Choice Universal Form Tracker

Universal WordPress plugin for tracking form submissions across multiple frameworks and link clicks via Google Tag Manager's dataLayer.

Features

• Universal Form Support: Tracks Avada/Fusion, Elementor Pro, Contact Form 7, Ninja Forms, and Gravity Forms
• Smart Detection: Automatically detects available form frameworks and email fields to prevent false positives
• Enhanced Form Tracking: Pushes form_submit events with user_email and user_phone data
• Improved Success Detection: Advanced Avada form success state detection with comprehensive debugging
• Link Tracking: Tracks phone_click events on tel: links
• GTM Integration: Optional Google Tag Manager container injection
• UTM Campaign Tracking: Automatic detection and attribution of marketing campaigns
• Click ID Tracking: Support for all major advertising platform click IDs (Google, Facebook, Microsoft, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest)
• GA4 Enhanced Compatibility: Full Google Analytics 4 parameter alignment for maximum analytics value
• Generate Lead Events: Automatic lead generation tracking for qualified form submissions
• Console Logging Control: Granular browser console logging (No/Yes/Admin Only)
• Debug Logging: Comprehensive logging system for troubleshooting
• Admin Dashboard: Beautiful admin interface with framework status and debug logs
• JavaScript-First Design: Prefers vanilla JavaScript with jQuery fallbacks for maximum compatibility
• Server-Side GTM Support: Optional first-party tracking through custom domain (new in v3.5.0)

File Structure

choice-universal-form-tracker.php    # Main plugin file
includes/
├── class-cuft-admin.php             # Admin settings page
├── class-cuft-gtm.php               # GTM integration
├── class-cuft-form-detector.php     # Framework detection
├── class-cuft-form-tracker.php      # Form tracking coordinator
├── class-cuft-link-tracking.php     # Link click tracking
├── class-cuft-logger.php            # Debug logging system
├── class-cuft-utm-tracker.php       # UTM campaign tracking
└── forms/                           # Framework-specific handlers
    ├── class-cuft-avada-forms.php
    ├── class-cuft-elementor-forms.php
    ├── class-cuft-cf7-forms.php
    ├── class-cuft-ninja-forms.php
    └── class-cuft-gravity-forms.php
assets/
├── cuft-links.js                    # Link tracking JavaScript
├── cuft-utm-tracker.js              # UTM parameter and Click ID detection
├── cuft-utm-utils.js                # UTM and Click ID utilities for forms
├── icon.svg                         # Plugin icon
└── forms/                           # Framework-specific JavaScript
    ├── cuft-avada-forms.js
    ├── cuft-elementor-forms.js
    ├── cuft-cf7-forms.js
    ├── cuft-ninja-forms.js
    └── cuft-gravity-forms.js

Core Design Principles

JavaScript-First Approach

The plugin prioritizes pure vanilla JavaScript implementations with jQuery as a fallback option. This ensures:

• Maximum compatibility across different WordPress setups
• Works with or without jQuery
• Supports modern Elementor (3.5+) and legacy versions
• Multiple fallback detection methods for reliability

Robust Event Tracking

Implements multiple layers of event detection:

1. Native JavaScript CustomEvents (modern browsers)
2. jQuery events (when available)
3. MutationObserver (DOM changes)
4. Ajax interceptors (fetch and XMLHttpRequest)
5. Form submission handlers

Data Fallback Chain

Tracking data is retrieved with graceful degradation:

URL Parameters → SessionStorage → Cookies → Empty Object

Installation

1. Upload the plugin folder to /wp-content/plugins/
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress
3. Configure GTM container ID in Settings > Universal Form Tracker

Configuration

GTM Integration

• Go to Settings > Universal Form Tracker
• Enter your GTM container ID (format: GTM-XXXX or GTM-XXXXXXX for older/newer containers)
• Enable debug logging if needed
• Save settings

Framework Support

The plugin automatically detects and supports:

• Avada/Fusion Forms: Built-in theme forms
• Elementor Pro Forms: Advanced form widget
• Contact Form 7: Popular contact form plugin
• Ninja Forms: Drag & drop form builder
• Gravity Forms: Advanced form solution

Server-Side GTM (sGTM) Support

New in v3.5.0: Enable first-party tracking through your own domain to avoid third-party cookie restrictions and improve tracking reliability.

