How to Install & Set Up Google Tag Manager (Quick Guide)

If you already have a Google Account, setting up Google Tag Manager (GTM) has never been easier.

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create your own Google Tag Manager Account, enabling you to add tags to your website, APP or AMP pages in a matter of minutes.

*Note if you want to find out more about Google Tag Manager and what it is, check out my previous post here.

So, what are we waiting for, let’s learn how to set up Google Tag Manager!

Step 1: Visit The Google Tag Manager Account Page

Click on The GTM Account link: https://www.google.co.uk/analytics/tag-manager/

If you’ve already got a Google Account proceed to the next step. If you don’t have a Google Account, you’ll need to create one here: https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Step 2: Sign In With Your Google Account

Click ‘SIGN IN’ to create a GTM Account with your Google Account

Step 3. Create Your GTM Account

After you’ve signed in you should be on the GTM Account creation page.

Add your company name and click CONTINUE.

Step 4: Setup Your GTM Container

The Container is where you’ll manage all your tags.

Label the Container name with the name of your site (don’t use https:// or https://).
Select where the container will be used, Web, iOS, Android or AMP.
Click ‘CREATE’.

Step 5: Agree to the GTM Terms of Service

Click ‘YES’ – it’s the only option which will allow you to make further progress J.

Step 6: Open Your GTM Container

Click on your Container Name

Step 7: Click on your GTM Tracking code ID

Click on the GTM Tracking ID

Step 8: Install GTM

IMPORTANT!

Before you go ahead with following the next steps, make sure you audit the current tags installed in the code of your website, app or AMP pages and create an analytics migration plan before you begin.

For example, if you have Universal Google Analytics installed on every page already, and you deploy Universal Analytics using Google Tag Manager, you will end up with two identical Universal Analytics codes on the page. This will result in double counting of pageviews and inaccurate bounce rate metrics.

Some CMS systems e.g. WordPress and Magento allow users to add tracking tags using plugins. Taking stock of what’s already installed on your site before adding tags to GTM is a sensible precaution to safeguard your data.

Not all vendor tags are currently supported by GTM, and for those which aren’t, you’ll want to check in with the vendor’s technical support to ensure their tracking code will work with GTM. Here’s the list of supported tags: https://support.google.com/tagmanager/answer/6106924?hl=en

It’s also why you need to run a GTM Tracking Coverage Report whenever you make major analytics changes or upgrades.

Once you’ve documented your current tracking set up and worked out any compatibility issues, follow the instructions in the GTM pop window to add the code to your website (See the screenshot in Step 5.) You may need your developer to help you with this:

More information

https://developers.google.com/tag-manager/quickstart

Step 9: Check GTM Container Tracking Code Coverage

You’ll want to ensure a tracking coverage report is run to test GTM is on every page. There are lots of tools that can help you keep track of which tags you have on all pages across your site. One of these is gachecker.com which is free and will analyse small sites (less than 10,000 pages). See https://www.gachecker.com/.

Step 10: Add Your Tags and Test

Good work, you’ve got GTM Installed. In future posts, we’ll show you how to install Google Analytics and test and publish it in GTM. Stay tuned! Subscribe to our Newsletter to be notified when we publish this post.

How Do I Install GTM on WordPress?

We’d recommend using this excellent plugin which includes additional GTM tracking options and makes installing Google Tag Manager a breeze: https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/duracelltomi-google-tag-manager/

Next Steps

Congrats on reaching the end of this post. At this stage, you should have set up a GTM Account, created and installed your GTM Container and checked it’s on every page. You’ll be ready to add your very first tag.

Thanks for reading our guide to setting up Google Tag Manager, we hope you found it useful! Don’t hesitate to add a comment or send me a mail if you have questions, or need some support with GTM.

Our Other Google Tag Manager Resources

If you need help with Google Tag Manager or any part of your Analytics, feel free to get in touch by calling us on 01273 733 433 or contacting us using the form below:

Contact Us

Name*
First Last
Email*
Message*
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

YMCA DLG

July 14, 2023.

Jason of Site visibility has been really supportive of us at @YMCA Downslink, connecting us to people in his network that can help us with specialist information and training, otherwise often less affordable for us in the 3rd sector. Thanks Jason, your team and network.

James Ewens

June 20, 2023.

Jason and the team at SiteVisibility are an absolute pleasure to work with and I cannot recommend them enough. Jason listens to the brand and always provides solutions that match the business goals, unlike some agencies that believe they know more!

Robyn Bignall-Donnelly

June 15, 2023.

Appreciated how helpful Jason was in our consultation chat, being responsive and flexible in trying to work out ways to help despite the constraints of our very limited budget.

Matt Jones

June 6, 2023.

I was really impressed with Jason and the team at SiteVisibility. Although it wasn't a good fit for the smaller budget that I had, Jason still spent a good deal of time giving me his marketing and SEO advice based on my goals and budget outline, which was really kind of him and greatly appreciated.

Rosie Ashman

June 5, 2023.

I've been working with SiteVisbility for a GA and GTM implementation project. The team (Nay, Aaron, Ana) have been incredibly helpful, giving so much of their time to support the project on calls, offering invaluable advice and really making the effort to work with our specific business needs. A super friendly group of people that I would 100% recommend anyone work with.

Vicky King

May 23, 2023.

Jason and the team at SiteVisibility are extremely knowledge and provide expert advice on all things SEO and digital marketing - they regularly share their skills in podcasts, workshops, online articles.

Jamie Forshaw

April 28, 2023.

I contacted SiteVisibilty and ended up speaking with Jason. After a brief discussion he was very open and honest that we weren't quite the right fit (given the stage of my new business), and rather than just leaving it there, Jason has gone over and above to help me, including introducing me to a number of his contacts and some thoughts on the direction we could go strategically. After only spending a short amount of time with Jason I could tell straight away he has an amazing passion for digital and oozes integrity and vast knowledge I will definitely keep Jason and SiteVisibilty in mind for the future, I'd love to scale in the future to work with these guys.

Charlie Coburn

April 26, 2023.

Site Visibility are an agency bursting with talent and innovation. They are at the forefront of the industry; credited with being able combine industry expertise in house and also bring together the global SEO community to catalyse collaboration and drive progression.

Lucy Ross

April 25, 2023.

Excellent service and kind people!

Learn How To Install & Set Up Google Tag Manager (GTM) Today