Pricing Resources Case Studies Blog Examples Contact
Log In
Blog

How to Implement Event Tracking in Google Tag Manager for Multiple CTA Buttons on a Single Landing Page

Tracking multiple Call-To-Action (CTA) buttons separately on a landing page is essential for understanding user behavior and optimizing conversion rates. Google Tag Manager (GTM) offers a flexible, code-free solution to set up event tracking for multiple CTAs efficiently. This guide explains how to implement event tracking for multiple CTA buttons using GTM, enabling you to capture detailed interaction data for each button.

Why Track Multiple CTA Buttons Individually?

Tracking all CTA clicks as a single metric only provides aggregate data, which obscures which buttons perform best. By tracking each CTA separately, you can:

  • Measure the performance of each CTA button independently.
  • Identify which messaging or design drives more conversions.
  • Create targeted remarketing audiences based on specific button interactions.
  • Build advanced conversion funnels in Google Analytics.

Step 1: Ensure Each CTA Button Is Uniquely Identifiable

Use unique HTML attributes on each CTA to differentiate them in GTM triggers and variables. The most common attributes include:

  • ID (e.g., <button id="signup-btn">)
  • Class (e.g., <button class="cta signup">)
  • Text content (e.g., button label)
  • Custom data attributes (recommended), such as data-cta

Example with data-cta attributes:

<button data-cta="download-ebook">Download Ebook</button>
<button data-cta="request-demo">Request Demo</button>
<button data-cta="contact-sales">Contact Sales</button>

Adding data attributes might require developer assistance or can be inspected/added via browser developer tools like Chrome DevTools.

Step 2: Set Up Your Google Tag Manager Account and Container

  1. Create or log in to your GTM account at tagmanager.google.com.
  2. Add a new container for your website and choose the Web platform.
  3. Follow GTM's instructions to install the container snippet in your site's <head> and <body> sections.

Step 3: Enable Built-In Variables for Click Tracking in GTM

GTM’s built-in click variables let you capture important click information. Enable these:

  1. Navigate to Variables > Configure in GTM.
  2. Under Clicks, activate:
    • Click Element
    • Click Classes
    • Click ID
    • Click Text

Step 4: Create Click Triggers for Your CTA Buttons

You can set up GTM triggers tailored to track your CTA button clicks in two ways:

Option A: Individual Triggers for Each CTA Button

Create one trigger per CTA button by targeting unique attributes.

  • By ID or Classes:
    Conditions example:
    Click ID equals download-ebook-btn
    or
    Click Classes contains download-ebook

  • By Custom Data Attribute:
    Create a Custom JavaScript Variable to read your data-cta attribute:

function() {
  var el = {{Click Element}};
  return el.getAttribute('data-cta');
}

Then, define your trigger condition:
JS - Click Data CTA equals download-ebook

Repeat for each CTA button to accurately track their clicks.

Option B: Single Trigger for All CTA Buttons

If all buttons share a common class (e.g., cta), create a single trigger to listen for clicks on any CTA:

  • Trigger Type: All Elements or Just Links (based on your CTA elements).
  • Condition: Click Classes contains cta

This trigger fires on any CTA click, and you can capture which button was clicked using variables like Click Text or the custom data attribute variable for detailed reporting.

Step 5: Configure Variables to Capture CTA Details

Use variables to capture identifying details of the clicked CTA, which you will send to Google Analytics.

  • Built-in variables: Click Text, Click ID, Click Classes
  • Custom variable for data-cta attribute (as created in Step 4)

These variables allow you to attach meaningful event parameters that describe which button was clicked.

Step 6: Set Up Google Analytics Event Tags in GTM

For Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

  1. Create a GA4 Configuration Tag if none exists (enter your GA4 Measurement ID).
  2. Create a new Tag:
    • Tag Type: Google Analytics: GA4 Event
    • Event Name: cta_click (or another clear name)
  3. Add Event Parameters with variables capturing CTA details:
Parameter Name Value
cta_name {{Click Text}} or custom var
cta_id {{Click ID}}
cta_class {{Click Classes}}
  1. Select the trigger created in Step 4.
  2. Save the tag.

For Universal Analytics (UA)

  1. Create a new Tag:
    • Tag Type: Google Analytics: Universal Analytics
    • Track Type: Event
    • Category: CTA
    • Action: Click
    • Label: {{Click Text}} or custom variable
  2. Link your Google Analytics Settings Variable.
  3. Attach the CTA Click trigger.
  4. Save.

Step 7: Test Your Implementation Using GTM Preview Mode

Before publishing:

  1. Use the Preview mode in GTM to connect to your landing page.
  2. Click each CTA button and verify that the correct trigger and tag fire.
  3. Check event details in the GTM debug console.
  4. In GA4, monitor the DebugView to confirm events are arriving with correct parameters.

Step 8: Publish and Monitor Your Event Tracking

After verifying functionality:

  1. Submit and publish the container in GTM.
  2. Monitor event data in Google Analytics under Engagement > Events (GA4) or Behavior > Events (UA).
  3. Use event parameters (cta_name, cta_id, cta_class) to analyze CTA performance individually.

Best Practices for Scalable Multiple CTA Event Tracking

  • Use consistent and descriptive naming for data-cta attributes or classes.
  • Prefer a single trigger with custom variables over multiple triggers for easier maintenance.
  • Regularly audit your setup after landing page updates to avoid tracking issues.
  • Consider setting up custom dimensions for enhanced segmentation based on CTA interactions.
  • Combine event tracking with tools like Google Analytics Audiences for remarketing.

Additional Tips: Enhance Your Insights with Feedback Tools

Pair GTM event tracking with qualitative feedback tools like Zigpoll to ask visitors why they did or didn't click a CTA. This combines quantitative interaction data with user insights for comprehensive optimization.

Summary

To implement event tracking for multiple CTA buttons on a single landing page using Google Tag Manager:

  1. Add unique identifiers (IDs, classes, or data- attributes) to each CTA button.
  2. Enable relevant GTM built-in click variables.
  3. Create click triggers targeting each button or a single trigger for all CTAs.
  4. Set up custom variables to capture button characteristics.
  5. Create GA4 (or UA) event tags sending detailed event parameters.
  6. Verify your setup in GTM Preview and GA DebugView.
  7. Publish your container and analyze individual CTA performance in Google Analytics.

This approach empowers you to understand precisely which CTAs drive engagement and conversions, optimizing your landing page for maximum results.

Useful Resources

Start tracking your CTAs effectively today with GTM and gain actionable insights to boost conversions!

Start surveying for free.

Try our no-code surveys that visitors actually answer.
Get Started See Examples

Questions or Feedback?

We are always ready to hear from you.
Let's Talk
×