This article was created to share best practices around adding tracking to promotional links. This page is a work in progress and will be updated when we have new information to share.
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Why do we need a tracking system?
Adding tracking to your links allows you to effectively:
- Justify your work
- Avoid wasting time or money on things that don't produce results
- Work smarter rather than harder
Ultimately, it’s marketing’s job to find new markets and drive leads. Tracking allows us to be more effective in our roles and to know what drives results.
What should we add tracking to?
We should add tracking to anything that is:
- Outbound marketing efforts (emails, ads, social posts, recruitment requests, etc)
- Anything that you are spending money on
- Anything that takes you a lot of time to develop
Who is responsible for adding/reviewing tracking?
Ultimately, because the campaign owner is responsible for the success of the campaign, it is the campaign owner's responsibility to ensure proper tracking is added to the link. If the campaign owner is working with a web team member to create the link, they should share the appropriate codes and review/test the link before it is sent out.
How do I add tracking to my links?
Before you create your codes, you will need to know what URL you are promoting, where you are promoting (SOURCE), how you are promoting (MEDIUM), what campaign you are promoting (CAMPAIGN). Once you know that, you can create the link with tracking using the following link builders (
Europe,
US)
- enter the URL in the base link column (this is what your post/email/ad will point to)
- select the source in the dropdown in the source column
- select the medium in the dropdown in the medium column
- select campaign in campaign column
- enter the salesforce id
- This will produce a link with tracking in tracking link column
What if i don't know what code to use, or what if my code doesn't exist?
If you don’t know what code to use or don’t think your code exists, please post a question on this community space and Alexa will let you know what code is appropriate. Additionally, we understand that we are continually marketing in new spaces and can accomodate that.
Can I just create my own tracking codes?
The purpose of having a tracking system is to effectively manage and compare our efforts. We need to remain consistent in how we code. If you need a new code because you are marketing in a new space, please reach out to Alexa. She will let you know if there is an existing code that is appropriate or if we need to create a new one.
How do I see the results of my tracking?
Right now, we are asking folks to use
Google Analytics (GA) to find the results of their tracking. I have created a Word doc attached to this space that walks you through how to find your information. If you need help, please reach out to John Mosier, Sara or Alexa. Additionally, we can help you set up reoccurring reports that get emailed to you. Eventually there will be dashboards created to view results more easily and not require GA.
What are some of the best practices for tracking?
- Have tracking as a line item in GMS workflows
- Have tracking checks be a line item in GMS workflows
- Know who is ultimately responsible for tracking
- Check results early (use how to review Campaign data in GA doc)
- Bookmark link builders (Europe, US)
- Bookmark this Tracking FAQ page
- Talk to Alexa about any issues/adding new fields to link builders
- Get comfortable in GA
- Any time we have a new hire, review this process with them
- Review data with your team on a regular basis
yep that is great. I have updated the doc as well to include some of Ryan's youtube requests such as medium = card, endscreen, comment, etc.
Sara,
I created a new tracking code for Sprinklr campaigns about JMP Live: liv
Is that OK?
Arati
