How to Track Phone Calls on Google Analytics

Tracking phone calls in Google Analytics can help you see how well your marketing is working. If your business relies on phone calls, this guide will show you step-by-step how to track them easily.

Why Should You Track Phone Calls?

Here’s why tracking phone calls is important:

1. See What Works: Find out which ads or marketing campaigns make people call you.
2. Improve Your Business: Understand what customers want when they call.
3. Track Results: Know how many calls turn into sales or leads.

Easy Steps to Track Phone Calls in Google Analytics

1. Use a Call Tracking Tool

Call tracking tools make it easy to see which ads or channels are driving calls. These tools give you special phone numbers that track calls automatically.

Some popular tools are:

• CallRail
• CallTrackingMetrics
• Google Ads Call Tracking

These tools help you track calls from specific ads, keywords, or even your website.

2. Set Up Goals in Google Analytics

Once you have a call tracking tool, connect it to Google Analytics. You’ll track calls as goals in Analytics.

How to Set Up Goals:

1. Open Google Analytics:
   Log in and select your account and website.
2. Go to Goals:
   • Click on the Admin tab.
   • Under “View,” select Goals and then click + New Goal.
3. Choose Custom Goal:
   • Select Custom Goal and choose Event as the type.
4. Add Event Details:
   • Fill in the event details:
     • Category: Phone Call
     • Action: Click-to-Call
     • Label: Your Campaign Name
5. Save and Test:
   Save the goal and make a test call to see if it works.

3. Use Google Tag Manager (GTM) for Click-to-Call

If your website has phone number links (like tel:), you can track when people click to call using Google Tag Manager.

Steps to Track Click-to-Call:

1. Set Up a Tag:
   • Go to GTM and create a new Tag for Universal Analytics.
   • Use “Phone Call” as the category and “Click-to-Call” as the action.
2. Create a Trigger:
   • Set up a trigger that tracks clicks on tel: links.
3. Test and Publish:
   • Preview your changes, test the tag, and publish it.

4. Use Dynamic Number Insertion (DNI)

Dynamic Number Insertion (DNI) shows different phone numbers based on where your visitors come from (e.g., ads, organic search, or social media).

Why Use DNI?

• Tracks calls from specific campaigns.
• Helps identify your best-performing ads or channels.
• Makes reporting more accurate.

You can enable DNI using tools like CallRail or CallTrackingMetrics.

What to Track?

Here are some important things to track:

1. Total Calls: How many calls your campaigns generate.
2. Call Duration: Longer calls often mean more interest.
3. Source of Calls: Which ads, keywords, or channels drive the most calls.
4. Missed Calls: Follow up on missed calls to avoid losing customers.

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Tips for Better Call Tracking

1. Use UTM Codes

Add UTM codes to your ad links. This lets you track where your visitors are coming from.

Example Link with UTM Code:
https://yourwebsite.com?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ads&utm_campaign=spring_sale

2. Check Reports Regularly

Keep an eye on your Google Analytics reports to understand trends and improve performance.

3. Follow Privacy Rules

Let your customers know their calls may be tracked. Always follow data protection laws like GDPR.Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Track Calls Without a Tool?

Yes, but it’s limited. You can track clicks on phone links using Google Tag Manager.

How Much Do Call Tracking Tools Cost?

Basic plans start at around $30 per month.

Is Call Tracking Useful for Small Businesses?

Absolutely! If phone calls are important for your business, tracking helps you grow and improve.