WordPress Setup (Without Plugin)

This guide shows you how to manually install PixelFlow on WordPress without using the PixelFlow plugin. This method involves embedding the tracking script directly in your site's header using a code snippet plugin.

Overview

Manual WordPress setup requires you to copy the PixelFlow tracking script from your dashboard and paste it into your site's header using a free plugin like WPCode. After embedding the script, you'll configure event tracking through the PixelFlow dashboard.

When to Use Manual Setup

Manual setup is ideal when:

• You prefer not to install the PixelFlow plugin

• You want more direct control over script placement

• You're using a custom WordPress setup that doesn't support the plugin

• You don't need WooCommerce auto-tracking features

Prerequisites

• WordPress admin access with permission to install plugins

• A Meta Business Manager account with your Meta Pixel ID and Access Token

• A PixelFlow account (sign up for a free 7-day trial at dashboard.pixelflow.so)

• Remove any existing Facebook Pixel scripts to avoid duplicate tracking

Step 1: Install WPCode Plugin

WPCode is a free WordPress plugin that lets you safely add code snippets to your site's header without editing theme files.

1. In your WordPress admin panel, go to Plugins → Add New

2. Search for "Code Snippets"

3. Click Install Now on the "Code Snippets" plugin

4. Click Activate after installation completes

Step 2: Login to PixelFlow Dashboard

1. Visit dashboard.pixelflow.so

2. Click Login or Start Free Trial if you're a new user

3. Enter your credentials or sign in with Google

Step 3: Add Your Site in PixelFlow

After logging in, the setup wizard will automatically open to guide you through configuration.

1. In the wizard's first step, enter your WordPress site domain (e.g., yoursite.com)

2. Select your currency from the dropdown (optional, used for eCommerce tracking)

3. Click Continue

Step 4: Add Your Meta Pixel Credentials

In the second wizard step, configure your Meta Pixel:

1. Enter a Pixel Name for reference (e.g., "Main Website Pixel")

2. Add your Meta Pixel ID (find this in Facebook Events Manager)

3. Add your Meta Pixel Access Token (generate this in Facebook Events Manager under Settings)

4. Check the box to confirm you've removed any existing native Meta Pixel script

5. Click Add Pixel

Step 5: Copy Your PixelFlow Script

In the third wizard step, you'll get your unique tracking script:

1. The wizard will display a code snippet starting with <script>

2. Click the Copy to Clipboard button (or manually select and copy the entire script)

3. Keep this script ready for the next step

Step 6: Paste Script in WPCode

Now you'll embed the PixelFlow script in your WordPress site's header:

1. In your WordPress admin, go to Code Snippets → Header & Footer

2. Scroll to the Header section

3. Paste your PixelFlow script into the header text box

4. Click Save Changes

Step 7: Clear Your WordPress Cache

If you use any caching plugins, you must clear your cache for the script to appear on your live site.

Common caching plugins:

• WP Rocket: WP Rocket → Clear Cache

• W3 Total Cache: Performance → Dashboard → Empty All Caches

• WP Super Cache: Settings → WP Super Cache → Delete Cache

• LiteSpeed Cache: LiteSpeed Cache → Toolbox → Purge All

Step 8: Verify Events Are Tracking

Return to the PixelFlow dashboard wizard to confirm your setup is working:

1. In the fourth wizard step, the dashboard will automatically poll for events every 10 seconds

2. Open your live website in a new browser window or incognito/private mode

3. Navigate to a few pages on your site

4. Return to the wizard—when the first Page View event is detected, you'll see:

   • A confetti animation celebrating your successful setup

   • A green congratulations modal

   • Your site status will change to "Connected"

Step 9: Configure Additional Event Tracking

After the wizard closes, you can set up tracking for specific user actions beyond Page Views.

Available tracking methods:

• Event Classes: Track form submissions, button clicks, and interactions using CSS classes—see Event Classes on WordPress

• Tracking URLs: Track specific page visits or link clicks—see How to Track Events

• Form Submissions: Capture lead data from contact forms—see How to Track Events for Form Submissions

• Calendly Integration: Track call bookings automatically—see How to Track Calendars & Call Bookings

Updating Your Script

If you make changes to your pixel configuration in the PixelFlow dashboard (such as adding new pixels or updating tracking settings), you'll need to update your script:

1. In the PixelFlow dashboard, go to your site's settings

2. Copy the updated script

3. Return to Code Snippets → Header & Footer in WordPress

4. Replace the old script with the new one

5. Click Save Changes

6. Clear your cache

Comparison: Manual vs Plugin Setup

Troubleshooting

Verification

To confirm your setup is working correctly:

• Check the PixelFlow Events page to see incoming events

• Visit Facebook Events Manager and look for events with both "Browser" and "Server" sources

• Review your Event Match Quality score (should be 8.3-9.3/10 with PixelFlow)

For detailed verification steps, see How to Test and Verify Your PixelFlow CAPI Setup.

Getting Help

If you're experiencing issues with manual WordPress setup:

• Verify the script is pasted in the Header section (not Footer)

• Check that you've saved changes in WPCode and cleared your cache

• Use browser developer tools (F12) to check for JavaScript errors

• Confirm your Meta Pixel ID and Access Token are correct

• Contact PixelFlow support at [email protected] or book a free setup call

When contacting support, please provide:

• Your WordPress site URL

• Screenshots of your WPCode header section

• Whether you're seeing events in your PixelFlow dashboard

• Any JavaScript errors from your browser console