Using QR codes in print campaigns, product packaging, event booths, or posters? Great, but if you’re not adding UTM tags, you’re missing out on valuable data. UTM tags are not just digital marketing fluff; they’re a vital tracking tool that turns blind QR scans into actionable insights.
Let’s say you distribute the same product brochure in two cities, New York and Chicago. If both QR codes lead to the same bare URL, you’ll never know which city drove more traffic or conversions.
But with UTM parameters like
or
You can pinpoint exactly where your results are coming from.
By embedding UTM tags into your QR code URLs, you unlock the power to analyze campaign performance, A/B test locations, rotate traffic, compare design versions, and optimize your strategy – all with data you can use. The best part? It only takes a few extra seconds.
This guide will show you how to create UTM-tagged links, generate QR codes, and track results like a pro. Whether managing a product launch, hosting a trade show booth, or running a local flyer drop, it’s time to make your QR codes work smarter, not just harder.
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How to add UTM tags to QR codes in Replug (step-by-step)?
Go to Replug.io and log in to your dashboard. If you don’t have an account, sign up for a 14-day free trial.
Step 01: Paste your link
On the homepage, paste the link you want to use in your QR code campaign into the “quickly shorten your link” bar.
Press Enter, and a pop-up window will appear.
Step 02: Add UTM parameters
Click on the “add UTMs” button next to your original link.
Fill in your preferred UTM parameters (source, medium, campaign, etc.), then click apply.
After adding preferred UTM data, click on Apply. Your UTMs will be added.
Step 4: Generate a QR code
From the same pop-up, click on the QR code button next to the copy link button.
You’ll be redirected to the QR code customization window, where you can style it with custom colors, shapes, and logos.
Step 5: Download and share
Download your QR code in PNG, JPEG, SVG, or WEBP format. Add it to business cards, packaging, flyers, or anywhere else you want to guide people with a quick scan.
Step 6: Track QR code performance
For QR code tracking. Head to the analytics tab. Filter performance data by campaign or time and see real-time insights including:
Total scans
Referral sources
Device types
Geographic locations
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for marketing professionals & agencies.
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Conclusion
Incorporating UTM tags into your QR codes isn’t optional; it’s the difference between guessing and knowing. Without UTM tracking, your analytics can’t differentiate between a scan from a product box, a printed flyer, or an event badge. That’s a huge blind spot, especially when you’re running multiple offline campaigns and need to justify marketing ROI.
Let’s be real: QR codes are everywhere. However, most businesses still miss the mark by using plain URLs that provide zero context after a scan. UTM tags change that. With just a few parameters added to your links, you gain full visibility into campaign performance, scan sources, and user behavior – all visible in your analytics dashboard.
FAQs on adding UTM tags to QR codes
Can I edit UTM tags after the QR code is printed?
Only if you’re using a dynamic QR code service like Replug. You can update the destination URL even after print.
Are UTM tags readable by QR scanners?
No, the scanner just reads the full URL. The tags aren’t “read”- they’re passed into your analytics tool when the link loads.
Will longer UTM-tagged URLs affect QR code scannability?
Yes, longer URLs can generate denser QR codes, making them harder to scan. Use a URL shortener or dynamic QR code generator to keep it clean.
Can I edit UTM tags after the QR code is printed?
Only if you’re using a dynamic QR code service like Replug. You can update the destination URL even after print.
Are UTM tags readable by QR scanners?
No, the scanner just reads the full URL. The tags aren’t “read”- they’re passed into your analytics tool when the link loads.
Will longer UTM-tagged URLs affect QR code scannability?
Yes, longer URLs can generate denser QR codes, making them harder to scan. Use a URL shortener or dynamic QR code generator to keep it clean.
TikTok’s skyrocketing popularity has opened up exciting new opportunities for businesses to reach fresh audiences and measure the success of their campaigns. One of the best ways to track your marketing efforts on TikTok is by using UTM tags.
But let’s be honest—creating UTMs isn’t always straightforward. Many people end up using clunky methods like Google Sheets to manage their UTMs. That’s where we come in. At Replug, we designed a free UTM builder to simplify the process and help you get the most out of your TikTok ads.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create UTMs for TikTok ads effortlessly. By the end, you’ll be able to track your campaigns with precision and make data-driven decisions to boost your marketing success.
What are UTM parameters?
