Event Tracking: Difference between revisions

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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Reports]] > [[Site Tracking]] > Event Tracking
'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Automation]] > [[Triggers]] > Event Tracking


== An Overview of Event Tracking ==
== Using Event Tracking to Trigger Automations ==


Event Tracking is an advanced feature within ActiveCampaign that allows businesses to collect data on various contact behaviors on their websites or apps. This feature empowers users to create customized events for tracking specific activities, such as video views, button clicks, and orders, among others. By capturing this event data, companies can significantly enhance their marketing and sales strategies, personalize campaigns, and trigger automations based on user interactions.
Event tracking in ActiveCampaign is an essential feature that allows you to collect and utilize specific events that a contact takes on your website or application. These events can range from signups and transactions to cancellations and other pivotal customer actions. By leveraging these insights, businesses can create tailored sales and marketing automations that respond proactively to customer behavior. This guide covers how you can use event tracking to trigger powerful automations in your ActiveCampaign account.


Event Tracking is distinct from Site Tracking, another feature that records page visits based on contacts navigating through a website. While Site Tracking requires a simple code snippet to monitor webpage activities, Event Tracking offers the flexibility to define and track virtually any user behavior by implementing custom code.
== How to Access Event Tracking ==
To set up event tracking, you need to access the automation builder within your ActiveCampaign account. Follow these steps:


== How to Access This Feature ==
1. Navigate to the Automation section in your ActiveCampaign dashboard.
2. Choose the automation you want to modify or create a new one.
3. Look for the option to add a trigger by clicking on “Add Start Trigger.”


To access Event Tracking within your ActiveCampaign account, follow these steps:
This process leads you to the necessary configurations for setting up event tracking.
 
1. Navigate to the '''Website''' menu.
2. Select '''Site Tracking''' from the dropdown options.
3. Scroll down to find the '''Event Tracking''' section.


== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
To create a trigger using event tracking, follow these detailed steps:


To effectively set up and utilize Event Tracking, adhere to the following steps:
1. **Add a Start Trigger**: Once in the automation editor, select “Add Start Trigger.
 
 
=== 1. Turning on Event Tracking ===
  ![Event is recorded trigger in select a trigger modal](https://help.activecampaign.com/system/photos/360078964759/_DSC5836_Sarah.jpg)
 
1. From the Site Tracking page, locate the '''Event Tracking''' section.
2. Adjust the '''Status''' toggle to the '''On''' position.


Once activated, an '''Event Key''' will appear in the Event Key field. You'll need this key to communicate with the ActiveCampaign API when sending event data captured from your site.
2. **Select Event Trigger**: In the trigger selection modal, choose “Event is recorded” from the list of available options.  


=== 2. Setting Up Event Tracking ===
3. **Choose Your Event**: A new dropdown will appear where you can select the specific event you want to use to initiate the automation.


Event Tracking requires some programming knowledge to implement successfully. Follow these guidelines:
4. **Set Execution Frequency**: Determine whether the event should trigger the automation once or multiple times. After making your selection, click on the “Add Start” button to confirm.


1. Use a programming language of your choice to capture the following data points whenever an event is triggered:
5. **Advanced Options (Optional)**: If desired, you can further segment contacts based on multiple conditions. This allows you to ensure that only contacts meeting both trigger and event specifications can enter your automation.
  - '''Who''': The contact's email address who performed the event.
  - '''What''': The event you defined.
  - '''Value''': The value assigned to the event.
  - '''When''': The timestamp of when the event occurred.


2. Utilize the ActiveCampaign open API to send event information to the URL `http://trackcmp.net/event` with the following parameters:
    - For example, if you want the automation to start only when a contact is subscribed to your list and has signed up for a service, configure this in the **Advanced Options** by selecting the appropriate conditions.
  - Your '''Event Key'''.
  - The captured data points outlined above.


The API documentation provides details on how to authenticate and send requests correctly.
6. **Segmentation Based on Event Value**: You can also implement conditions based on the event value passed through the event API. Define whether the event occurred or did not occur using the segment options.


=== 3. Testing and Validating Events ===
    ![Event condition Operator options Example](https://help.activecampaign.com/system/photos/16158180232860/Event%20condition%20Operator%20options%20Example.jpg)


After implementing the code, it's vital to verify that events are captured and displayed correctly in your ActiveCampaign account. Navigate to the '''Website''' > '''Site Tracking''' page to view recorded events in the system.
7. **Save Your Configuration**: After setting everything up, make sure to click on the **Save** button to preserve your configured settings.


== Configuration Options and Settings ==
== Configuration Options and Settings ==
When configuring event tracking, keep an eye on the following important options:


When configuring Event Tracking, you'll encounter several critical components:
- **Event Condition**: This allows you to decide what event specifically triggers the automation.
- **Execution Frequency**: Determine if the trigger fires once or multiple times based on the event occurrence.
- **Advanced Options**: Use this to add more complexity to your triggers by segmenting contacts based on specific conditions that involve other triggers.


