6 Steps To Secure Your Google Tag Manager Account and Container
Google Tag Manager Is Free
Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a free tool that acts as a “master” digital tracker; a container for your tracking tags. It’s what allows you to do a one-time install. You will set up the three platforms within GTM, then install the GTM-provided code to your site.
There are two main benefits of using a tag manager like this. First, it helps balance out page-load speed. Without a tag manager, there is a risk that tracking elements will slow down your site. A tag manager lets the page load first and then triggers all of the tracking.
Second, you can manage and configure any digital tracking through the tag manager itself. This capability allows you to move quickly and push tracking changes to the site without needing a developer.
You first need to secure a Google Tag Manager account and create a container for your website.
1. Make sure you are logged into the proper Google account for your small business. You’re going to be creating accounts, and it is important to use the right account connected to your business.
2. Go to TagManager.Google.com; in the upper right you may need to click “Sign In.”
3. In the upper right, click “Create Account.”
4. Give the account the name of your small business. You can also opt to share anonymous data with Google.
5. Scroll down and set up your container.
a. Name the container as your website domain (i.e., the URL for your website).
b. As the target platform, select “Web.”
c. Click “Create.”
6. You will be asked to accept the terms of use. Remember to check the GDPR option (the terms governing compliance with European regulations) in the bottom left of the page.
Congratulations! You have just secured your Google Tag Manager account and created a tag container. Most likely, you’ll see a popup window with the web code you will need later. For now, you can close the popup.
Installing the code will be the last thing you do.
Next, it’s on to setting up Google Analytics so you can get detailed visitor data from your website.