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Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns

Learn about UTM tracking, how it works, and how you can use it in your GHL Customer Care email marketing to better understand how well your marketing efforts are…

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  1. What is UTM tracking?
  2. Best Practices for UTM Parameters
  3. Where would UTM Parameters would not work?
  4. Steps to Use UTM Parameters

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Learn about UTM tracking, how it works, and how you can use it in your GHL Customer Care email marketing to better understand how well your marketing efforts are performing.

What is UTM tracking?


UTM parameters are short codes attached to the end of URLs. They assist tools like Google Analytics in identifying the sources of your website traffic. By including UTM parameters in your GHL Customer Care email campaigns, you can analyze how your messaging impacts your website traffic and conversions.
In our current implementation, there are 3 UTM parameters that we support by default -
 
a. utm_source = email : This is a mandatory field that is kept selected by default and has the value "email" for internal tracking purpose
b. utm_medium = email marketing: This is an mandatory field but the value can be customised. The default value is "email marketing"
c. utm_campaign = Campaign Name (Send Date): This is an optional fields where the value can be chosen from the drop downs
You can add additional parameters upto 5 in this list by specifying the value as a text.

Best Practices for UTM Parameters

  1. Avoid PII: Do not use personally identifiable information (e.g., social security numbers, addresses). This data is restricted by analytics platforms.

  1. Use Essential Parameters: Stick to utm_source, utm_medium, and utm_campaign for clarity and effective analysis.

  2. Consistent Case: UTM parameters are case sensitive. Choose a capitalization rule and use it consistently.

  3. Prefer Underscores: Use underscores (_) instead of spaces to avoid encoding issues.

Where would UTM Parameters would not work?


1. Trigger Links: For links under trigger links, the UTM parameters would not work in this version of the release
2. Incorrect Syntax: The links need to have the necessary prefixes like https:// and needs to be correct, specially if they were saved under a custom value
3. Test Emails: It is advisable to send dummy campaigns to test UTM parameters

Steps to Use UTM Parameters

  1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.

  2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.

  3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.

    Step 3 of 9: Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the… What this shows Step 3 of 9: Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters. What this shows Shows what to click for step 3 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". At this point in the walkthrough you review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters. The next step is to enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch. Step 3 of 9Image 1 of 5 What to clickReview Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.
    Buttons and menus referenced Trackingb. utm_mediumc. utm_campaignBest Practices for UTM ParametersSteps to Use UTM ParametersSettingsEmail CampaignAdd Custom ParameterSaveSendSchedule
    Next stepEnable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.
    2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.
    3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters. this image
    4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.
    6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.
    7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.

  4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.

  5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.

  6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.

    Step 6 of 9: Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify… What this shows Step 6 of 9: Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values. What this shows Shows what to click for step 6 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". At this point in the walkthrough you add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values. The next step is to select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns. Step 6 of 9Image 2 of 5 What to clickAdd Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.
    Buttons and menus referenced Add Custom Parameterb. utm_mediumc. utm_campaignBest Practices for UTM ParametersSteps to Use UTM ParametersSettingsEmail CampaignTrackingSaveSendSchedule
    Next stepSelect Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.
    2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.
    3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.
    4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.
    6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values. this image
    7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.

  7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.

    Step 7 of 9: Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish… What this shows Step 7 of 9: Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 7 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". This screenshot accompanies step 7 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". At this point in the walkthrough you select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns. The next step is to save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings. Step 7 of 9Image 3 of 5 What to chooseSelect Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    Buttons and menus referenced b. utm_mediumc. utm_campaignBest Practices for UTM ParametersSteps to Use UTM ParametersSettingsEmail CampaignTrackingAdd Custom ParameterSaveSendSchedule
    Next stepSave Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.
    2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.
    3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.
    4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.
    6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.
    7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns. this image
    8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.

  8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.

    Step 8 of 9: Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings What this shows Step 8 of 9: Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings. What this shows Shows how to confirm for step 8 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". This screenshot accompanies step 8 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". At this point in the walkthrough you save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings. The next step is to disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page. Step 8 of 9Image 4 of 5 How to confirmSave Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    Buttons and menus referenced Saveb. utm_mediumc. utm_campaignBest Practices for UTM ParametersSteps to Use UTM ParametersSettingsEmail CampaignTrackingAdd Custom ParameterSendSchedule
    Next stepDisable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.
    2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.
    3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.
    4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.
    6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.
    7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings. this image
    9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.

  9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.

    Step 9 of 9: Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a… What this shows Step 9 of 9: Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page. What this shows Shows what this covers for step 9 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". This screenshot accompanies step 9 of 9 in the "Steps to Use UTM Parameters" section of "Understanding UTM parameters for email campaigns". At this point in the walkthrough you disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page. Step 9 of 9Image 5 of 5 What this coversDisable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page.
    Buttons and menus referenced SendScheduleb. utm_mediumc. utm_campaignBest Practices for UTM ParametersSteps to Use UTM ParametersSettingsEmail CampaignTrackingAdd Custom ParameterSave
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Email Marketing: Go to the Email Marketing section of your platform.
    2. Access Settings: Click on the Settings page under Email Campaign.
    3. Review Tracking Options: Click on the Tracking option to review the default UTM parameters.
    4. Enable Default UTM Parameters: To apply UTM parameters to all campaigns by default, toggle the enable switch.
    5. Edit Default Values: Modify the values for utm_medium or utm_campaign as needed.
    6. Add Custom Parameters: Click on Add Custom Parameter to specify additional parameters and their values.
    7. Select Parameters: Check the boxes next to the UTM parameters you wish to add to your campaigns.
    8. Save Changes: Click Save to apply your settings.
    9. Disable for Specific Campaigns: To disable UTM parameters for a particular campaign, turn off the tracking option on the Send or Schedule page. this image

Frequently asked questions

What is UTM tracking?
UTM parameters are short codes attached to the end of URLs. They assist tools like Google Analytics in identifying the sources of your website traffic. By including UTM parameters in your GHL Customer Care email campaigns, you can analyze how your messaging impacts your website traffic and conversions. In our current implementation, there are 3 UTM parameters that we support by default - a. utm_source = email : This is a mandatory field that is kept selected by default and has the value "email" for internal tracking purpose b. utm_medium = email marketing: This is an mandatory field but the value can be customised. The default value is "email marketing" c. utm_campaign = Campaign Name (Send Date): This is an optional fields where the value can be chosen from the drop downs You can add additional parameters upto 5 in this list by specifying the value as a text.

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