How to Know When a Form was Submitted WordPress: Easy Tracking Tips

Knowing when a form was submitted in WordPress is crucial. It helps track user interactions.

Tracking form submissions can improve your website’s efficiency. You’ll know which forms are effective and which need improvement. This is essential for businesses, bloggers, and anyone using forms on their site. With WordPress, there are several ways to monitor form submissions.

This guide will explore these methods, ensuring you don’t miss any important data. Stay tuned to learn easy and effective ways to track form submissions in WordPress. Your site will benefit from this knowledge, making it more user-friendly and efficient.

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Setting Up Form Tracking

Tracking when a form is submitted in WordPress is crucial for understanding user interactions. By setting up form tracking, you can gather valuable data. This helps improve user experience and optimize your website’s performance. Let’s dive into the steps involved in setting up form tracking.

Choosing The Right Plugin

First, you need a reliable plugin. There are many plugins available for form tracking in WordPress. Some popular choices include WPForms, Gravity Forms, and Contact Form 7. Consider your needs and the features each plugin offers. Look for user reviews and ratings to make an informed decision.

Installation And Activation

After selecting a plugin, download it from the WordPress repository. Go to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to the ‘Plugins’ section. Click on ‘Add New’ and upload the plugin file. Once uploaded, click on ‘Install Now’.

When the installation is complete, activate the plugin. You will usually find an ‘Activate’ button right after installation. Click it to enable the plugin on your site. The plugin is now ready for configuration.

Using Google Analytics

Knowing when a form was submitted on your WordPress site can provide valuable insights. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can help you track this data. By setting up goals and connecting WordPress to Google Analytics, you can see when users submit forms. This guide will walk you through the steps.

Creating Goals

To begin tracking form submissions, you need to create goals in Google Analytics. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Navigate to the Admin section.
3. Select the View you want to track.
4. Under the Goals section, click on + New Goal.
5. Name your goal, such as Form Submission.
6. Choose the Destination option and click Continue.
7. Enter the URL of the thank you page users see after submitting the form.
8. Click Save to create your goal.

Now, Google Analytics will track form submissions as goal completions.

Connecting WordPress To Google Analytics

To fully track form submissions, you need to connect your WordPress site to Google Analytics. Follow these steps:

1. Install the Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. Popular options include MonsterInsights and GA Google Analytics.
2. Activate the plugin and go to its settings page.
3. Connect your Google Analytics account by following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once connected, navigate to the Tracking section.
5. Enable form submission tracking by configuring the plugin’s settings. This may include setting up event tracking or custom dimensions.

With these steps, your WordPress site will be integrated with Google Analytics. You can now track when forms are submitted and view this data in your Google Analytics account.

Tracking With Contact Form Plugins

Tracking form submissions on WordPress can help improve your site’s performance. One effective way is by using contact form plugins. These plugins not only create forms but also track submissions.

Popular Plugins To Use

Several plugins can track form submissions. Popular choices include WPForms, Contact Form 7, and Gravity Forms. These plugins are user-friendly and offer robust tracking features.

WPForms is easy to use and has many features. Contact Form 7 is a free option with good tracking capabilities. Gravity Forms offers advanced features for tracking and managing forms.

Step-by-step Setup

Setting up these plugins is simple. Follow these steps to start tracking form submissions.

First, install and activate your chosen plugin from the WordPress plugin directory. Next, create a new form using the plugin’s interface.

For WPForms, navigate to the WPForms tab and click ‘Add New.’ Choose a template or start from scratch. Add the necessary fields and save your form.

To enable tracking, go to the ‘Settings’ tab. Look for the ‘Notifications’ section. Ensure that email notifications are enabled. This will send you an email each time a form is submitted.

In Contact Form 7, create a new form by going to the Contact tab. Click ‘Add New’ and customize your form fields. Save your form and copy the shortcode.

Paste the shortcode into any post or page. To track submissions, enable email notifications under the ‘Mail’ tab. This will notify you of each submission.

With Gravity Forms, start by creating a new form under the Forms tab. Add the required fields and save your form. Go to the ‘Notifications’ tab to set up email notifications.

By following these steps, you can effectively track form submissions. This information can help you understand user behavior and improve your site.

Custom Code Solutions

Custom Code Solutions can be a powerful tool for understanding when a form was submitted in WordPress. By using custom code, you can track form submissions and gather important data. This can help you improve user experience and ensure your forms are functioning correctly.

Adding Javascript To Track Submissions

JavaScript can be added to your WordPress site to track form submissions. This method is quick and can provide instant feedback on submissions.

• Add a script tag in the header or footer of your theme.
• Use the addEventListener method to detect when a form is submitted.
• Log the submission time to the console or send it to a backend script.

Here is an example:

Using Php For Backend Tracking

PHP can be used for backend tracking of form submissions. This method ensures submissions are logged server-side.

1. Create a function to handle form submissions.
2. Use the add_action hook to trigger the function.
3. Log the submission time to the database or a log file.