UTM parameters, also known as UTM tags or UTM codes, are snippets of text appended to a URL to track the source, medium, campaign, term, and content of a marketing link. These parameters help marketers understand where their website traffic is coming from and how users interact with their marketing campaigns.
Here’s a breakdown of the five UTM parameters:
Source (utm_source): This parameter identifies the specific source of the traffic, such as the platform or website where the link was clicked. For example, if you’re running ads on TikTok, the source would be “tiktok”.
Medium (utm_medium): The medium parameter describes the marketing medium or type of traffic, such as email, social, or CPC (cost-per-click) advertising. For TikTok ads, the medium could be “cpc” (cost-per-click).
Campaign (utm_campaign): This parameter specifies the name of the marketing campaign associated with the link. It helps differentiate between different campaigns running simultaneously. For example, if you’re running a summer sale campaign on TikTok, the campaign name could be “summer_sale”.
Term (utm_term): This parameter is typically used for paid search campaigns to identify the keywords associated with the ad. However, for TikTok ads, it may not be as relevant unless you’re running keyword-targeted campaigns.
Content (utm_content): The content parameter allows you to differentiate between different elements within the same campaign. For example, if you’re testing two different ad creatives for your TikTok summer sale campaign, you could use “video_ad1” and “video_ad2” as content identifiers.
Why should you use UTM tags on TikTok?
Using UTM tags on TikTok offers several important benefits for marketers:
Track campaign performance:
UTM tags enable you to track the effectiveness of your TikTok campaigns accurately. By appending UTMs to your ad URLs, you can monitor metrics such as clicks, conversions, and engagement specific to each campaign, source, and medium.
Identify traffic sources:
With UTM tags, you can pinpoint the exact sources driving traffic to your website from TikTok. Whether it’s from organic posts, paid ads, or influencer collaborations, UTMs help you understand which channels are delivering the most value.
Measure ROI:
By tracking the performance of your TikTok campaigns using UTMs, you can calculate the return on investment (ROI) more precisely. This data allows you to assess the cost-effectiveness of your marketing efforts and allocate your budget more effectively in the future.
Optimize campaigns:
UTM-tagged URLs provide valuable insights into user behavior and preferences. By analyzing UTM data, you can identify trends, determine which content resonates best with your audience, and optimize your TikTok campaigns for better results.
Enhance reporting:
UTM parameters make it easier to generate detailed reports on your TikTok marketing activities. Whether you’re reporting to clients, stakeholders, or your team, UTMs provide clear and granular data that can support your analysis and decision-making.
Facilitate A/B testing:
UTMs allow you to conduct A/B tests effectively by tracking different variations of your TikTok ads or content. By comparing the performance of URLs with different UTM parameters, you can identify which strategies yield the highest conversion rates and refine your approach accordingly.
How to create UTMs for TikTok ads using Replug?
Replug is a URL shortening and tracking platform that allows you to create custom short links with UTM parameters for tracking purposes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating UTMs for TikTok ads using Replug:
Step 1: Sign in to Replug
Visit the Replug app and sign in to your account. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for free.
Step 2: Enter campaign and URL details
Once logged in, simply choose a campaign on your dashboard (create a new campaign if you’re a new user) and enter the TikTok campaign URL in the “URL to shorten” field.
Step 3: Configure UTM parameters
In the campaign creation process, you’ll have the option to add UTM parameters to your links. Specify the UTM parameters according to your campaign requirements. This typically includes parameters like source, medium, campaign, term, and content.
Note: For TikTok ads, ensure that you set the source as “tiktok” and the medium as “cpc” (cost-per-click), or any other relevant medium depending on your campaign goals.
Step 4: Generate short link
After configuring the UTM parameters, click the “Create” button and proceed to generate a short link for your TikTok ad. Replug will automatically create a shortened URL with the specified UTM parameters appended to it.
Step 5: Customize the URL slug
Replug allows you to customize the shortened URL. You can choose a unique identifier or keyword to make the link more memorable or reflect your content.
Step 6: Use shortened URL in the TikTok ad
Copy the shortened URL generated by Replug. Paste this URL as the destination URL in your TikTok ad setup when creating or editing your ad campaign.
Step 7: Track performance
Once your TikTok ad campaign is live, Replug will track the performance of the shortened URL with UTMs. You view analytics and track metrics such as clicks, conversions, and engagement for your TikTok ad campaign.
Note: Remember to analyze the data provided by Replug to optimize your TikTok ad strategy and maximize your marketing efforts. Happy tracking!
