Tracking numbers are unique phone numbers assigned to specific marketing sources like Google Ads, Facebook, or print. They tell you where your calls come from, capture rich call data, and route calls to your business without disrupting your normal workflow. This page is for anyone getting numbers in Nimbata, whether it is your first set or more for a new campaign.

Number types and channels

The different types of tracking numbers

Local tracking numbers

  • They carry a local area code and are best for campaigns targeting a specific region.
  • Callers are more likely to trust and engage with a number that looks local to them.

Toll-free tracking numbers

  • They use prefixes like 800, 888, or 877 and are free for callers to dial.
  • They suit national campaigns and customer service lines.

Tip

For local campaigns, always use local tracking numbers. A familiar area code improves credibility and response rates.

Channels you can place tracking numbers on

  • Google Ads call extensions to measure calls driven directly by your ads
  • Your website to capture every call and tie it back to the session that drove it
  • Facebook call ads to track call volume per campaign or ad set
  • Print media to measure response rates from direct mail, billboards, or radio
  • Directories and listings to assign a unique number to each listing

Set up call tracking numbers

  1. Go to Tracking > Numbers

    Log into the app and click Tracking > Numbers. Select the type of channel(s) you wish to track.

  2. Select your number type and calculate your pool

    • Under Country & Type, select your preferred number type (for example Local or Toll-Free).
    • Next to Quantity, click Estimate from traffic.
    • Insert your peak hourly visitors.
    • Let Nimbata generate your recommended pool size.
    • Click Use pool to apply it.

  3. Finalise and order your numbers

    Confirm the recommended pool size is shown in Quantity. Fill out the rest of your number preferences and click Finish.

Your tracking numbers are now ready to be assigned to a call flow.

Detailed guide: Number pools: Calculate your pool size
Detailed guide: Managing numbers: Assign a call flow

Tracking and destination numbers

Nimbata uses two different types of phone numbers to power call tracking. Understanding the difference helps you set up tracking correctly and avoid routing issues.

Tracking numbers

Tracking numbers are the numbers your customers see and call. They are provisioned by Nimbata and used exclusively for tracking. They:

  • Are assigned to pages, listings, campaigns, or sources
  • Capture attribution data like source, medium, and campaign
  • Forward calls to one or more destination numbers
  • Appear in call logs, analytics, and reports

Destination numbers

Destination numbers are your actual business phone numbers. They receive calls forwarded from tracking numbers. They:

  • Can be mobile, landline, VoIP, or call center numbers
  • Do not track attribution on their own
  • Can be reused across multiple tracking numbers
  • Control where calls are routed

How they work together

Tip

Every tracked call in Nimbata follows the same path: Caller > Tracking Number > Destination Number

This separation lets Nimbata track performance correctly while still delivering calls to your existing setup.

Detailed guide: Number types and channels
Detailed guide: Destination numbers: Add a destination

Add your first numbers

A tracking number is a unique phone number used to attribute calls to specific marketing campaigns, channels, or activities. These steps walk you through acquiring your first number and connecting it to your business.

Tip

Best for: New users setting up their Nimbata account for the first time.

  1. 1Start the setup

    Go to TrackingNumbers and click Add.

    Tracking Numbers

    Phone numbers that capture incoming calls and attribute them to a source.

    Search
    Group bySourceNone
    NameNumbersSourceCall Flow
    All online sources· 2 numbers
    Tracking Num Pool(415) 555-0131US · LocalAll online sourcesMain line
    Tracking Num Pool(415) 555-0132US · LocalAll online sourcesMain line
    Google Ads· 1 number
    Emergency Repairs(415) 555-0142US · LocalGoogle AdsMain line
    Tracking Numbers lists your numbers by source. Click Add (1) to get new ones.

  2. 1Choose your source

    On Choose a tracking source, pick where callers will find your number. The Online tab lists:

    • All online sources: catches all website visitors and tracks calls across multiple channels (Google Ads, Organic, Referral, etc.) using dynamic number insertion. Nimbata asks you to determine a pool size in the next step.
    • A specific online source under Available sources, such as Paid media, Organic search or Social: numbers dedicated to one source. Sources marked DNI can swap numbers on your website.

    The Offline tab holds the sources for offline placements like billboards, print ads, or business cards. Sources you have saved before are listed under Saved sources.

    Click Next to continue.

    OnlineOffline
    All online sourcesCatch all website visitorsDNI1
    Available sources
    Paid mediaAds and paid campaigns
    Organic searchUnpaid search traffic
    SocialSocial networks and posts
    Choose a tracking source: select All online sources (1) to track every website visitor, or a specific source.

  3. 1Pick your numbers

    On Acquire new tracking phone numbers, check the country and number type under Country & Type, then choose how to search under Search By (Area Code, City / Region, or State for the US and Province elsewhere). Set the Quantity, or select the numbers you want from the or pick from list menu next to it.