- **Event Key**: This key is essential for transmitting event data to ActiveCampaign. It is displayed upon enabling Event Tracking in your account.
== Best Practices and Tips ==
 
To maximize the effectiveness of your Event Tracking automations, consider the following best practices:
- **POST Requests**: Utilize HTTP POST requests in your chosen programming language to send event data to the ActiveCampaign endpoint.
 
- **API Integration**: For developers, using an API wrapper (like PHP API wrapper) can simplify sending event tracking data by handling connections and calls efficiently.


== Best Practices and Tips ==
1. **Identify Key Events**: Focus on tracking events that have significant implications for your business, such as subscription upgrades or downgrades.


- Start by defining clear objectives for what behaviors you wish to track. This clarity will guide your event definitions.
2. **Clean and Accurate Tracking**: Ensure that events are recorded accurately to avoid false triggers. Misleading data can lead to ineffective marketing communications.
 
- Review your website or app's architecture to determine where logical event tracking points should be placed—such as on buttons or key action areas.


- Regularly monitor and analyze the event data collected to ensure you're gaining insights that align with your business goals.
3. **Use Segmentation Wisely**: Take advantage of segmentation options within triggers to refine your audience and ensure that the right contacts receive the right messages.


- Consider using Event Tracking alongside Lead Scoring to gain deeper insights into user engagement and prioritize interactions.
4. **Regularly Update Triggers**: Review and update your event triggers periodically to align with updated business goals and customer journeys.


== Common Use Cases with Examples ==
== Common Use Cases ==
Event tracking is versatile and can support various marketing and sales strategies. Here are a few common scenarios:


Event Tracking is versatile and can be applied in numerous scenarios, such as:
1. **Sales Automation for Signups**: Trigger an automation to welcome new subscribers immediately after they sign up for your service.


- Tracking how many users click on a specific '''Call to Action''' button on a landing page, enabling you to measure the effectiveness of your calls to action.
2. **Reaction to Downgrades**: Activate a series of follow-up emails when a contact downgrades their subscription, nudging them towards reconsidering their decision.


- Monitoring video engagement by tracking how often a video is played to completion or how far users watch before leaving the page.
3. **Customer Reengagement**: Send automated reengagement emails to contacts who have not interacted with your content for a specific period following an event.


- Capturing data on e-commerce actions, such as cart additions and checkouts, which can help in optimizing sales funnels.
4. **Monitoring Customer Satisfaction**: Use events tied to feedback forms or surveys to send automated thank-you emails or further engagement prompts.


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
If you encounter issues with event tracking not functioning as expected, consider the following:


If you suspect that Event Tracking is not functioning as intended, consider the following steps:
- Verify that events are correctly set up in your application or website.
 
- Check that the appropriate automation has been activated and published.
- Ensure that the '''Event Tracking''' toggle is set to '''On''' within your ActiveCampaign account.
- Ensure that contacts meet both the event condition and any segmentation criteria you've established.
 
- Verify that the API requests are properly formatted and sent to the correct ActiveCampaign endpoint.
 
- Check if the Event Key being used in your code matches the key shown in your account settings.
 
- Confirm that your coding correctly captures the required data points (who, what, value, when).
 
== Related Features ==
 
For users looking to expand their tracking capabilities, it's advisable to explore the following features:
 
- [[Site Tracking]]: A simpler way to track user visits on your website.
 
- [[Automation]]: Utilize event data to trigger automated processes tailored to user behavior.


== FAQ ==
== FAQ ==
=== What types of events can I track? ===
You can track a variety of events, including signups, purchases, downgrades, cancellations, and more.


=== 1. Is Event Tracking available on all ActiveCampaign plans? ===
=== How many times can an event trigger an automation? ===
No, Event Tracking is available only on Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans.
You can configure the trigger to activate either once or multiple times, depending on your specified requirements.
 
=== 2. Do I need programming knowledge to set up Event Tracking? ===
Yes, familiarity with a programming language is required to implement Event Tracking on your site.


=== 3. What types of events can I track using Event Tracking? ===
=== Can I segment users based on event history? ===
You can track virtually any behavior you define, such as button clicks, video views, and purchases.
Yes, you can segment users based on the specific event occurrences or conditions nested within the trigger.


=== 4. What happens if I send an event for a contact that doesn’t exist in ActiveCampaign? ===
=== Is event tracking available on all ActiveCampaign plans? ===
If the contact does not exist, the event will not be recorded, and no contact record will be created.
Event tracking is available for Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plan types.


=== 5. Can multiple instances of the same event be recorded? ===
=== What should I do if my event doesn’t seem to trigger automations? ===
Yes, if multiple events with the same data are sent, they will appear as a single event in the Activity Stream.
Double-check your event setup in your application and ensure that the automation is live and active.


=== 6. How can I ensure my events are tracked in real-time? ===
=== How can I view recorded events? ===
Monitor the data output on your ActiveCampaign account under the Site Tracking section after implementing the tracking code.
You can view recorded events through the Event Tracking reports available in your ActiveCampaign account.