Final Note
UTM tags are invaluable tools for marketers looking to optimize their TikTok ad campaigns and maximize their ROI. By leveraging Replug’s UTM builder, you can easily create custom short links with UTMs, track the performance of your campaigns, and make data-driven decisions to achieve your marketing objectives.
FAQs
Is the TikTok UTM Builder compatible with all types of TikTok ad campaigns?
Yes, the TikTok UTM Builder is compatible with all TikTok ad campaigns, including video ads, sponsored hashtag challenges, branded effects, and influencer partnerships.
How do I track the performance of my TikTok ad campaigns with UTMs?
Replug automatically tracks the performance of the shortened URLs with UTMs. You can log in to your Replug account to access analytics and track metrics like clicks, conversions, and engagement for your TikTok ad campaigns.
Does Replug provide real-time analytics for TikTok ad campaigns?
Yes, Replug offers real-time analytics, allowing you to monitor the performance of your TikTok ad campaigns as they unfold. You can track clicks, conversions, and other engagement metrics in real-time to make timely adjustments and optimizations.
You’re sending hundreds of emails on a daily basis, getting good open rates, still the conversion rate is less than your expectations. What could be the problem?
The problem is that you don’t know
Which email campaigns are doing the most for your brand?
How do different audience segments respond to your emails?
What is the bounce rate of your email campaigns?
Which emails are getting the highest click-through rate?
Which specific ad or link on a webpage is driving traffic?
Which marketing campaigns are working and which ones aren’t?
But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. The solution?
Add email UTM parameters to your links. They help you keep track of who’s clicking, where they’re coming from, and what’s working best.
If you don’t know “What’s a UTM parameter?” They are special codes you can add to the end of URLs to track visitors.
So, if you’re serious about fine-tuning your email game and getting better results, it’s time to get along with UTMs.
What is a UTM in email?
In simple terms, a UTM parameter in email is a unique tag added to the links within your email marketing campaigns. These tags are added to the end of URLs, providing valuable information to brands about the source, medium, campaign, and more.
Why do i need to use UTM parameters in email campaigns?
The use of email UTM parameters in email campaigns is really important if you want to get in-depth insights. Take for example, if you add such parameters to your email links, you can accurately track metrics such as
UTM tracking offers several key benefits for email marketers as well as digital marketers.
Identify top-performing content
Let’s say you include a blog post link within your email campaign. UTM parameters can tell you which blog posts generate the most website traffic from your email blasts. This helps you understand what content resonates with your audience and prioritize future content creation efforts.
A/B testing optimization
UTM parameters are instrumental in A/B testing different elements of your email campaigns. You can create multiple email versions with different subject lines, calls to action, or content and use UTM tags to track which version performs better. This allows for data-driven decisions to improve your email marketing strategy.
Measure long-term impact
Know that email UTM tracking allows you to measure the long-term impact of your marketing campaigns. By analyzing UTM data over time, you can see how campaigns influence website traffic and conversions even after the initial email is sent. This helps you understand the full customer lifecycle and optimize campaigns for long-term success.
Measure ROI (Return on investment)
UTM parameters help you track the effectiveness of paid advertising campaigns. You can see which keywords or ad variations drive the most valuable traffic, allowing you to optimize your ad spend for maximum return.
Cross-channel measurement
Email UTM tracking is valuable for campaigns spanning multiple channels. You can track how users interact with your brand across different platforms, like clicking a social media ad and then subscribing to your email list.
Types of UTM parameters for email campaigns
There are so many email UTM parameters you can use to track your email campaigns, but some of them are particularly common:
utm_source
It showcases the exact source within the marketing channel. So, for an email campaign, you might use “newsletter” or a specific campaign name like “welcome-series.”
utm_medium
This one identifies the marketing channel that brought the visitor to your site. In the case of emails, this would always be “email.”
utm_campaign
This is where you can get specific about the exact campaign you’re running. You could use a name for a particular promotion “summer-sale” or a more general term for an ongoing campaign “customer-retention”.
utm_content
Used to differentiate between different versions of the same email, such as A/B testing variations.
utm_term
This parameter is typically used for tracking keywords in paid search campaigns but can also be repurposed for email campaigns to track specific elements like links or calls to action.
How do I set UTM parameters?
One can set up UTM parameters by using any free UTM builder tool. We would recommend Replug, as the tool offers a user-friendly interface where you can easily input your URL and customize the UTM parameters according to your campaign goals.