    Choosing a pool size (All online sources only): Nimbata prompts you to set a pool, the collection of numbers assigned to website visitors. Click Get from Google to let Nimbata sync with your analytics and recommend a size automatically, or click Estimate from traffic to use the built-in calculator if you’d prefer to enter your peak hourly visitors manually.

    Click Finish. If your project has no destination number yet, the button is Next instead, and a last step asks for the phone number that should receive calls from your new tracking number.

    Country & Type:
    US +1Local
    Features:
    SMS InSMS Out
    Search By:
    Area Code415
    Quantity:
    2or pick from list
    Get from GoogleEstimate from traffic
    Pick the type, how to search and how many numbers you want, then click Finish (1).

  4. Add a destination number

    Go to TrackingDestinations and click Add. Select your country, enter the phone number where calls should ring, give it a name, and click Add Destination.

    Destination Numbers

    Where incoming calls are sent when someone dials a tracking number.

    DestinationFriendly NameCall FlowIs Verified
    (415) 555-0110Main officeIn use
    (415) 555-0119Emergency lineIn use
    Destination Numbers: click Add (1) to add the number where calls should ring.

    Note

    SHORTCUT: Tick Create a simple call flow for [number] during this step to automatically set up call routing for your new numbers at the same time.

Your tracking numbers are ready. To start receiving calls, make sure your numbers are assigned to a call flow.

Detailed guide: Build a call flow

Add more numbers

Once your initial setup is running, you may need to add more numbers to handle traffic spikes or to track a new marketing source. There are two ways to do this.

Tip

If you’re setting up your first tracking numbers, start with Number types and channels instead.

Option A: add numbers to an existing pool

Use this when you need to expand an existing pool, for example during a traffic spike that requires more numbers to maintain accurate attribution.

  1. Find the pool

    Go to Tracking > Numbers and locate the pool you want to expand.

  2. 1Add numbers to the group

    Click the + button (Add tracking number(s) to this group) at the far right of the pool’s bar, and follow the prompts. A pool that is too small for session-level tracking shows an Add numbers button there instead.

    NameNumbersCall Flow
    All online sources Pool· 2 numbers
    Tracking Num Pool(415) 555-0131US · LocalMain line
    Tracking Num Pool(415) 555-0132US · LocalMain line
    Each pool's bar has a + button (1) that adds numbers to that pool.

Option B: create a new tracking source

Use this when you’re launching a new campaign or want to track a brand-new source separately.

  1. Start the setup

    • Go to TrackingNumbers.
    • Click Add.
    • Choose where you want to place your tracking numbers.
    • Click Next.

  2. 1Calculate your pool size

    • Click Estimate from traffic and enter your peak hourly visitors, OR
    • Click Get from Google to pull the data automatically from GA4.

    Then click Use pool to apply the recommended size.

    Enter your peak hourly visitors, check the recommended pool size, then click Use pool (1).

  3. Choose your numbers and finish

    Select your preferred area code, pick numbers from the list, and click Finish.

  4. Name your numbers

    Click a number’s name to edit it inline, then click the green check icon to save.

    To rename multiple numbers at once, tick their checkboxes and click Modify number name (the pencil icon).

Your new tracking numbers are ready. Assign them to a call flow to start receiving calls.

Detailed guide: Managing numbers: Assign a call flow
Detailed guide: Number pools: Calculate your pool size

Request numbers that are not listed

Request numbers from the Nimbata team when the tracking numbers you need aren’t available in the app: for example, if a specific area code is unavailable or you need help provisioning numbers for a new project.

  1. 1Open the request form

    Click the question mark icon in the top-right corner of the Nimbata app, then select Submit a request.

    • Help Center
    • Submit a request1
    • Chat with support
    The question mark icon opens the help menu. Select Submit a request (1).

  2. Fill in the request details

    • Subject line: include the number of numbers needed, the area name, area code, and project name.
    • Request type: always select Tracking number not available.
    • Priority: Low, Normal, High, or Urgent.
    • Description: add any specifics not covered by the subject line.
    • Attachments: optional.

  3. Submit the request

    Click Submit, or press Enter while in the Description field. You receive both an in-app notification and an email confirming your request has been received.

The Nimbata team takes care of the rest, and you are notified once your numbers are ready.

When you cannot get a number

If you’re unable to add new tracking numbers, there are two common reasons to check.

Outstanding payments

Location mismatch

  • You can only request tracking numbers from the same country or region where your business (or your client’s business) is registered.
  • Confirm that the location you’re requesting numbers for matches your account’s registered location.

Once both are confirmed, you should be able to add new tracking numbers without any issue.

Detailed guide: Request numbers that are not listed