Configuration:

1. Navigate to Settings > Universal Form Tracker
2. Enable "Server-Side GTM" checkbox
3. Enter your server GTM URL (e.g., https://gtm.yourdomain.com)
   • For local development: .localnet domains are supported (e.g., https://tagging-server.localnet)
   • SSL verification is automatically disabled for .localnet domains to support self-signed certificates
4. Click "Test Connection" to validate endpoints
5. Save settings once validation succeeds

Benefits:

• First-Party Tracking: Scripts served from your domain avoid browser restrictions
• Improved Privacy: Better control over data collection and processing
• Ad Blocker Resistant: Less likely to be blocked than third-party scripts
• Cookie Compliance: First-party cookies have better browser support
• Faster Loading: Can leverage your CDN and caching infrastructure

Requirements:

• A configured server-side GTM container
• Proxy endpoints for /gtm.js and /ns.html
• HTTPS connection to your server GTM domain

Fallback: If validation fails or sGTM is disabled, the plugin automatically uses standard Google Tag Manager URLs.

UTM Campaign Tracking

The plugin automatically tracks UTM parameters for marketing attribution:

• Detects UTM parameters when users first visit your site
• Stores campaign data in user session for 30 days
• Includes UTM data in all form submissions for proper attribution
• Supports all standard UTM parameters: utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, utm_term, utm_content

GA4 Enhanced Measurement Compatibility

This plugin is designed to be additive with Google Analytics 4's enhanced measurement, not competitive:

Why GA4 Enhanced Measurement Misses WordPress Form Plugins:

• GA4's built-in form_submit tracking only detects standard HTML form submissions
• Popular WordPress form plugins (Elementor Pro, Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, etc.) use AJAX submissions and custom event systems
• These bypass GA4's automatic detection, creating tracking blind spots

Our Additive Approach:

• ✅ Fills the Gap: Tracks forms that GA4 enhanced measurement cannot see
• ✅ No Conflicts: Uses unique event parameters (cuft_tracked: true, specific cuft_source values)
• ✅ GA4 Compatible: All events include standard GA4 parameters (page_location, engagement_time_msec, etc.)
• ✅ Future-Proof: Aligns with Google's recommended tracking practices

Result: Complete form tracking coverage with both GA4's native capabilities AND comprehensive WordPress form plugin support.

Generate Lead Events

The plugin can automatically fire generate_lead events for high-value form submissions:

Configuration:

• Enable via Settings > Universal Form Tracker > Generate Lead Events
• Automatically triggers when forms are submitted with both:
  • User email address
  • UTM campaign data (indicating traffic from marketing campaigns)

Benefits:

• ✅ Conversion Tracking: Perfect for GA4 conversion goals and Google Ads tracking
• ✅ Lead Quality: Only fires for submissions with marketing attribution
• ✅ Standard Compliance: Uses GA4's recommended generate_lead event structure
• ✅ Debug Visibility: All lead events appear in debug logs when enabled

Browser Console Logging

Control JavaScript console output for debugging:

Settings Options:

• No: Disable all browser console logging (production default)
• Yes: Enable console logging for all visitors (development mode)
• Admin Only: Enable console logging only for logged-in administrators (recommended for production debugging)

Benefits:

• ✅ Production Safe: Debug live sites without exposing console logs to visitors
• ✅ Developer Friendly: Full debugging capabilities when needed
• ✅ Performance Optimized: No console overhead when disabled

Filters

// Disable plugin entirely
add_filter( 'cuft_enabled', '__return_false' );

// Enable debug logging
add_filter( 'cuft_debug', '__return_true' );

DataLayer Events

Form Submit

{
  event: 'form_submit',
  formType: 'contact_form_7',        // Framework identifier
  form_id: 'contact-form-1',
  form_name: 'Contact Form',
  user_email: 'user@example.com',
  user_phone: '1234567890',

  // GA4 Standard Parameters
  page_location: 'https://example.com/contact',
  page_referrer: 'https://google.com',
  page_title: 'Contact Us',
  language: 'en-US',
  screen_resolution: '1920x1080',
  engagement_time_msec: 15432,

  // Plugin Identification
  cuft_tracked: true,
  cuft_source: 'contact_form_7',     // Specific tracking source

  // UTM Campaign Attribution
  utm_source: 'google',
  utm_medium: 'cpc',
  utm_campaign: 'summer_sale',
  utm_term: 'contact_form',
  utm_content: 'header_cta',

  // Click ID Attribution (when available)
  gclid: 'TeSter-123',               // Google Ads click ID
  fbclid: 'IwAR1234567890',          // Facebook/Meta Ads click ID
  msclkid: 'abc123def456',           // Microsoft Ads click ID
  ttclid: 'tiktok_click_123',        // TikTok Ads click ID
  li_fat_id: 'linkedin_123',         // LinkedIn Ads click ID

  submittedAt: '2024-01-01T12:00:00.000Z'
}

Phone Click

{
  event: 'phone_click',
  clicked_phone: '1234567890',       // Non-reserved property name
  href: 'tel:+1-234-567-8890',