Fill in the details for the UTM parameters you want to use for a specific link:
Campaign name: Assign a unique name for this particular marketing campaign.
Medium: Specify the marketing channel (always “email” for emails in this case).
Source: Add in the exact source within the channel (e.g., “newsletter,” “welcome-series”).
Content (Optional): Use this to differentiate clicks between different versions of the same link within your email (e.g., button text or a unique identifier).
Term (Optional): Less common for emails, but useful for tracking paid search ads within emails.
Campaign ID: It could be a unique identifier or code associated with the campaign.
Once you’ve entered the desired information, click “Create” to generate your link with the UTM parameters embedded.
Replug – A complete link management solution
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
If you want more than just email UTM parameters. You can test out the Replug free trial to check out the complete range of advanced features including retargeting pixels, bio-links, link rotator, A/B testing, link analytics, QR codes, link shortening, and much more…
Here’s how you customize your UTM links with Replug.
After signing up to your Replug account go to the Dashboard.
In the “Create Quick Replug Link” section, Select your campaign
Afterward, add the link to which you want to customize.
In the same block, you’ll see an option labeled “+Add UTM” next to the URL field. Click on it.
A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to either choose a pre-saved UTM parameter set or create a new one.
If creating new UTM parameters, provide the necessary information such as source, medium, campaign, term, and content. Click “Apply” once completed.
Click the “Create” button, and Replug will automatically generate a shortened URL with the added UTM parameters.
Next, if you want to customize the UTM URL, you can do so by clicking the edit icon.
After any edits, simply copy the URL with the UTM parameters and click the “Update” button to save your changes.
And you’re done.
UTM tracking with Usermaven
Usermaven is a fantastic alternative to Google Analytics, providing detailed analytics for your website and app. It relies on UTM parameters to track important data like where your visitors are coming from, which pages they’re entering and exiting, and even their location down to the city level.
Sign up today and get a hold of the top
Channels / Sources
Mediums
Campaigns
Terms
Contents
In the top pages section, monitor both the entry and exit pages to understand your audience’s behavior effectively. Besides that, explore your customer base’s geographical distribution through detailed maps, countries, and city breakdowns. You can also see what devices and browsers most of your audience prefers.
Identify high-performing keywords effortlessly with Usermaven’s keyword tracking feature, displaying total clicks and impressions. Utilize this data to optimize email campaigns and content strategies for maximum traffic.
In easier words, by analyzing such parameters, you can make the most of Usermaven’s features to improve your campaigns and get better results.
Conclusion
Email UTM parameters are super useful for email marketers. They help you track how well your emails are doing, so you can make them even better.
But! Are you using UTMs in your email campaigns?
If you’re not using UTMs yet, it’s a great idea to start now. They’ll help you understand what’s working and what’s not, so you can get awesome results from your campaigns.
Faqs
What is the difference between UTM and GTM?
UTM tags are codes added to URLs for traffic source tracking, while GTM is a platform to manage various tracking codes on your website.
Is it illegal to track emails?
Tracking emails isn’t illegal, but regulations like GDPR limit data collection methods.
Which method is used to track emails?
UTM tracking is one of the most common ways to track email clicks and conversions.
What is email trace?
An email trace shows the path an email takes from sender to recipient, helping diagnose delivery issues.
What is the difference between UTM and GTM?
UTM tags are codes added to URLs for traffic source tracking, while GTM is a platform to manage various tracking codes on your website.
Is it illegal to track emails?
Tracking emails isn’t illegal, but regulations like GDPR limit data collection methods.
Which method is used to track emails?
UTM tracking is one of the most common ways to track email clicks and conversions.
What is email trace?
An email trace shows the path an email takes from sender to recipient, helping diagnose delivery issues.
In digital marketing, understanding where your website traffic originates is like having a compass in a vast sea—essential for navigating your way to success. This is where UTM parameters step in. These simple tags, added to your URLs, hold the key to unlocking valuable insights into the performance of your online campaigns, facilitating accurate traffic attribution.
In this guide, we’ll break down UTM parameters in straightforward terms. We’ll explain why they matter, how they’re structured, and, most importantly, how you can use them to track the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Whether you’re new to the digital marketing game or seeking to fine-tune your strategies, this guide will empower you to leverage UTM parameters effectively, helping you make informed decisions and steer your campaigns toward greater success.
