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How to Track Website Visitors

Complexity Level: Basic to Advanced

Overview

This page helps you track how people use your website. Tracking means you can see how many people visit, which pages they read, and what they click on. The Springboard gives you two choices for tracking:

  • Firespring Analytics (built into Springboard)
  • Google Analytics (a free tracking tool from Google)

Both tools open in a new tab so you can view charts and reports.

Words used on this page

  • Account: Your organization’s space in Springboard.
  • Menu: The list of choices you click to move around Springboard.
  • Page: One screen in Springboard, like a form or a list.
  • Analytics: A way to see how people use your website.
  • Dashboard: A screen with charts and numbers.
  • Report: A saved view that shows website activity.

Understanding Firespring Analytics

Firespring Analytics is the visitor tracking tool that is built into the Springboard. It shows simple, real-time information, such as:

  • How many people are on your website currently
  • Which pages are the most popular
  • How visitors found your website (for example, from search or social media)
  • What actions people take (for example, clicking a button or downloading a file)

Understanding Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free service from Google that helps you understand how people use your website. It focuses on:

  • Audience: Who is visiting your website
  • Acquisition: How people found your website
  • Engagement: What pages people read and how long they stay
  • Conversions: When visitors complete important actions you choose to track

If you are new to Google Analytics, start with simple reports like the number of visitors and most-viewed pages.

When You Would Use This

Use this section if you need to:

  • Check whether website tracking is turned on.
  • Set up Google Analytics with your tracking ID.
  • Open the Firespring Analytics or Google Analytics dashboard.
  • Turn off tracking you no longer want to use.
  • Ask Support to help with advanced tracking setup.

Checking Your Visitor Tracking Status

This task helps you see what Analytics tracking tools are active on your website.

  1. In the left hand menu, click Analytics & Reports, then click Site Analytics.

Screenshot: Reports menu with Analytics Reports highlighted

  1. Look at the list of Analytics available. Both Firespring Analytics and Google will display a Status badge, which will read Active or Inactive.

Your organization may be using one or both of the analytics tracking systems in the Springboard.

Screenshot: Site Analytics list showing Firespring and Google rows with status badges

Viewing Your Analytics Dashboards

Use this task when you want to see charts and reports.

  1. In the left hand menu, click Analytics & Reports, then Site Analytics.

  2. On the Site Analytics page, find the analytics account you want to view.

  3. Click the View Analytics button to the right of the account.

Screenshot: View Analytics button in the Site Analytics list

  1. A new browser tab will open with your preferred analytics dashboard.

  2. Use the dashboard menus to view charts and reports.

Screenshot: Analytics dashboard opened in a new tab

Setting Up Google Analytics

Use this task to turn on Google Analytics tracking for your website.

  1. To integrate your Google Analytics account with the Springboard, you will first need to sign up or log in to your Google Analytics account.

  2. In your Google Analytics account, locate your Tracking ID, which will appear on the first page you see upon logging in, and will look something like this: G-XXXXXXXXXX

  3. In another browser tab, navigate to your Springboard.

  4. In the left hand menu, click Analytics & Reports, then Site Analytics.

  5. In the Analytics column, click Google.

Screenshot: Google row with the Google link

  1. Copy and paste your Tracking ID from your Google Analytics account into the Google Analytics ID box.

  2. Click Save & Finish.

  3. You will be returned to the Site Analytics page, where your Google analytics will now be listed with a green Active icon.

Turning Off Google Analytics

Use this task if you no longer want Google Analytics to track your website.

  1. In the left hand menu, click Analytics & Reports, then Site Analytics.

  2. Click Google.

  3. Select the text in the Google Analytics ID box and delete it.

  4. Click Save & Finish.

  5. Return to Site Analytics and confirm the status now says Inactive.

Screenshot: Google status badge showing Inactive

Setting Up Firespring Analytics (Support/Admin Only)

Firespring Analytics is built into Springboard, but only Support or Admin users can set it up. If you do not see an active account for Firespring Analytics, contact Firespring Support to set it up on your behalf.

  1. In the left hand menu, click Analytics & Reports, then Site Analytics.

Screenshot: Firespring row with the Firespring link

  1. In the top right corner, click the grey Create button. If you do not have a Create button, reach out to the support manager to check your Springboard permissions, and work with Engineering to update your access if necessary.

Screenshot: Firespring Analytics settings with Create button

  1. If the Clicky site ID and Clicky site key fields show values and are gray, Firespring Analytics is already set up and locked.

  2. Click Save & Finish to return to Site Analytics.

  3. Confirm the Firespring status shows Active.

Screenshot: Firespring status badge showing Active

Tips & Helpful Guidance

  • If a View Analytics button looks gray, that tracking tool is not active yet.
  • If you do not see a Firespring link, your account may not have been set up yet by Support, or your Springboard website is not yet live at your domain. Analytics will be added during the go live process.
  • If you are unsure which tracking ID to use, ask your website administrator for help.
  • If you are setting up Google Analytics, make sure your Google Analytics ID is a v4 ID.
  • If you change your Google Analytics account ID, double-check the Active badge after you save.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The View Analytics button is gray and won’t open

Solution:

  • Check the status badge. If it says Inactive, you will need to set up the tracking tool first.
  • If your Springboard website is not yet live at your domain, you will need to wait until you launch the site with your Firespring Onboarding Consultant. They will activate your Firespring Analytics account when your site goes live.

Problem: The Google Analytics ID is rejected

Solution:

  • Make sure you are using a v4 ID, which will start with G- and include unique letters or numbers for your Google Analytics account.
  • Try copying the ID again directly from Google Analytics.

Solution:

  • This is normal for regular users. Only Support or Admin users can open Firespring settings.
  • Contact your support representative if you have any questions.

Problem: The status still says Inactive after saving

Solution:

  • Double check that you have pasted your Google Analytics ID exactly as it appears in your Google Analytics account, then click Save & Finish.
  • Refresh the Site Analytics page.
  • Contact support if the status does not change.

Complexity Level

  • Basic: Checking status, opening dashboards, and entering a Google Analytics ID.
  • Advanced: Setting up Firespring Analytics with Support/Admin access and reviewing reports.

Summary

Tracking website visitors helps you see who is visiting your site and what they do there. Use the Site Analytics page to turn tracking on, open dashboards, and confirm that each tool is active. If you need help with Firespring Analytics or advanced tracking, your Support team can help.