Server-side tracking
Server-side tracking, set up properly
Server-side Google Tag Manager moves tracking from the browser to a server you control. Done well, it gives you more resilient data and more control over what each platform receives. Done badly, it just adds cost.
5.0 on Clutch · 18 verified reviews
Problems we fix
Data lost to browsers and blockers
Browser restrictions and ad blockers stopping tags before they send anything.
Journeys across domains
Customers moving between your site and a third-party checkout, with tracking lost in between.
Duplicate conversions
Browser and server events both counted, without deduplication.
Too much data shared
Every platform receiving everything, with no control over personal data.
A container nobody maintains
A server set up once by an agency, with no monitoring or documentation.
Hosting costs that crept up
Servers sized by guesswork rather than traffic.
What the work involves
- Server containers hosted on Google Cloud Run or Stape
- Custom first-party domains, including several domains on one container
- Conversion APIs for Meta, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI Ads
- Server-to-server transaction and affiliate feeds
- Deduplication, testing and documentation
How it's priced
Most jobs are estimated in hours before we start. Small fixes are billed in 30-minute increments.
Everything is billed at the same £75 hourly rate, cheaper in blocks. No retainer, no contract, and everything is built in your own accounts. See pricing.
Who you'll actually work with
Done by a specialist, not passed to a junior
You deal with the same senior specialist every time, whether that's a 30-minute fix or ten hours a month of support. That's the point of working this way: the experience, without paying for the layers around it.
- 15+ years in Google Ads, Merchant Center and analytics
- GA4, GTM, server-side tagging and conversion APIs
- White-label tracking work for agencies, plus direct clients
Server-side tracking questions
Do I need server-side tracking?
Not always. It pays off most with significant ad spend, journeys across several domains, or strict control over the data you share. We'll tell you honestly whether the gain justifies the setup and hosting.
Cloud Run or Stape?
Both work well. Cloud Run gives you full control inside your own Google Cloud account; Stape is simpler to manage. We'll recommend one based on your traffic and who will look after it.
Can one server container cover several domains?
Yes. We've set up a single container serving a main site and several regional checkout domains, with click IDs carried across.
Get it looked at
Book a free intro call and tell us what you need. We'll give you an estimate before anything starts.
Or email hello@assist-analytics.com