What are UTM parameters?
UTM parameters, short for Urchin Tracking Module parameters, are tags added to the end of a URL to track and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They provide valuable information about the source, medium, campaign, term, and content associated with a particular link.
Here’s a breakdown of the key components of UTM parameters:
Source (utm_source): This parameter specifies the origin of your traffic, such as a search engine, social media platform, or website. For example, utm_source=google indicates traffic coming from Google.
Medium (utm_medium): This parameter defines the type of traffic, such as organic search, paid search, social media, email, or referral. For instance, utm_medium=cpc denotes traffic from a cost-per-click advertising campaign.
Campaign (utm_campaign): This parameter identifies the specific marketing campaign associated with the link. It allows you to differentiate between different campaigns or promotions. For instance, utm_campaign=spring_sale distinguishes traffic generated by a spring sale campaign.
Term (utm_term): This parameter is typically used for tracking keywords in paid search campaigns. It specifies the search term that triggered the ad click. For example, utm_term=running+shoes indicates the keyword associated with a paid search ad for running shoes.
Content (utm_content): This parameter is used to differentiate between different elements within the same campaign, such as different ad creatives or links within an email. It helps marketers identify which specific content is driving traffic. For example, utm_content=sidebar_ad identifies traffic from a sidebar advertisement.
What is traffic attribution?
Traffic attribution refers to identifying and assigning credit to the various channels, campaigns, or sources that contribute to website traffic or conversions. In other words, it involves determining where your website visitors are coming from and understanding the paths they take before completing a desired action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form.
The goal of traffic attribution is to attribute the appropriate value to each touchpoint along the customer journey, allowing marketers to understand the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and allocate resources accordingly.
By accurately attributing traffic, marketers can answer questions such as:
Which marketing channels or campaigns are driving the most traffic to my website?
What is the impact of each marketing touchpoint on conversions?
How do customers interact with multiple channels before converting?
How can I optimize my marketing strategy to improve performance and ROI?
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for marketing professionals & agencies.
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Benefits of using UTMs for traffic attribution:
Using UTM parameters for traffic attribution offers several benefits that empower marketers to make informed decisions and optimize their marketing strategies effectively:
Granular insight into traffic sources
UTM tags offer a microscopic view of where your website traffic originates, allowing you to pinpoint the exact sources and campaigns driving visitors to your site with unparalleled accuracy.
Strategic resource allocation
With UTM parameters, you can identify high-performing marketing channels and campaigns, enabling you to allocate your resources—whether time, budget, or creative efforts—strategically toward the channels that deliver the best results.
Quantifiable campaign impact
By associating unique parameters with each campaign, UTM parameters provide measurable data on the performance of your marketing efforts. This data-driven approach empowers you to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns objectively and refine your strategies accordingly.
Insightful user journey analysis
UTM parameters allow you to trace users’ paths to reach your website, shedding light on their journey and interactions with your brand. This deep understanding of user behavior informs personalized marketing tactics and website optimizations, enhancing the overall user experience.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
How to use UTM parameters for traffic attribution?
Using UTM parameters for traffic attribution involves a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Identify your campaigns
Determine the marketing campaigns or initiatives you want to track. This could include email newsletters, social media posts, PPC ads, or any other promotional efforts.
Step 2: Create unique UTM parameters
Generate UTM parameters for each campaign using Replug’s UTM Builder or any other UTM parameter generator tool. The key parameters include:
utm_source: The referrer of the traffic (e.g., google, newsletter, facebook).
utm_medium: The marketing medium (e.g., cpc, email, social).
utm_campaign: The specific campaign name or identifier.
Additional optional parameters:
utm_term: Keywords associated with the ad or link.
utm_content: Differentiate between variations of the same ad or link.
Step 3: Append UTM parameters to URLs
Once you have created the UTM parameters, append them to the URLs of your marketing assets. For example:
Monitor your website analytics platform (e.g., Usermaven) to track incoming traffic with UTM parameters. You can view the data under the “Attribution” or “Acquisition” sections, depending on your analytics tool.
Step 5: Analyze and interpret data
Use the data collected through UTM parameters to analyze the performance of your campaigns. Identify which campaigns, channels, or sources drive the most traffic and conversions. Evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions to optimize future campaigns.
Step 6: Refine and iterate
Continuously refine your UTM parameters and tracking methods based on the insights gained. Test different variations, channels, or messaging to improve performance and maximize ROI over time.