Here is an example:

function track_form_submission() {
  if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
    $current_time = current_time('mysql');
    global $wpdb;
    $wpdb->insert(
      $wpdb->prefix . 'form_submissions',
      array(
        'form_id' => 1,
        'submitted_at' => $current_time,
      )
    );
  }
}
add_action('admin_post_nopriv_form_submission', 'track_form_submission');
add_action('admin_post_form_submission', 'track_form_submission');

Both JavaScript and PHP solutions are effective for tracking form submissions. Choose the method that best suits your needs and technical skills.

Monitoring Submissions

Tracking form submissions in WordPress is crucial for understanding user interactions. Knowing when a form was submitted helps you measure engagement. It also helps you track conversions and gather valuable data. This section will guide you through monitoring form submissions effectively.

Viewing Reports In WordPress

WordPress plugins can help you track form submissions. Popular plugins include WPForms and Contact Form 7. These plugins offer built-in reporting features. You can view submission reports from your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to monitor form activity in real-time.

To view reports, navigate to the plugin settings. Look for a section named “Entries” or “Submissions.” Here, you will see a list of all submitted forms. The list includes submission dates and times. This helps you understand user behavior patterns.

Analyzing Data In Google Analytics

Google Analytics is another tool for monitoring form submissions. First, you need to set up event tracking. This allows Google Analytics to record form submissions as events. You can then analyze this data for deeper insights.

To set up event tracking, use Google Tag Manager. Create a new tag for your form submission event. Configure the trigger to fire on form submissions. Once set up, Google Analytics will start recording these events. You can view them under the “Events” section in Google Analytics.

Analyzing this data helps you understand user interactions with your forms. You can see which forms get the most submissions. This helps you optimize your forms for better performance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering issues with form submission tracking in WordPress can be frustrating. It hinders your ability to gather important data. This guide will help you troubleshoot common problems. It covers form tracking not working and fixing plugin conflicts.

Form Tracking Not Working

One common issue is form tracking not working. Ensure your tracking code is correct. Double-check the placement of the code. It should be in the right part of your website. Verify that you have enabled tracking in your form plugin settings.

Sometimes, browser settings can block tracking. Check if your browser blocks cookies or scripts. Try using a different browser. If tracking works in another browser, you have found the issue.

Fixing Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts are another common problem. Incompatible plugins can cause tracking issues. Deactivate all plugins except the form plugin. Check if the form tracking works now. If it does, reactivate each plugin one by one. Find the plugin causing the conflict.

Sometimes, plugin updates fix conflicts. Ensure all your plugins are up to date. If a conflict persists, contact the plugin support team. They can provide a solution or workaround.

Best Practices

Best practices are essential to ensure you accurately track form submissions in WordPress. They help you maintain accurate data and review submissions regularly. Implementing these practices can save you time and effort in the long run.

Maintaining Accurate Data

Keep your submission data accurate and up-to-date. Use plugins that log submission dates and times. This helps you know exactly when a form was submitted. Always check that your plugins are updated to avoid any issues. Regular updates ensure the accuracy of your data.

Regularly Reviewing Submission Data

Review your submission data on a regular basis. Set a schedule to check your form submissions weekly or monthly. This helps you spot any inconsistencies or errors. Regular reviews also help you understand user behavior. You can see which forms are popular and which need improvement.

Credit: jetformbuilder.com

Credit: ninjaforms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Check If A Form Was Submitted In WordPress?

You can use plugins like WPForms or Contact Form 7. They have submission tracking features.

What Plugins Track Form Submissions In WordPress?

WPForms, Contact Form 7, and Gravity Forms all track form submissions. They are reliable.

Can I See Form Submission Dates In WordPress?

Yes, plugins like WPForms and Contact Form 7 show submission dates. Check their entries section.

Is There A Way To Get Email Notifications For Form Submissions?

Yes, most form plugins send email notifications. You can set this up in the plugin settings.

How Do I View Form Submission Data In WordPress?

Form plugins save submission data. You can view it in the plugin’s entries or submissions section.

Can I Export Form Submissions From WordPress?

Yes, most form plugins allow you to export submissions. Usually in CSV or Excel format.

What Happens To Form Submissions In WordPress?

Form submissions are stored in your WordPress database. You can view, edit, or export them.

Do All Form Plugins Store Submissions?

Not all. Some may just email the data. Check your plugin’s features to be sure.

How Do I Secure Form Submissions In WordPress?

Use secure plugins and enable CAPTCHA. Also, ensure your site uses HTTPS.

Can I Track Form Submissions With Google Analytics?

Yes, you can. Set up Event Tracking in Google Analytics to monitor form submissions.

Conclusion

Knowing when a WordPress form is submitted helps track user actions. Use plugins or custom code to get notifications. This ensures you never miss important form submissions. Stay organized and responsive. Accurate tracking improves user interaction and satisfaction. By monitoring form submissions, you can enhance your site’s performance.

Keep your WordPress site efficient and user-friendly. Regularly check submissions to maintain high service standards. Engage with your audience promptly. Make data-driven decisions based on form activity. Overall, it boosts your site’s effectiveness.