Server-Side Tracking vs. Pixel Monitoring - Which is Better?
A number of e-commerce services are turning to server-side monitoring as a means to boost their information collection processes. While it requires much more technical knowledge than routine GTM and might present extra prices, it can lead to better precision and even more reliable data


Pixel tracking utilizes a piece of code to register conversions on your internet site. It's very easy to establish and less prone to ad blockers.

1. Extra exact information
The conventional method of tracking conversions on a website, using pixels, is having trouble with transforming web browser privacy plans. This suggests that the information being sent to Google Ads, Facebook Manager and various other platforms is less exact than it must be.

Server-side tracking is a more safe and secure choice that assists to bypass these restrictions, as it's filled from your very own domain and dealt with as first-party code, indicating it's less likely to be influenced by ad blockers or other protection procedures. This supplies a lot more precise data and a much more complete image of individual journeys throughout channels.

In addition, this sort of tracking allows organizations to track conversions outside of the website, such as call and in-store check outs, which can be difficult for pixel-based monitoring. This flexibility offers marketing experts much more ownership over the information they send out, and makes it less complicated to abide by numerous data laws. It's likewise a lot much less susceptible to fraudulence, as it's more difficult for illegal actors to adjust the system by changing the postback link.

2. Better control over information.
Server-side tracking permits companies to accumulate and enhance information before sending it to third-party analytics/advertising platforms. This improves data efficiency and accuracy, which can aid online marketers make even more informed advertising and marketing decisions.

Standard pixel tracking counts on JavaScript tracking codes that are positioned in site site visitors' browsers. These tracking codes are commonly blocked by ad blockers, which can cause data collection disruptions and inaccurate results. Server-side monitoring enables services to bypass these constraints and offer precise, consistent information that is less at risk to interference.

This type of tracking additionally enables businesses to track conversions that happen beyond the site, like telephone call and in-store acquisitions. This is important considering that new personal privacy policies such as Apple's Intelligent Tracking Avoidance (ITP) restrict the shelf life of cookie-based tracking pixels to 7 days. This is a crucial reason that S2S is more reputable for organizations seeking to adapt to these modifications.

3. Much less vulnerable to fraud
Server-side tracking allows organizations to adjust data hauls before it gets to third party endpoints, improving safety and security and privacy. This is specifically vital as different browsers and platforms progressively alter just how they take care of cookies. For example, in iOS 14, Safari will only provide first-party cookie information and will certainly not permit pixel-based monitoring. Making use of server-side tracking, you can bypass these limitations and continue to track conversions that happened outside of your web site.

Furthermore, server-side monitoring allows you to record customer information straight by yourself web servers. This eliminates dependence on third parties, which can be prone to breaches and privacy violations.

A server-side tracking system is a set of instructions that tells your site's server what events to record. This data is then sent to analytics tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Business. It's also used to trigger event-based advertisements, such as retargeting. On the other hand, pixel monitoring is a different approach that makes use of a tiny item of code on your web page to gather data from individuals.

4. Simpler to execute
Server-side tracking is a data collection procedure that takes place on the internet site's very own web server, bypassing web browser limitations. This means that information accumulated by the website/app is first sent out to the web server where it's processed and then forwarded to analytics devices like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel.

The advantage of this technique is that it minimizes the range of data management and offers companies a lot more control over transmission, making it typically more dependable. Therefore, it's much less susceptible to data challenges brought on by points like a damaged connection or an active advertisement blocker being set up.

With OWOX cross-channel marketing analytics BI's Server-Side Tracking, your business can accumulate real-time conversion information in the same way that you would certainly with pixels or a cookie, yet this is then passed directly to your advertising and marketing devices on the server. This allows you to have even more precise data and aids make sure compliance with personal privacy guidelines such as GDPR. Furthermore, it also stays clear of the tracking limitations enforced by web browsers and ad blockers.