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for marketing professionals & agencies.
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Develop a standardized naming convention for UTM parameters to maintain consistency and clarity across all campaigns. Consistent naming conventions make it easier to track and analyze data accurately.
2. Include relevant information:
Ensure that UTM parameters contain relevant information about the source, medium, campaign, and content. This information should accurately reflect the purpose and context of each campaign or promotional activity.
3. Be selective with parameters:
Avoid using unnecessary UTM parameters that don’t contribute meaningful insights. Focus on the essential parameters that help you track and analyze the performance of your campaigns effectively.
4. Use URL shorteners:
Long URLs with UTM parameters can be cumbersome and visually unappealing. Consider using a URL shortener to create cleaner, more user-friendly links while still incorporating UTM parameters for tracking purposes.
5. Regularly review and update:
Periodically review your UTM parameters to ensure they align with your current marketing objectives and strategies. Update or refine them as needed to maintain relevance and accuracy over time.
6. Educate your team:
Provide training and guidance to your marketing team on the proper use of UTM parameters. Ensure everyone understands the importance of consistent implementation and follows best practices to avoid errors or inconsistencies.
7. Document your UTM strategy:
Keep detailed documentation of your UTM parameters, including naming conventions, usage guidelines, and tracking procedures. This documentation serves as a reference for your team and helps maintain consistency across campaigns.
8. Test and validate:
Before launching campaigns with UTM parameters, test and validate your tracking setup to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Verify that data is being captured accurately in your analytics platform and troubleshoot any issues before going live.
For marketers seeking a streamlined solution to manage UTM parameters and track link performance, Replug offers a robust suite of tools designed to simplify the process.
With Replug’s free UTM builder, you can effortlessly create custom UTM parameters for your marketing campaigns. Whether you’re running social media ads, email campaigns, or affiliate promotions, Replug’s intuitive interface allows you to generate UTM tags with ease.
But that’s not all. Replug goes beyond UTM parameters, offering comprehensive link management capabilities to optimize your marketing efforts further. With Replug, you can:
Create branded short links: Enhance your brand’s visibility and trust by creating custom short links that reflect your brand identity.
Track clicks and conversions: Gain real-time insights into link performance with advanced analytics. Monitor clicks, conversions, and engagement metrics to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.
Retarget website visitors: Maximize the impact of your campaigns by retargeting website visitors with custom CTAs and overlays. Replug’s retargeting feature lets you capture leads, drive conversions, and maximize ROI.
Whether you’re a solopreneur, small business owner, or marketing agency, Replug empowers you to optimize your marketing efforts and drive results.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
Why are UTM parameters important for traffic attribution?
UTM parameters are crucial for accurately attributing website traffic to specific marketing campaigns or channels. They provide detailed insights into the effectiveness of various marketing efforts, helping marketers identify which campaigns drive the most traffic and conversions. By analyzing UTM data, marketers can make informed decisions about resource allocation, campaign optimization, and overall marketing strategy.
How do I create UTM parameters for my marketing campaigns?
You can create UTM parameters using Google’s Campaign URL Builder tool or any other UTM parameter generator. Simply enter the relevant information for each parameter (e.g., source, medium, campaign) and the tool will generate a unique URL with the appended UTM parameters.
What are the best practices for using UTM parameters?
Best practices for using UTM parameters include establishing consistent naming conventions, tracking campaigns across all platforms, avoiding common mistakes like typos and inconsistent capitalization, regularly reviewing and analyzing data, and educating your team on proper implementation.
How do UTM parameters help in tracking traffic sources?
UTM parameters help track traffic sources by providing detailed information about the origin of website traffic. By appending UTM parameters to your URLs, you can identify which campaigns, channels, or sources are driving visitors to your website, allowing for accurate attribution and analysis.
Marketing can be complex, but measuring its effectiveness doesn’t have to be. UTM codes are your answer to understanding what’s working and what’s not in your campaigns and, more importantly, to pinpoint which campaigns are doing the heavy lifting. This is where UTM codes come into play, offering a simple solution to the challenge of marketing success. So, let’s break it down:
What are UTM codes?
UTM codes are essentially strings of text that are added to URLs. These strings contain specific parameters that provide invaluable information about the source, medium, and campaign that led a user to a particular webpage. In other words, UTM codes act as data markers, offering a clearer view of the user’s journey, from the initial interaction to conversion.
