how to track form submissions in WordPress

Tracking Form Submissions in WordPress

Understanding how users interact with forms on your WordPress site is critical for improving user experience, refining marketing strategies, and boosting conversion rates. To effectively track form submissions, several tools and techniques can be employed. This guide will walk you through various methods to accurately monitor and optimize your form performance.

Utilizing Plugins for Form Tracking

1. Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights
MonsterInsights, a popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress, simplifies form tracking. Once installed, enable form tracking in its settings:

• Install and activate MonsterInsights.
• Navigate to Insights > Addons and install the ‘Forms’ addon.
• Go to Insights > Settings > Conversions and enable ‘Form Tracking.’

MonsterInsights automatically tags your forms and sends the data back to Google Analytics, where you can analyze conversion rates and user interactions per form.

2. WPForms
WPForms is an intuitive, beginner-friendly plugin favored for creating powerful forms with ease. It integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics and other platforms offering insights:

• Create a form using WPForms.
• In the form settings, integrate with your Google Analytics or email marketing service.
• Direct integration with MonsterInsights can also enhance tracking capabilities without manual tagging.

Advanced Tracking with Google Tag Manager

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Google Tag Manager (GTM) provides a robust framework:

• Install GTM and add the container snippet to your WordPress head tag.
• Within GTM, create a new tag for form submission tracking using the Universal Analytics Tag type.
• Set up a trigger: Choose ‘Form Submission’ and configure it to fire on form ID or classes.
• Test the trigger using GTM’s Preview mode to ensure it fires on the correct form interactions.

Google Tag Manager allows for more detailed tagging and integration of multiple analytics and marketing services, making it a powerful tool for advanced users.

Email Notification System

Most form plugins support email notifications, serving as an immediate alert when a form is submitted:

• Configure your form plugin to send a notification upon submission.
• Include details such as the form ID and user input in the email for quick reference.
• Use conditional logic features in some plugins to customize the notifications based on user responses.

This method is particularly useful for contact forms, applications, and any scenarios where direct communication is initiated.

Database Management

Form submissions can be stored directly in your WordPress database, providing a backup and a way to analyze data locally:

• Ensure your form plugin has database entry capabilities (e.g., Caldera Forms, Gravity Forms).
• Regularly export the data for offline analysis or integrate with tools like phpMyAdmin for in-depth database management.
• Maintain regular backups and ensure data privacy compliance (especially with GDPR).

Real-Time Analytics and Dashboard Plugins

Integrate real-time analytics solutions to get immediate insights into how users interact with your forms:

• Use dashboard plugins like ExactMetrics or Jetpack to view form submission analytics directly in your WordPress dashboard.
• Set up real-time alerts and widgets to monitor form activity as it happens.

A/B Testing

To maximize form effectiveness, consider conducting A/B tests:

• Use plugins like Nelio AB Testing or marketing platforms that support this functionality.
• Test different elements of your form (e.g., field labels, page placements, and call to action buttons).
• Track submissions from each version to determine the most effective layout or wording.

SEO Consideration for Submission Pages

Ensure that the landing pages or thank you pages following a form submission are optimized for search engines. This includes:

• Using keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
• Ensuring quick load times.
• Having mobile-responsive designs.
• Featuring engaging content that encourages further interaction with your site.

By leveraging these various tools and tactics, WordPress site owners can significantly enhance their understanding of how visitors use forms and how to continuously improve their interactions and conversions. Through meticulous tracking and continuous optimization, you can make data-driven decisions that align with your business objectives and user needs.