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How to Add Facebook Pixel in WordPress Manually Without Slowing Down Your Website

Are you also looking for a one-stop solution to track your website visitor’s actions, optimize ad targeting, and improve your marketing results? Well, look no more. Facebook Pixel is the solution to all your needs. It is an excellent tool from Meta to incorporate into your WordPress website.

If you’re wondering how to add Facebook Pixel in WordPress manually, you have two main options. You can add it through plugins such as GTM4WP or Conversions, which is straightforward. However, if you’re someone who wants full control over the code and loves a hands-on approach, the manual way of adding Facebook Pixel is a great option. You can do this by tweaking the theme code. In this article, we’ll guide you through the complete process of how to add Facebook Pixel in WordPress manually without plugins.

What is Facebook Pixel?

Before we start discussing the installation process of the Facebook pixel, we must understand what the pixel is. In reality, the Facebook pixel is nothing more than just a piece of code; however, this piece of code can do wonders for your website. It helps track user actions (such as page visits, purchases, or form submissions), allowing you to create optimized ad campaigns based on real visitor data. Not only that, Facebook Pixel also helps you track the insights of your Facebook ads and helps you build custom and lookalike audiences.

Why Add Facebook Pixel Manually?

To be honest, you’ll find many plugins on WordPress that do this job for you. However, adding Meta Pixel manually certainly has its advantages, which will help you in the long run. Below are some of the reasons to consider before you decide your approach:

Avoid Plugin Overload: Plugins are one of the most useful things for your WordPress website. However, too many of them can increase the overall load of your website, which can eventually slow it down. A slow website negatively impacts rankings, so it is a great way to keep your site fast and efficient.
Full Control: Plugins come with limited functionality, which means less control over your website, or you’ll have to go for the paid version for extra functionality. This issue doesn’t exist with the manual method. You retain full control of your code.
Better Customization: One thing that plugins don’t provide is the opportunity to customize. You can modify the code directly to track specific behaviors or actions by manually adding Meta Pixels.

These are the reasons why you should integrate pixels manually into WordPress. However, if you think plugins suit your purposes, check out our blog on integrating Facebook Pixel in WordPress Using Plugins.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Add Facebook Pixel in WordPress Manually

Step 1: Create Your Facebook Pixel

Go to Facebook Ads Manager: Open Facebook Ads Manager and select the Pixels option under the Events Manager section.
Create a Pixel: Click on the Create Pixel option. A prompt will appear asking you to name the pixel and provide the URL of your website.
Get the Pixel Code: Once you have created the pixel, you’ll get the option to manually install it. Copy the code and move on to your WordPress.

Step 2: Access Your WordPress Theme Files

Access the Theme Editor: Access the theme editor from your WordPress dashboard. You can find it in the Appearance section. Locate the currently active theme and click on Theme File Editor from the actions button.
Locate the Header File: Find the header.php file in the editor. This file controls the header section of your website.
Insert the Pixel Code: Paste the Pixel tracking code right before the closing </head> tag in the header.php file. Save the file after pasting.

Tip: Always keep a backup of your header.php file before editing it. It will come in handy if something goes wrong.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

After the integration, you must test it to ensure the Facebook Pixel works. Use the browser extension called Facebook Pixel Helper to test your integration.

Benefits of Using Facebook Pixel Manually

Optimized Ad Targeting: Facebook Pixel helps you track user actions such as product views, add-to-cart events, or completed purchases on your website. This data helps create custom audiences or retarget users with personalised ads.
Improved Ad Performance through Data: Pixel data enables Facebook to optimize campaigns by showing ads to people likely to take desired actions.
Conversion Tracking: It helps measure your Facebook ads’ effectiveness, such as purchases or sign-ups, and assesses the ROI of your campaigns.
Creating Lookalike Audiences: Pixel data lets you create groups of users similar to your existing customers for better engagement and conversions.
Automatic Bid Optimization: Facebook can adjust bidding strategies to focus on conversions, maximizing ROI.
Track Cross-Device Conversions: Pixel helps track user actions across devices, providing a clearer picture of customer journeys.

Adding Facebook Pixel to WordPress Child Theme

Manually adding Facebook Pixel to your WordPress website is a good practice to install it in a child theme. This prevents modifications from being overwritten during theme updates. Below is the process:

Install a Child Theme: If not already set up, create a child theme by copying the parent theme files.
Add the Pixel to the Header File: Access the header.php file of the child theme and paste the Pixel code before the closing </head> tag.
Save and Test: Save changes and test using Facebook Pixel Helper.

Adding Facebook Pixel to Functions.php (Advanced)

If you prefer more control, add the Pixel code to the functions.php file. This method requires PHP knowledge:

Access Functions.php: Open your functions.php file in the theme editor.
Insert the Pixel Code: Add a function to include the Pixel code in the header:
```
function add_facebook_pixel() {
    ?>    
```
Save Changes and Test: Save the file and test with Facebook Pixel Helper.

Conclusion

This was the complete process of adding Facebook Pixel to your WordPress website manually. This tool can help you manage and plan ad campaigns, increasing conversion rates. Following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate Facebook Pixel into your website.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To How To Add Facebook Pixel in WordPress Manually

Can I add Facebook Pixel without a plugin?

Yes, you can manually add the Facebook Pixel code to your WordPress site without using a plugin by inserting it into the header.php or functions.php file.

Why should I add Facebook Pixel manually instead of using a plugin?

Adding the Pixel manually avoids the overhead of an extra plugin, which can slow down your website. It also provides more flexibility and control over the code.

Where should I paste the Facebook Pixel code in WordPress?

The Pixel code should be pasted just before the closing tag in the header.php file.

How do I verify that the Pixel is working?

Use the Facebook Pixel Helper browser extension to check if your Pixel is installed correctly and to see the data being tracked.

What happens if I change my WordPress theme?

If you change your theme, the manually added Pixel code will be lost unless it’s added to a child theme. Make sure to back up your code or reapply it to the new theme’s header file.

Tarun

Website developer with over 9 years of experience, specializing in creating user-friendly websites and effective digital marketing strategies. He shares his expertise through technical blogs, simplifying complex concepts to help businesses enhance their online presence.