Here’s a breakdown of the key UTM parameters:
Source:
This parameter specifies the origin of your traffic. Is it coming from an email, a social media platform, a search engine, or another source? Accurately tagging the source helps you identify which channels are driving the most traffic.
Medium:
The medium parameter describes the type of marketing medium used. It could be an email, social, organic search, paid search, or any other medium relevant to your campaign. Categorizing your traffic in this way allows you to determine which marketing avenues are the most effective.
Campaign:
The campaign parameter enables you to track a specific marketing campaign or initiative. Whether it’s a product launch, a seasonal promotion, or an event, this parameter helps you differentiate between different efforts within the same source and medium.
Term (optional):
This parameter is often used for paid search campaigns to identify the keywords that triggered the ad click. It’s an optional parameter and is mainly relevant to search engine advertising.
Content (optional):
Another optional parameter, content can be used to differentiate between different elements of your marketing efforts, such as different ad variations or links within the same campaign.
Understand with an example:
Let’s create an example URL with UTM parameters added.
Original URL:
https://www.example.com/product-page
Now, let’s add UTM parameters to track the source, medium, and campaign:
Source: Let’s say the traffic is coming from an email newsletter.
Medium: The marketing medium is email.
Campaign: It’s part of a campaign called “SummerPromo.”
With these UTM parameters added, you can track that anyone who clicks on this URL is coming from the source “email,” through the medium “email,” and as part of the “SummerPromo” campaign. This allows you to monitor the performance of this specific link in your marketing efforts.
How to create UTM tracking codes?
Creating UTM tracking codes is a pivotal part of monitoring the performance of your online marketing efforts. While it’s technically possible to manually create these codes by adding specific strings to your URLs, it can be complex and time-consuming, especially when you have to manage them at scale. This is where UTM code generators come into play, making the process much more efficient.
Google Analytics URL builder:
Google Analytics offers a straightforward UTM code generator, which has become the go-to choice for many businesses. Here’s how you can use it:
Fill in the required fields for your campaign: the URL of the landing page, source, medium, campaign, term (optional), and content (optional).
Click “Generate URL,” and Google will create the UTM-coded URL for you.
Replug – A convenient alternative:
Replug is another powerful tool for UTM code creation, and here’s why it’s worth considering:
Automatic UTM code generation:
Replug automates the UTM code creation process, saving you the trouble of manual entry. This means you can gather valuable analytics data as soon as your campaign goes live.
Shortened and customized URLs:
UTM-coded URLs can become quite lengthy, which can be a problem on platforms like Instagram or when users need to copy and paste links. Replug shortens and customizes these URLs, making them more elegant and user-friendly.
For example, a long UTM-coded URL might look like this:
While UTM codes are a solid foundation for analyzing marketing performance, they have limitations. Replug offers an enhanced solution called Campaigns, providing in-depth insights and a more hassle-free tracking experience, especially when managing multiple campaigns across various marketing channels.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
Elevate Your Brand Performance with Replug
UTM codes are a fundamental tool for tracking the success of your brand campaigns, links, and platforms. They provide valuable data, but those unwieldy, lengthy links can be a drawback. As your marketing endeavors become more intricate, it’s essential to adopt a system that offers both enhanced power and efficiency.
This is where Replug steps in as the ideal solution. Replug not only helps you track traffic effectively, even in the most complex marketing landscapes, but it also simplifies the process. With Replug, you obtain concise, stylish links that seamlessly fit into any context. Moreover, it offers an analytics tool that’s user-friendly and excels at managing multichannel marketing campaigns.
In essence, Replug empowers you to elevate your brand’s performance, making tracking and managing your marketing efforts a smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more successful process.
UTM codes are tracking parameters added to URLs to measure marketing performance. They’re vital for data-driven decision-making and proving campaign success.
How do I create UTM codes for my campaigns?
You can create UTM codes manually, but it’s easier and error-free to use online UTM code generators like Google’s Campaign URL Builder or Replug’s UTM code builder.
What is Replug, and how does it work for link tracking?
Bitly is a URL shortening and link management platform that not only shortens links for sharing but also provides link tracking and analytics to measure click-through rates and engagement.
Creating UTM links is a straightforward process that helps you track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and understand where your website traffic is coming from. UTM parameters are tags added to your URLs to provide more information about the source of a click.
