Summary
Google CTM Ads make it easy for businesses to connect with potential customers directly on WhatsApp. With Wati, you can streamline the process, track conversions effectively, and gain valuable insights - all without the need for complex technical setups. Ready to get started? Apply for whitelisting today and take your Google Ads strategy to the next level! For questions or assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team. We're here to help!
Instructions
What Are Google CTM Ads and How Do They Work?
Google CTM (Click to Message) Ads allow users to start a WhatsApp conversation directly with a business after searching for something on Google. This seamless experience eliminates the need for users to visit a website first, making it easier for businesses to connect with potential customers.
In this article, we'll explain how Google CTM Ads work, how businesses can track conversions, and how Wati simplifies the process. We'll also cover the benefits, prerequisites, and steps to get started.
How Do Businesses Run CTM Ads Today?
To run Google CTM Ads, businesses typically follow these steps:
Add a WhatsApp Button to Their Website: Users click the button to start a conversation.
Track User Journeys: Use UTM parameters and custom tracking to identify users who came from Google Ads and started a WhatsApp conversation. This requires development work.
Send Data Back to Google: Use APIs to send conversion data back to Google Ads for optimization.
Pain Points with the Current Process
Manual and Complex: Requires significant custom development work.
Expensive Integrations: Third-party tools are costly and need customization to fit business workflows.
Limited Tracking: Businesses can't track beyond the initial click on the WhatsApp widget. Key questions remain unanswered:
Did the lead start a conversation?
How many conversions happened on WhatsApp?
How Does Wati's Google CTM Ads Work?
Wati simplifies the process and provides better insights by:
Receiving Conversations: Automatically captures conversations started from Google CTM Ads.
Tracking Conversions: Tracks key conversion events on WhatsApp, such as qualified leads and purchases.
Sending Data to Google: Sends conversion data back to Google Ads for better insights and ad optimization.
Exporting Leads: Allows businesses to download names and phone numbers of converted leads.
Benefits of Using Wati
No Extra Tech Work: No need for custom tracking or widgets. Leads can start conversations directly from the ad.
Reduced Friction: Easier for leads to connect, resulting in fewer drop-offs.
Better Insights: Track actual conversions, not just conversations started, for improved retargeting.
Unified Setup: If you're already using Meta Ads, you only need to set up WhatsApp conversion tracking once.
Prerequisites to Get Started
Before getting started, ensure the following:
Whitelisted Google Ads Account: Your Google Ads account must be whitelisted by Google. This process typically takes about 1 week.
How to Get Started as a Beta Customer
Apply for Whitelisting: Contact our CSM or Customer Support team to get your Google Ads account whitelisted.
Tech Onboarding: Once whitelisted, we'll share a technical onboarding document. You'll need to add a specific URL while creating your ad.
Receiving and Tracking Conversations
Receiving Conversations
If everything is set up correctly, conversations from Google CTM Ads will appear in Wati with the tag "G-CTWA".
Tracking Conversions
Use pre-built templates to track conversions.
If you've already set up Meta Ads conversions, Google will use the same template.
Select the conversion goal and action to map back to Google Ads Manager.
Sending Data Back to Google
Choose the conversion goal and action to send data to Google Ads Manager.
Verify that the data is being received by checking:
Conversations started.
The conversion action.
Key Attributes for Tracking
google_ad = true: Indicates the conversation started from a Google CTM Ad.
google_ad_qualified_lead = true: Marks a lead as qualified.
google_ad_purchased = true: Indicates a purchase. You can also export the names and phone numbers of leads who converted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
1. What are Google CTM Ads?
→ Google CTM (Click to Message) Ads allow users to start a WhatsApp conversation directly with a business after searching for something on Google. This eliminates the need for users to visit a website first, making it easier for businesses to connect with potential customers.
2. How do Google CTM Ads help businesses?
→ They provide a seamless way for users to initiate conversations with businesses, reducing friction and increasing engagement. Businesses can also track conversions and optimize their ad performance.
3. Do I need technical expertise to use Google CTM Ads?
→ No, with Wati, businesses can manage Google CTM Ads without needing complex custom tracking or integrations.
Setting Up Google CTM Ads
4. What are the prerequisites to start using Google CTM Ads?
→ Your Google Ads account must be whitelisted by Google, which typically takes about a week.
5. How can I apply for whitelisting?
→ Contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM) or the Wati Customer Support team to start the whitelisting process.
6. What happens after my account is whitelisted?
→ Once whitelisted, you will receive a technical onboarding document with instructions to add a specific URL while creating your ad.
Tracking and Conversions
7. How does Wati track conversions from Google CTM Ads?
→ Wati automatically captures conversations, tracks key conversion events on WhatsApp (such as qualified leads and purchases), and sends the data back to Google Ads for optimization.
8. Can I track leads beyond the initial click on the WhatsApp widget?
→ Yes, Wati provides insights into whether a lead started a conversation and how many conversions happened on WhatsApp.
9. What conversion actions can be tracked?
→ Wati tracks:
Conversations started from Google CTM Ads.
Qualified leads (google_ad_qualified_lead = true).
Purchases made (google_ad_purchased = true).
10. Can I export lead data from Wati?
→ Yes, businesses can export the names and phone numbers of converted leads.
Optimizing Google CTM Ads
11. How does Wati send conversion data back to Google Ads?
→ Wati automatically sends conversion data to Google Ads, helping businesses refine their ad strategy and improve targeting.
12. How can I verify that Google Ads is receiving my conversion data?
→ You can check within Google Ads Manager by verifying:
The number of conversations started.
The recorded conversion actions.
Benefits of Using Wati for Google CTM Ads
13. What advantages does Wati provide over manual tracking?
→ Wati removes the need for complex custom tracking, reduces friction in customer interactions, and offers deeper insights into actual conversions, not just initial contacts.
14. How does Wati improve customer engagement?
→ By making it easier for users to start conversations directly from ads, businesses experience fewer drop-offs and better conversion rates.