=== 7. Where can I get help setting up Event Tracking? ===
Please refer to the additional resources for more in-depth information on configuring and utilizing event tracking effectively in ActiveCampaign.
Consider working with someone on your team who has programming skills or hire an ActiveCampaign Certified Consultant for assistance.
```
```

Latest revision as of 20:46, 3 November 2025

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Automation > Triggers > Event Tracking

Using Event Tracking to Trigger Automations[edit | edit source]

Event tracking in ActiveCampaign is an essential feature that allows you to collect and utilize specific events that a contact takes on your website or application. These events can range from signups and transactions to cancellations and other pivotal customer actions. By leveraging these insights, businesses can create tailored sales and marketing automations that respond proactively to customer behavior. This guide covers how you can use event tracking to trigger powerful automations in your ActiveCampaign account.

How to Access Event Tracking[edit | edit source]

To set up event tracking, you need to access the automation builder within your ActiveCampaign account. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Automation section in your ActiveCampaign dashboard. 2. Choose the automation you want to modify or create a new one. 3. Look for the option to add a trigger by clicking on “Add Start Trigger.”

This process leads you to the necessary configurations for setting up event tracking.

Step-by-Step Instructions[edit | edit source]

To create a trigger using event tracking, follow these detailed steps:

1. **Add a Start Trigger**: Once in the automation editor, select “Add Start Trigger.”

  ![Event is recorded trigger in select a trigger modal](https://help.activecampaign.com/system/photos/360078964759/_DSC5836_Sarah.jpg)

2. **Select Event Trigger**: In the trigger selection modal, choose “Event is recorded” from the list of available options.

3. **Choose Your Event**: A new dropdown will appear where you can select the specific event you want to use to initiate the automation.

4. **Set Execution Frequency**: Determine whether the event should trigger the automation once or multiple times. After making your selection, click on the “Add Start” button to confirm.

5. **Advanced Options (Optional)**: If desired, you can further segment contacts based on multiple conditions. This allows you to ensure that only contacts meeting both trigger and event specifications can enter your automation.

   - For example, if you want the automation to start only when a contact is subscribed to your list and has signed up for a service, configure this in the **Advanced Options** by selecting the appropriate conditions.

6. **Segmentation Based on Event Value**: You can also implement conditions based on the event value passed through the event API. Define whether the event occurred or did not occur using the segment options.

   ![Event condition Operator options Example](https://help.activecampaign.com/system/photos/16158180232860/Event%20condition%20Operator%20options%20Example.jpg)

7. **Save Your Configuration**: After setting everything up, make sure to click on the **Save** button to preserve your configured settings.

Configuration Options and Settings[edit | edit source]

When configuring event tracking, keep an eye on the following important options:

- **Event Condition**: This allows you to decide what event specifically triggers the automation. - **Execution Frequency**: Determine if the trigger fires once or multiple times based on the event occurrence. - **Advanced Options**: Use this to add more complexity to your triggers by segmenting contacts based on specific conditions that involve other triggers.

Best Practices and Tips[edit | edit source]

To maximize the effectiveness of your Event Tracking automations, consider the following best practices:

1. **Identify Key Events**: Focus on tracking events that have significant implications for your business, such as subscription upgrades or downgrades.

2. **Clean and Accurate Tracking**: Ensure that events are recorded accurately to avoid false triggers. Misleading data can lead to ineffective marketing communications.

3. **Use Segmentation Wisely**: Take advantage of segmentation options within triggers to refine your audience and ensure that the right contacts receive the right messages.

4. **Regularly Update Triggers**: Review and update your event triggers periodically to align with updated business goals and customer journeys.

Common Use Cases[edit | edit source]

Event tracking is versatile and can support various marketing and sales strategies. Here are a few common scenarios:

1. **Sales Automation for Signups**: Trigger an automation to welcome new subscribers immediately after they sign up for your service.

2. **Reaction to Downgrades**: Activate a series of follow-up emails when a contact downgrades their subscription, nudging them towards reconsidering their decision.

3. **Customer Reengagement**: Send automated reengagement emails to contacts who have not interacted with your content for a specific period following an event.

4. **Monitoring Customer Satisfaction**: Use events tied to feedback forms or surveys to send automated thank-you emails or further engagement prompts.

Troubleshooting[edit | edit source]

If you encounter issues with event tracking not functioning as expected, consider the following:

- Verify that events are correctly set up in your application or website. - Check that the appropriate automation has been activated and published. - Ensure that contacts meet both the event condition and any segmentation criteria you've established.

FAQ[edit | edit source]

What types of events can I track?[edit | edit source]

You can track a variety of events, including signups, purchases, downgrades, cancellations, and more.

How many times can an event trigger an automation?[edit | edit source]

You can configure the trigger to activate either once or multiple times, depending on your specified requirements.

Can I segment users based on event history?[edit | edit source]

Yes, you can segment users based on the specific event occurrences or conditions nested within the trigger.

Is event tracking available on all ActiveCampaign plans?[edit | edit source]

Event tracking is available for Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plan types.

What should I do if my event doesn’t seem to trigger automations?[edit | edit source]

Double-check your event setup in your application and ensure that the automation is live and active.

How can I view recorded events?[edit | edit source]

You can view recorded events through the Event Tracking reports available in your ActiveCampaign account.

Please refer to the additional resources for more in-depth information on configuring and utilizing event tracking effectively in ActiveCampaign. ```