Here’s a quick and effective approach to creating UTM links:
Understand UTM Parameters:
UTM parameters are tags added to the end of a URL to provide more information about the source of a click. They are essential for tracking and analyzing the performance of your campaigns, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your marketing strategies.
Here’s a breakdown of the key UTM parameters and their purposes:
utm_source:
Purpose: Identifies the specific source of the traffic, such as a website, platform, or publication.
Replug is a feature-rich link management platform that excels in simplifying UTM tracking while offering robust link management capabilities. Its versatility, customization options, and detailed analytics make it a compelling choice for marketers.
Additionally, Replug provides URL shortening, efficient campaign organization, and seamless integration possibilities, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Here’s how to add UTM codes to your URLs using Replug:
Step 1: Sign in or create an account
Begin by signing in to your Replug account. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily create a free account.
Step 2: Select your campaign
Once you’re logged in, click “Select your campaign” on the main dashboard or create a new campaign.
Step 3: Paste the URL
Locate the “URL to shorten” section below “Select your campaign”, and paste the URL to which you want to add UTM parameters.
Step 4: Add UTM tag
At the end of the “URL to shorten” section, you’ll see an “add UTM” tag. Click on it to proceed.
You have the option to either “select from saved UTM parameters” if you’ve used these before or “create a new UTM parameter.”
Step 6: Fill in UTM parameters
If you decide to create a new UTM parameter, provide the necessary information such as the source, medium, campaign, term, and content. Once you’ve completed this, click “Apply.”
Step 7: Create the URL
Click the “create” button, and Replug will automatically generate a shortened URL with the added UTM parameters.
Step 8: Edit UTM code (optional)
If you wish to further customize the URL, you can do so by clicking the edit icon.
After any edits (if necessary), simply copy the URL with the UTM parameters and click the “update” button to save your changes.
Step 10: Access your URL
To access and manage the URL you’ve just created with UTM parameters, navigate to the “Manage” section in Replug and click on “Replug links.”
By following these steps, you can harness the full potential of Replug to seamlessly integrate UTM parameters into your URLs, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of your marketing campaign tracking and analysis.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
UTM parameters are tags added to URLs to track the source and performance of your marketing links. They’re essential for understanding where your traffic comes from and how effective your campaigns are.
How do I create UTM links for my marketing campaigns?
Use an online UTM builder like Replug or manually add UTM parameters to your URLs to create UTM links.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when using UTM parameters?
Avoid using spaces or special characters in your UTM parameters, and make sure they are applied consistently. Be careful with sensitive data like user information in UTM parameters.
One of the main objectives of Replug is to crunch raw data and present it in a meaningful form. This data is helpful to our clients in determining the nature, especially demographics of their website visitors. Analyzing the data, you can then customize your marketing campaigns to yield significantly better results. Let’s learn how.
UTM parameters are customizable pieces of text which allow analytics software such as Google Analytics to track campaign traffic. Adding them to the end of a URL can help you figure out which email campaign brought in the most web traffic or whether a certain call-to-action in that email generated more revenue.
The UTM parameter will help you determine where your website users are coming from along with which of your campaigns are performing better than others. This information will give you in-depth insights as to which specific campaigns, channels, buttons you should replicate for more traffic.
How to Add UTM parameter in Replug
There are two ways of adding UTM parameters in the links you share.
1. Directly from the Dashboard
Login to your Replug account. On the main dashboard where you create quick links, you will see a “+Add UTM” parameter.
Here you can directly set the UTM parameter for a link you are about to shorten. Put the link and click “+Add UTM” button. The following dialog box will appear.
Fill in all the sections with appropriate data e.g.
Campaign name: Set a separate name for each marketing campaign in Replug
Medium: Shows the nature of the link e.g. CPC, email, etc.
Source: Specifies where from exactly the content is generated e.g. Google, Facebook, etc
Term: Identifies search terms
Content: Identifies what specifically was clicked to bring the user to the site, such as a banner ad or a text link
After setting the parameters click to create to generate your branded link with UTM parameters.
2. Creating UTM from side Menu
Click on the option in the top right corner of your screen. You will see “UTM Tracking” in the drop-down menu. Click on it to create your UTM preset as shown below.
This way you can save time and instantly attach appropriate parameters with a specific campaign. You can then login to your Google Analytics accounts and watch the data fillup right in front of your eyes see by selecting the real-time tab.
You can further navigate to Aquisition->Traffic->source/ medium to see all the UTM tags you created and the detailed traffic insights they are generating.
