Understanding client-side tracking: the traditional approach

Before diving into server-side tracking, it’s important to understand the traditional method most websites have used for years: client-side tracking.

Client-side tracking works through JavaScript code that runs in your visitor’s browser. When someone visits your website, this code loads tracking pixels (like the Meta Pixel or Google Analytics tags) that collect data about what the visitor does – pages they view, products they click on, purchases they make. This data is then sent directly from the user's browser to advertising platforms and analytics tools.

For years, this approach worked well. It was relatively easy to implement and gave businesses insights into visitor behavior. But today’s digital landscape has changed dramatically:

• Around 30-40% of internet users now have ad blockers installed
• Browser privacy features actively block tracking cookies
• Privacy regulations require obtaining consent before tracking
• Mobile users often browse with restricted tracking settings

The result?

Most businesses are losing 30-40% of their valuable conversion data. This means your marketing decisions are based on incomplete information, leading to inefficient ad spend and missed opportunities.

What is server-side tracking?

Server-side tracking moves data collection from the visitor’s browser to your web server. While regular tracking uses code running in your visitors’ browsers, server-side tracking creates a direct connection between your server and marketing platforms.

Utilizing first-party data in conjunction with server-side tracking enhances data accuracy, ownership, and compliance with privacy regulations.

Server side tagging relies on processing requests on a controlled server, offering greater data management and privacy.

Learn more about what server-side tracking is →

How server-side tracking works

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Someone visits your website
2. Your server captures what they do (viewing pages, adding products to cart, making purchases) and organizes this information as event data
3. This event data goes to a tracking server
4. The tracking server sends this information to your marketing platforms

With TrackBee, there's also data enrichment and deduplication happening during this process – we'll cover these important benefits in more detail later.

Immediate benefits of server-side tracking

This simple change in where tracking happens brings big benefits:

• Your tracking works even when visitors use ad blockers or other scripts
• Your data quality gets much better
• Your website loads faster without browser-based tracking scripts
• You build shopper profiles across different devices and sessions

For Shopify store owners, this means better data for smarter marketing decisions and more sales from your advertising budget.

Why server-side tagging is different from server-side tracking

While server-side tracking focuses on collecting and processing user data on a server, server-side tagging is another concept which often causes confusion. Let’s explain it!

Server-side tagging specifically refers to the management and deployment of marketing tags through a server-based container system. Unlike server-side tracking which handles the data collection process, server-side tagging is about how you organize, configure, and manage various marketing tags your business uses.

Server side tagging tools enhance data collection speed and security while addressing challenges such as cookie restrictions and ad blockers. They require specialized technical support and can impact data accuracy, making them advantageous yet demanding options for businesses navigating privacy compliance and data management.

In a server-side tagging setup:

You would need to configure and maintain a server-side tagging server - Create container configurations for each marketing platform

Set up complex rules for when and how tags should fire - Manage the entire tag ecosystem through a dedicated interface

That sounds COMPLEX.

TrackBee focuses on server-side tracking because this approach provides the data quality benefits without requiring the technical complexity. This makes it much easier for Shopify merchants to implement and maintain their tracking solution without needing specialized technical knowledge.

When evaluating tracking solutions, it’s important to understand this distinction to avoid solutions that might be unnecessarily complex for your needs.

Client-side vs server-side tracking: key differences

Understanding the differences between these approaches helps explain why server-side tracking has become so important in 2025.

How client-side tracking works

Client-side tracking happens in the visitor’s browser:

1. Someone visits your online store
2. Code loads in their browser
3. This code tracks what they do
4. The data goes directly to platforms like Meta or Google Analytics from the user's browser

Limitations of client-side tracking

This worked well before, but now faces major problems:

• Ad blockers stop tracking scripts from loading
• Privacy settings delete cookies too quickly
• Browser rules block third-party tracking
• Multiple tracking scripts slow down your site

How server-side tracking solves these problems

Server-side tracking changes where tracking happens:

• Ad blockers don’t matter since tracking doesn’t rely on browser scripts
• You capture data that would otherwise be lost
• Browser restrictions have little impact on your data collection
• Your site runs faster with fewer scripts loading

Additionally, using dedicated servers for data collection enhances control over data sharing with various marketing tools, thereby allowing better privacy and quality of data transmission to these platforms. This managed service solution significantly improves data control while reducing the burden on businesses.

Side-by-side comparison

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‍See the full comparison between client-side and server-side tracking →

The 9 key benefits of server-side tracking

In 2025, tracking how people use your website has become harder than ever. Ad blockers, privacy rules, and browser settings are blocking your tracking tools from collecting important data. This guide explores server-side tracking – a better way to collect customer data that’s changing the game for online businesses by enhancing data control.

1. Complete data collection

Most stores lose 30-40% of their conversion data with regular tracking. Server-side tracking captures this missing information, giving you the full picture of how your marketing performs.

With TrackBee, you'll recover the conversion data that would otherwise be lost due to ad blockers, browser restrictions, and privacy settings. This means better insights and smarter budget allocation.

2. Enhanced customer profiles

Beyond preventing data loss, server-side tracking builds comprehensive customer profiles that work across devices, browsers, and longer time periods.

TrackBee's Shopper Profiles feature continuously enriches customer data, creating rich profiles with behavior patterns, preferences, and purchase history. This enables more sophisticated marketing strategies and better personalization.

3. Superior ad targeting

When advertising platforms receive complete data, they optimize your campaigns more effectively. The difference is significant - TrackBee users like Petrol Industries have seen their ROAS increase by 100% for Meta and 20% for Google Ads after implementation.