  // GA4 Standard Parameters
  page_location: 'https://example.com/contact',
  page_referrer: 'https://google.com',
  page_title: 'Contact Us',
  language: 'en-US',
  screen_resolution: '1920x1080',
  engagement_time_msec: 8245,

  // Plugin Identification
  cuft_tracked: true,
  cuft_source: 'link_tracking',

  clickedAt: '2024-01-01T12:00:00.000Z'
}

Email Click

{
  event: 'email_click',
  clicked_email: 'contact@example.com', // Non-reserved property name
  href: 'mailto:contact@example.com',

  // GA4 Standard Parameters
  page_location: 'https://example.com/contact',
  page_referrer: 'https://google.com',
  page_title: 'Contact Us',
  language: 'en-US',
  screen_resolution: '1920x1080',
  engagement_time_msec: 12156,

  // Plugin Identification
  cuft_tracked: true,
  cuft_source: 'link_tracking',

  clickedAt: '2024-01-01T12:00:00.000Z'
}

Generate Lead (when enabled)

{
  event: 'generate_lead',
  currency: 'USD',
  value: 0,

  // GA4 Standard Parameters
  page_location: 'https://example.com/contact',
  page_referrer: 'https://google.com',
  page_title: 'Contact Us',
  language: 'en-US',
  screen_resolution: '1920x1080',
  engagement_time_msec: 15432,

  // Plugin Identification
  cuft_tracked: true,
  cuft_source: 'contact_form_7_lead',   // Indicates lead source

  // Form Context
  formType: 'contact_form_7',
  form_id: 'contact-form-1',
  form_name: 'Contact Form',

  // UTM Campaign Attribution (required for lead generation)
  utm_source: 'google',
  utm_medium: 'cpc',
  utm_campaign: 'summer_sale',
  utm_term: 'contact_form',
  utm_content: 'header_cta',

  submittedAt: '2024-01-01T12:00:00.000Z'
}

Requirements

• WordPress 5.0+
• Modern browser support (IE11+)
• No jQuery dependency

Click ID Support

The plugin automatically detects and tracks click IDs from all major advertising platforms:

Supported Click IDs

Platform	Parameter	Description
Google Ads	gclid	Standard Google Ads click ID
Google Ads	gbraid	Google Ads click ID for iOS app-to-web journeys
Google Ads	wbraid	Google Ads click ID for web-to-app journeys
Facebook/Meta	fbclid	Facebook/Instagram Ads click ID
Microsoft Ads	msclkid	Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) click ID
TikTok Ads	ttclid	TikTok Ads click ID
LinkedIn Ads	li_fat_id	LinkedIn Ads click ID
Twitter/X Ads	twclid	Twitter/X Ads click ID
Snapchat Ads	snap_click_id	Snapchat Ads click ID
Pinterest Ads	pclid	Pinterest Ads click ID

How It Works

1. Automatic Detection: Click IDs are automatically detected from URL parameters when visitors land on your site
2. Persistent Storage: Click IDs are stored for 30 days (same as UTM parameters) to attribute form submissions
3. Form Attribution: When a form is submitted, any stored click IDs are included in the dataLayer event
4. Cross-Platform Support: Works with all major advertising platforms for comprehensive attribution

Example Usage

When a visitor clicks a Google Ads link:

https://yoursite.com/contact?gclid=TeSter-123&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=summer_sale

The form submission will include:

{
  event: 'form_submit',
  gclid: 'TeSter-123',
  utm_source: 'google',
  utm_campaign: 'summer_sale',
  // ... other form data
}

Version History

• 3.3.0: Major Avada form tracking bug fixes - improved AJAX support, enhanced success detection, resolved duplicate submissions, better error handling, and compatibility with latest Avada/Fusion versions
• 3.2.1: Enhanced Avada form tracking with improved success detection, email field validation, comprehensive debugging, and click ID support for all major advertising platforms
• 3.1.0: Added UTM campaign tracking for marketing attribution
• 3.0.0: Universal form framework support, vanilla JS, debug logging, framework detection
• 2.0.0: Refactored into modular structure with separate classes
• 1.2.0: Added GTM integration and admin settings
• 1.0.0: Initial release with form and link tracking

Support

For issues and feature requests, please contact Choice OMG at https://choice.marketing