuracy of your overall data will decline. The primary reason for the decline is due to the fact that Wicked Reports will not be able to, for this URL, attribute any of your new leads, or re-engaged leads, to the correct source. Thus, it's imperative that you take the test and find out.
How do I Perform an Opt-In Tracking Test?
The Opt-In Tracking Test is a simple 8-step process.
- Go to the Tracking Validation Tool in your Wicked Account
- Click Manually Validate URL
- Select Optin Tracking
- Paste the URL you wish to test into the Optin Tracking test.
- Press the Start Test button
- Let the webpage fully load (meaning, no pinwheels on your browser tab)
- Once loaded, input the following email address into your forms email field: testing@wickedreports.com
Note: You do not need to submit the form. Just type your email into your Opt-In Forms email field. - Now, go back to your Wicked Account and hit the End Test button
- If your URL is tracking the test URL Parameters, and the tracking code is setup to track opt-in form submissions, then your test will have passed. Congratulations!
- If something is wrong with your tracking setup, then your test will have failed. It's imperative you find out why the test failed, get it resolved, and then re-take the test.
My Opt-In Tracking Test Failed. Now What?
If your Opt-In Tracking Test failed, then something is wrong with your tracking setup. The most common causes (and their solutions!) are outlined here:
- Cause: The URL Parameters are stripping off your URL (also known as UTM stripping)
Solution: Identify why your URL Parameters are stripping from your URL and fix it.
Note: The most common reasons for UTM stripping include URL redirects, certain types of link shorteners, and/or a trailing forward slash "/" at the end of the URL. - Cause: The webpage has a missing, misplaced, or incorrect Tracking Code.
Solution: Ensure your tracking code is added correctly on your webpage.
Note: Click to learn how to install your tracking code and how to validate your tracking code. - Cause: You're Opt-In Form is within an iframe or you're using a third-party form provider.
Solution: You'll need to add the tracking code directly to the Opt-In Form itself.
Notes: Click to learn How to track iframes.
If you're using a third-party provider for your Opt-In Forms, be sure to look up the provider's name in our help center. We could already have a guide that helps.
If you can't get figure it out, or if you need more advanced troubleshooting, then please reach out to us at support@wickedreports.com. We'll help you identify the issue and get it resolved.
Sales Tracking Test
What is the Sales Tracking Test?
The Sales Tracking Test is a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to ensure your URL is tracking URL Parameters and Check-Out Form submissions. You should test every checkout form on your webpage, including express checkout forms and quick-pay options. This test plays an incredibly important role in the Tracking Validation Process, and it is crucial that your URL passes this test.
- If the test passes, then you can feel confident your URL is tracking URL Parameters successfully and that your tracking code is set up to track Check-Out form submissions.
- If your test fails, then the accuracy of your overall data will decline. The primary reason for the decline is due to the fact that Wicked Reports will not be able to, for this URL, attribute any of your customer's orders to the correct source. Thus, it's imperative that you take the test and find out.
How do I Perform a Sales Tracking Test?
The Sales Tracking Test is a simple 8-step process.
- Go to the Tracking Validation Tool in your Wicked Account
- Click Manually Validate URL
- Select Sales Tracking
- Paste the URL you wish to test into the Sales Tracking test.
- Press the Start Test button
- Let the webpage fully load (meaning, no pinwheels on your browser tab)
- Once loaded, input the following email address into your Check-Out Forms email field: testing@wickedreports.com
Note: You do not need to submit the form. Just type the test email into your forms email field. - Now, go back to your Wicked Account and hit the End Test button
- If your tracking code is set up to track check-out form submissions, then your test will have passed. Congratulations!
- If something is wrong with your tracking setup, then your test will have failed. It's imperative you find out why the test failed, get it resolved, and then re-take the test
My Sales Tracking Test Failed. Now What?
If your Sales Tracking Test failed, then something is wrong with your tracking setup. The most common causes (and their solutions!) are outlined here:
- Cause: The URL Parameters are stripping off your URL (also known as UTM stripping)
Solution: Identify why your URL Parameters are stripping from your URL and fix it.
Note: The most common reasons for UTM stripping include URL redirects, certain types of link shorteners, and/or a trailing forward slash "/" at the end of the URL. - Cause: Your webpage has a missing, misplaced, or incorrect Tracking Code.
Solution: You'll need to ensure your tracking code is added correctly on your webpage.
Note: Click to learn how to install your tracking code and how to validate your tracking code. - Cause: You're Check-Out Form is within an iframe
Solution: You'll need to add the tracking code directly to the Check-Out Form itself.
Notes: Click to learn How to track iframes. - Cause: Your webpage is using Express Check-Out Options (e.g. Paypal Express Checkout)
Solution: Install the tracking code into the express check-out form or pass the Email Address and URL Parameters into a trackable Thank You Page - Cause: You're Check-Out Form is being hosted on a third-party providers webpage.
Solution: Install the tracking code into the third-party providers check-out form or pass the Email Address and URL Parameters into a trackable Thank You Page.
If you're using a third-party provider for your check-out process, be sure to look up the providers name in our help center. We could already have a guide that helps.
If you can't get figure it out, or if you need more advanced troubleshooting, then please reach out to us at support@wickedreports.com. We'll help you identify the issue and get it resolved.
- Q: What email should I use for my opt-in or sales test?
A: testing@wickedreports.com - Q: What's the most common reason for my URL Parameters getting stripped?
A: Redirect Links