# Shipping Container Dealer Marketing: Fix Tracking, Then Ads

> Before you buy ads or container leads, fix your tracking and quote follow-up. Here's the order to do it in, and how to check an agency first.

Published 2026-10-30.
Canonical: https://lotgrowth.com/guides/shipping-container-dealer-marketing

Before you pay for ads or container leads, put Google Analytics 4 and a Meta pixel on your site, track every quote form and call, and follow up on every quote fast. Without that, you can't tell which ad sold a can.

## What we found on dealer sites

Of the 182 sites that loaded, 48 (26.4%) had no Meta pixel, no GA4 and no Tag Manager. 132 (72.5%) showed no Meta pixel, and 52 (28.6%) had neither GA4 nor Tag Manager.

We scanned the home page code on 2026-08-01, on sites from our research into lot-based dealers. A pixel loaded through Tag Manager doesn't show in the scan, so the true share without a pixel is somewhat lower.

## Do it in this order

1. Install Google Tag Manager and GA4.
2. Add the Meta pixel.
3. Track quote forms and phone calls as conversions.
4. Answer and follow up on every quote.
5. Only then run ads or buy leads aimed at container buyers.

Need the basics first? Read [how to sell shipping containers from your lot](/guides/how-to-sell-shipping-containers). Opening your first lot? Start with [how to start a shipping container business as a dealer](/guides/start-a-shipping-container-business).

## Check an agency or lead seller before you sign

Look in its own site code for a pixel and GA4. If it doesn't track its own site, it won't track yours. Then ask how it will show which sales came from its leads. If it can't answer, you'll be paying for a pile of quotes with no way to see what sold.