Tracking problems are much easier to prevent than to fix. Once a site is live and data is flowing, gaps and errors can go unnoticed for months. By then, the history you need for comparisons is already missing. A short checklist before launch can save a lot of trouble later.
Before you install anything
- Confirm your measurement plan and the key actions you need to track.
- Decide who owns the analytics account and who has access.
- Check your consent approach with the people responsible for privacy.
- Agree on naming rules for events and campaigns.
During setup
- Install your analytics tag on every page, including templates for blog posts and landing pages.
- Use a tag manager if you expect to add or change tracking often.
- Set up tracking for key actions, such as form submissions, sign-ups and purchases.
- Mark your most important actions as conversions.
- Exclude internal traffic where your tools allow it.
- Link related tools, such as Search Console and ad accounts, where appropriate.
Testing before launch
Do not assume tracking works because the tag is installed. Test each key action yourself. Submit a form, complete a test purchase or click the button you care about. Then check that the event appears in your reports with the right details. Test on mobile as well as desktop, and in more than one browser.
After launch
Keep a close eye on your data for the first few weeks. Look for sudden drops, duplicate events or pages that show no visits at all. Compare numbers across tools where you can. They will rarely match exactly, but large differences are a sign that something is wrong.
Document everything
Write down what you tracked, how, and why. Include event names, triggers and any known limits. This documentation helps new team members and makes future changes safer. It also makes it much easier to explain your numbers when someone asks.
A careful setup gives you data you can trust from day one. If you would like the Northpeak team to review your tracking before launch, just get in touch.
