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How to test if my dynamic numbers are swapping correctly

Updated

Prerequisites

The WildJar tracking code must be installed on site. You can check if the dynamic script is installed by following the article at this link.

Use an Incognito or Private Browsing window

The best way to test if numbers are switching is to use an Incognito or Private Browsing window. WildJar's tracking code requires a first time visitor, otherwise it may appear the dynamic script is not working correctly when in fact it is. For example, if you have already visited the site through an organic search, WildJar will recognise you as an Organic visitor rather than the source you are currently testing.

Make sure you close all other incognito or private browsing windows before starting, as your cookies are stored in the browser until you close it down (this includes tabs).

Note on testing in Safari Private Browsing: Safari Private Browsing blocks Google Tag Manager from firing. If you are firing the WildJar tracking code within GTM and testing on Safari Private Browsing, you will need to refresh and click Reload with Reduced Protections for GTM to fire. If you have manually installed the WildJar tracking code, you won't be affected.
Note: You can also test in a normal browser window by clearing your cookies and cache before starting.

 

Testing Google Paid (Google Ads)

You can manually simulate a Google Paid click by appending "?utm_source=google&gclid=test" to the end of your website URL - without the need to click on a live ad e.g. https://www.mywebsite.com/?utm_source=google&gclid=test

Testing Organic Search (all search engines)

  1. Open your incognito or private browser
  2. Navigate to the search engine you wish to test (i.e if you have a unique number configured for Google, Bing etc)
  3. Search for your business name and click on the link. 
    Please note, make sure you don't click on a paid link or the visit will attribute as paid.
  4. Check the phone number is correctly showing the tracking number you have configured for Organic.

Testing UTM tagged URL's (Display, Banner, EDM's etc)

To test your manually tagged URL's, simply append the UTM parameters you set for the tracking number to the end of your URL to simulate a visit.
e.g. http://www.mywebsite.com/?utm_source=display&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Summer-Campaign

Special Limitations

  • Apple Link Tracking Protection: Since iOS 17, all links in Safari Private Browsing or links clicked from Apple's native Messages or Mail apps have any click tracking links removed. At this stage, only parameters that track a specific user like gclid, fbclid and msclkid are affected, this doesn't affect UTMs for now, but may do in the future. Additionally, from October 2023, Safari Private Browsing blocks Google Tag Manager from firing. However, if the WildJar tracking code is installed manually on site, it will not be affected.
     
  • Firefox Tracking Protection: Mozilla Firefox activates tracking protection by default in Private Browsing Mode in desktop and Android versions, and since April 2018 in both normal and Private Browsing in the iOS version. This stops most tracking scripts, such as Google Analytics and WildJar, from firing and your numbers will not switch. You must disable tracking protection to see your WildJar numbers switch.

Still having problems?

If you are still having problems getting the number to switch, or it is not displaying as expected we are more than happy to help. Send an email to our support team, including a link to the website and we will check it out!

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