With more accurate data, your ad algorithms perform better, leading to improved audience targeting and more effective ad placements. TrackBee even lets you target Meta campaigns specifically to new or returning customers.

4. Improved email marketing performance

Server-side tracking captures more abandonment events, significantly boosting your email marketing effectiveness. TrackBee's integration with Klaviyo has helped stores see up to 213% increases in abandonment revenue.

This happens because TrackBee tracks 171% more events than standard tracking and can identify customers across devices, sending more re-engagement emails via Klaviyo that reach shoppers who would otherwise be missed.

5. Faster website performance

When you move tracking to your server instead of the visitor's browser, your website simply loads faster. Google found that 54% of people leave a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. For online stores, this directly impacts your sales.

• Running fewer scripts in browsers: Your customers' browsers have less work to do
• Making fewer requests: The browser doesn't need to call out to as many tracking services
• Processing data more efficiently: Information is handled by servers that are closer to the visitor
• Stopping the annoying "flicker": You know that jumping effect when a page loads? That happens less

6. Easy to install and maintenance-free

While traditional server-side tracking is complex and technical, TrackBee has made it accessible to everyone. You can be up and running in just 5 minutes, with no technical expertise required.

The system is completely maintenance-free - TrackBee keeps itself updated automatically. For agencies managing multiple Shopify clients, this means you can upgrade several stores to server-side tracking in a single day without lengthy technical processes.

7. Shopify-friendly integration

Many tracking solutions require removing or replacing existing scripts, causing conflicts with Shopify apps. TrackBee is different - it's built specifically for the Shopify ecosystem.

Instead of replacing your existing tracking, TrackBee works alongside it. This means no conflicts with your current setup, no disruption to your store functionality, and immediate data quality improvements without the risks.

8. Immediate impact on your data

Most tracking solutions require weeks before you see results. With TrackBee, you'll notice significant improvements within just 24-48 hours of implementation.

These immediate benefits include more registered conversions in your ad platforms, improved Event Match Quality scores in Meta, complete Google Enhanced Conversion coverage, and more tracked events for your Klaviyo flows. Quick results mean faster ROI on your tracking investment.immediately.

9. Future-proof

Privacy regulations are becoming stricter, browsers increasingly restrict tracking, and third-party cookies will soon disappear completely. This puts traditional methods of data tracking and measuring conversions under serious pressure.

Google's plan to remove third-party cookies from Chrome, Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention, and stricter privacy legislation are just the beginning. For Shopify stores that need reliable data, a robust tracking solution becomes crucial.

TrackBee offers a future-proof solution to these challenges:

• Bypasses ad-blockers and ITP: Server-side tracking avoids most browser restrictions that block conversions
• Collects 30-40% more data: Even with strict privacy rules, you still collect more complete data
• Cross-device tracking: Recognizes the same user across different devices, even without third-party cookies
• Constantly updated: TrackBee's dedicated team of developers works continuously to stay ahead of new privacy developments

Explore all 9 benefits of server-side tracking in detail →

Server-side tracking for Shopify stores

Shopify store owners face unique challenges when trying to implement advanced tracking. Most server-side tracking options need technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance that smaller teams don't have.

Why TrackBee is the ideal solution for Shopify

This is why TrackBee has become the top choice for Shopify stores that want server-side tracking without the headaches.

TrackBee offers several Shopify-specific advantages:

• Works with your existing apps: TrackBee runs alongside all your Shopify apps without conflicts, improving your tracking without replacing what you already have.
• Made specifically for Shopify: Unlike general solutions, TrackBee is built just for Shopify, ensuring perfect compatibility.
• No technical skills needed: You don't need developers or experts – TrackBee can be set up in minutes by anyone.
• Fast results: While other solutions might take weeks to show value, TrackBee delivers visible improvements within 24-48 hours.

How TrackBee's combined tracking approach works

TrackBee uses a unique approach that combines the best of both client-side and server-side tracking:

• Best of both worlds: TrackBee combines client-side and server-side tracking with automatic deduplication, maximizing data quality without creating duplicate events.
• Gets better over time: TrackBee builds Shopper Profiles that become more valuable as time passes, enriching your customer data and improving your marketing.

Real results from Shopify stores using TrackBee

Shopify stores using TrackBee have seen amazing results – like Petrol Industries, which doubled their return on Meta ads after implementation.

Another store, HoneyBalm, saw a 213% increase in abandonment revenue after connecting TrackBee with their email marketing platform.

How to implement server-side tracking

Traditional server-side tracking usually requires:

• Setting up and managing your own servers
• Deep technical knowledge
• Complex integration with Google Tag Manager
• Constant maintenance and updates

This complexity is why server-side tracking was mostly used by large companies with dedicated tech teams – and why most Shopify stores stuck with less effective methods.

TrackBee's simplified implementation process

TrackBee has simplified this with an easy four-step process:

1. Create an account: Sign up for TrackBee (takes about a minute)
2. Connect your store: Follow the simple steps to link your Shopify store
3. Install the app: The guided process installs TrackBee on your store
4. Connect your marketing platforms: Link your ad accounts like Meta and Google Ads

The entire setup takes about 5 minutes, and you'll start seeing better data within 1-2 days. Once installed, TrackBee works automatically – no maintenance needed.

Technical requirements for TrackBee implementation

Unlike other server-side tracking solutions, TrackBee has minimal technical requirements:

• A Shopify store (works with all Shopify plans)
• Admin access to your store
• