Among its many features, Eloqua offers one function that often goes overlooked: page tagging. In a previous article, we explored how page tagging can enhance customer segmentation and contribute to more effective marketing campaigns. Today, we’ll delve deeper into various practical methods for creating page tags in Eloqua and how they can significantly impact your marketing strategy.

Eloqua provides four distinct methods to create and manage page tags, each designed to cater to different needs and scenarios:

• Manual
• File upload
• Auto-tagging
• Meta-tagging

Additionally, before starting any page tagging, remember to track your web pages in Eloqua. Untracked pages will not appear as tag options, and for this to work, every page on your site needs at least one tag.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each method will help you choose the best approach for your specific situation.

Manual Page Tags

For users just starting with page tagging, the manual method is a straightforward option. Within Eloqua, you can create a tag and assign it to individual pages or entire folders with only a few clicks. After saving your work, you’re all set! Though manual tagging is user-friendly, it can be a time-consuming task, especially for larger websites with many pages. It’s important to weigh the benefits of control and specificity against the time investment required. Consider how often you’ll need to update tags and if this method will scale with your needs.

Anyone new to page tagging will likely start with the manual method. Within Eloqua, you can create a tag and assign it to individual pages or to whole folders of web pages with just a few clicks. Save your work, and you’re done! While manual tagging is the easiest solution, it is the most tedious and may not be your best option. 

File Upload for Page Tags

The file upload method necessitates some preparation. To begin, create a spreadsheet featuring two columns: one for the page URLs you wish to tag and another for the corresponding tags. You can apply multiple tags by separating them with commas. Once your spreadsheet is ready, upload it to Eloqua using the Upload Wizard. During this process, you’ll determine how you want the new tags to interact with any existing tags—whether to replace them or append them. After uploading, Eloqua will automatically assign your new tags, and you’ll receive a confirmation email once the process is complete. This method is particularly beneficial for users managing numerous pages at once, as it saves substantial time compared to manual tagging.

The file upload method requires some preparation ahead of time. Create a spreadsheet with two columns: one for each page URL you want to tag, and one for the tags you wish to apply. You can apply multiple tags using this method by separating them with commas. Next, upload your spreadsheet to Eloqua using the Upload Wizard, and determine how you want these new tags handled (for instance, whether they should replace any existing tags or simply be added). Eloqua will then assign your new tags, and you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Auto Page Tags

For dynamic websites that frequently add or remove URLs, relying on manual tagging or file uploads can be impractical. This is where Eloqua’s automated system shines.

To maximize the effectiveness of this approach, ensure that your spreadsheet is meticulously organized. Inaccuracies or inconsistencies can lead to failed uploads or misassigned tags, so double-check your entries before proceeding.

The auto-tagging method allows you to assign a set of tags to a specific URL, which can then be applied to any related URLs added subsequently. For instance, if a group of tags is assigned to example.com/products/toys, those tags will automatically apply to example.com/products/toys/board-games and example.com/products/toys/rc-vehicles. This method streamlines tag management as your website evolves, making it easier to maintain accurate tracking without constant manual updates.

Setting up auto-tagging rules requires careful planning. Be sure to consider the hierarchy of your URLs and their structure, as this will affect how broadly tags are applied. Additionally, it’s wise to regularly review the effectiveness of your auto-tagging rules to ensure they continue to meet your marketing goals.

To set this up, create an auto-tagging rule within Eloqua and double-check the generated preview for any issues. You can also manually create exclusions at this stage if needed. From there, save your work. Eloqua will automatically run the rule and tag new pages every time your sitemap updates.

Using Meta Tags

After creating your meta-tagging rule within Eloqua, configure the system’s crawling preferences. This will dictate how often Eloqua scans your website to generate new tags. Regular updates can ensure that your tagging remains reflective of your current content and marketing strategies, helping maintain effective customer segmentation.

Lastly, almost every website includes meta tags that enhance SEO and search visibility. These tags can also be utilized to generate and assign page tags. This approach is particularly useful for tagging pages that may not fit neatly into a parent-child structure, which can be a limitation of the default auto-tagging system. If your website has a well-defined taxonomy, meta-tagging may be the most effective method for creating Eloqua page tags.

Finally, virtually every website includes meta tags to help improve SEO and search results.  These tags can also be used to generate and assign page tags. This method works best when you want to automatically tag pages that don’t necessarily follow a parent-child structure and thus don’t fall under the default auto-tagging system. If you have a well-constructed taxonomy for your website, this may be the best solution to create Eloqua page tags.

Within Eloqua, you can create a meta-tagging rule and configure the system to crawl your website as you wish. Double-check the generated preview and save your work. From there, your job is done. Eloqua will crawl your website once a day (or as often as you specify) and generate new page tags according to your specifications.

Conclusion

With Eloqua’s user-friendly interface and extensive capabilities, mastering page tagging is not only straightforward but can also yield remarkable results for your marketing efforts. Allocate time to explore everything Eloqua has to offer, as you may be pleasantly surprised by the positive impact on your campaigns!

If you’re ready to implement page tags but feel uncertain about the initial steps, don’t hesitate to email us for prompt, expert assistance. Our team is here to help you make the most of Eloqua’s powerful features, ensuring you achieve your marketing objectives effectively.

Ready to assign page tags, but not quite sure how to get started? Email us for quick, expert help.