Some of these questions sound familiar to you:
✅ Are you tired of trying to understand where your website traffic comes from and how it impacts your business?
✅ Do you know that something is wrong with your GA4 results because most of your traffic appears as Undefined, Direct, or Organic?
✅ Have you tried to measure your traffic with tools in the past, but found inaccurate or confusing results?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, then we have the perfect solution for you.
UTM parameters are a powerful tracking and analysis tool that allows us to understand in detail the behavior of visitors to our website, how they find it, and the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. In this article, we will explain what they are, how to use them, and why they are necessary for the success of your digital marketing strategy.
What are UTM parameters?
UTM parameters (Urchin Traffic Monitor) are tags that are added to the end of URLs to facilitate tracking each time someone clicks on them. These small pieces of data can be added to any link and allow digital marketing specialists to know where their website traffic comes from and how users behave on it.
They consist of five basic elements:
| Source (utm_source) | Used to identify the platform where the traffic comes from. Example: facebook, twitter, or google ads |
| Medium (utm_medium) | This parameter identifies the type of campaign, such as email, online advertising, or social media. Example: cpc, display, or newsletter |
| Campaign name (utm_campaign) | This is the reason for creating a link, such as identifying the promotion of a specific product or a strategic campaign. |
| Campaign term (utm_term) | Used for paid search campaigns. It helps identify the keyword used in the campaign or ad. |
| Campaign content (utm_content) | Used for A/B testing and content-targeted ads. Use it to differentiate ads or links that point to the same URL. |
How to use UTM parameters?
The simplest way to create them is through Google’s URL Builder, a free tool that allows you to create custom links with UTM parameters. You can also create them manually respecting the different types of parameters.
To tag a URL, follow these steps:
1. Go to Google’s URL Builder.
2. Enter the URL to which you want to add the parameters.
3. Fill in the fields for source, medium, campaign name, campaign term, and campaign content.
4. Click “Generate URL” and copy the tagged URL.
Once you have created your tagged URL, you can use it in your online advertising campaigns, emails, social media posts, and anywhere else you want to track traffic.
Why are UTM parameters necessary?
UTM parameters are necessary to measure the success of your digital campaigns and determine where all your website traffic comes from. With their help, you can identify the channels and campaigns that are most successful and reallocate marketing time and budget appropriately.
In addition, UTM parameters allow you to:
In summary, UTM parameters are an essential tool for any successful digital marketing strategy. Use them to measure the performance of your links and understand your traffic sources to enhance your content.
Common mistakes when using UTM parameters
Although UTM parameters are a very useful tool for tracking and analyzing digital marketing campaigns, it is important to be aware of some common mistakes that can be made when using them. Here are some of the most frequent errors:
It is important to avoid these mistakes in order to obtain accurate and useful results from tracking marketing campaigns with UTM parameters. Additionally, it is advisable to use tools like Google’s URL Builder to create UTM tags consistently and accurately.
Remember that UTM parameters are a powerful tool for tracking and analyzing digital marketing campaigns, but it is important to use them correctly to obtain accurate and useful results.
Continue reading: Ultimate Guide to Creating an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy
FAQs
| Can I use UTM parameters in any type of link? Yes, UTM parameters can be used in any type of link, whether it’s email links, social media posts, or online ads. |
| Are there limitations on the number of UTM parameters I can use? There is no strict limit on the number of UTM parameters you can use, but it is advisable to keep them simple and relevant to avoid confusion. |
| Should I use UTM parameters in all my links? It depends on your needs and goals. If you want to track all your marketing campaigns in detail, it is advisable to use UTM parameters in most of your links. |
| Do UTM parameters affect website performance? No, UTM parameters do not affect website performance. They are just tags added to URLs and do not impact the speed or functionality of the site. |
| Is it possible to modify UTM parameters after creating the links? Yes, it is possible to modify UTM parameters after creating the links. However, it is important to note that changes may affect the consistency and accuracy of your tracking data. |
When it comes to offering their products and services, many companies lack a clear and precise sales funnel to help them achieve their goals. That’s
Having an eCommerce business in the 21st century requires you to be trendy, relevant, and to gain the trust of internet users. While the main
Online advertising has revolutionized the world of marketing and business in general. Through this medium, companies have found new ways to reach their customers, overcoming
In the world of modern marketing, understanding the customer journey is essential for designing effective strategies. This process represents the path a consumer takes from
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own online store where you can sell various things? The idea of creating
Global digital marketing and strategy services focused on results.
