Are you looking to grow your Thinkific online course business? Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on Google Ads can be a powerful tool to drive targeted traffic to your course landing pages.
But how do you know if your PPC campaigns generate signups and revenue? The key is conversion tracking, which allows you to measure the impact of your PPC ads and make data-driven decisions to optimize your campaigns. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to track Thinkific signups from Google Ads like a pro.
We’ll cover everything from setting up conversion tracking in Google Ads to using Google Analytics to measure your ROI and optimize your campaigns. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and tools you need to take your Thinkific PPC campaigns to the next level.
Setting up Conversion Tracking in Google Ads
Regarding tracking signups from PPC advertising on Thinkific, Google Ads conversion tracking is an essential tool. Conversion tracking lets you see which of your ads drive the most signups and revenue, so you can optimize your campaigns and maximize your return on investment (ROI).
To set up conversion tracking in Google Ads, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Create a Conversion Action
First, you’ll need to create a conversion action in Google Ads. You want users to take this action on your Thinkific site, such as completing a course signup or purchase.
To create a conversion action, click “Tools & Settings” and click “Conversions.” Then, click the blue plus button to create a new conversion action. Follow the prompts to set up your action, and make sure to select “Website” as the source of the conversion.
2. Install the Conversion Tracking Code
Once you’ve created your conversion action, install the conversion tracking code on your Thinkific site. This code is what tells Google Ads when a conversion has occurred.
To install the code, go to “Website” in the “Conversions” section of Google Ads and click on “Install the tag yourself.” Copy the code provided and paste it into the header of your Thinkific site just before the closing </head> tag.
3. Test Your Tracking
After installing the conversion tracking code, it’s important to test that it’s working correctly. You can do this by using the Google Ads Tag Assistant or the Google Analytics Debugger, which can help you identify any issues with your tracking code.
In addition to these steps, there are a few tips for troubleshooting common issues with conversion tracking in Google Ads. For example, ensure your conversion action is set up correctly, and the code is installed on your Thinkific site.
You should also check that there are no conflicts with other tracking codes or plugins on your site that could interfere with your Google Ads tracking.
Using Google Analytics to Track Thinkific Conversions
What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can help you track your Thinkific conversions, measure your ROI, and optimize your campaigns for better results. By setting up Google Analytics for your Thinkific site and creating goals for your conversion actions, you can get a more comprehensive view of your PPC campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve their performance.
Here’s how to set up Google Analytics for Thinkific and create a goal for tracking signups:
- You must first have your Google Analytics account already set up. You’ll need to create a Google Analytics account if you don’t already have one. Go to analytics.google.com and sign up for a free account. Follow the prompts to set up your account and connect it to your Thinkific site.
- Once you have a Google Analytics account, you must install the tracking code on your Thinkific site. Go to your Thinkific admin dashboard and click on “Advanced Settings” > “Analytics.” Then, paste your Google Analytics tracking code into the “Google Analytics ID” field.
- After installing the Google Analytics tracking code, you’ll need to create a goal for tracking signups. To do this, click “Admin” in your Google Analytics account and click “Goals.” Then, click on the blue plus button to create a new goal.
Follow the prompts to set up your goal, and select “Destination” as the type of goal. For the goal URL, use the thank-you page that appears after a user completes a signup on your Thinkific site.
- Once you’ve created it, testing that it works correctly is important. You can do this by using the “Real-Time” report in Google Analytics, which allows you to see your goal completions in real time as you test your tracking.
Tips for Troubleshooting Common Issues
There are a few tips for troubleshooting common issues with Google Analytics tracking. For example, ensure your tracking code is installed correctly and set your goal with the right type and URL.
You should also check that there are no conflicts with other tracking codes or plugins on your Thinkific site that could interfere with your Google Analytics tracking.
Measuring ROI and Optimizing PPC Campaigns
Once you have set up conversion tracking in Google Ads and Google Analytics for your Thinkific site, it’s time to measure your ROI and optimize your PPC campaigns for better results. Here’s how to do it:
Calculate ROI
To measure your ROI for PPC campaigns on Thinkific, calculate the revenue generated from your conversions and subtract the cost of your ad spend. This equation will give you a clear picture of how much money you’re making from your campaigns.
To calculate ROI, use this formula: (Revenue – Cost of Ad Spend) / Cost of Ad Spend.
Analyze Your Conversion Data
With conversion tracking data from Google Ads and Google Analytics, you can analyze your PPC campaigns’ performance and identify improvement areas. Look at the data for each campaign and ad group to see which ones generate the most conversions and which are underperforming.
Optimize Your Campaigns
Optimize your PPC campaigns for better results based on your conversion data analysis. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Use your conversion data to refine your targeting for better results. For example, if one audience segment converts at a higher rate, consider allocating more budget to that segment or creating more specific ad groups that target that audience.
- Look at the ad copy for your best-performing campaigns and ad groups and use that as a template for improving your underperforming ones. Use strong calls to action and highlight the benefits of your product or service.
- Continuously test and iterate your PPC campaigns to improve their performance. Try different ad formats, bidding strategies, and landing pages to see what works best for your audience.
Monitor and Adjust
Once you’ve optimized your PPC campaigns, monitoring their performance regularly and making adjustments as needed is important. Use the data from your conversion tracking to see if your changes have the desired effect and make tweaks as necessary.
How to Track Thinkific Signups from Google Ads Like a Pro: Conclusion
Tracking signups from PPC advertising on Thinkific is essential for optimizing your campaigns and maximizing your ROI. By setting up conversion tracking in Google Ads and Google Analytics, you can measure your performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your campaigns.
Following these steps and best practices, you can track Thinkific signups from Google Ads like a pro and optimize your campaigns for better results. Remember to continuously monitor your performance, test and iterate your campaigns, and adjust as needed to achieve your goals.
We hope this guide has helped improve your PPC advertising on Thinkific. Good luck and happy tracking!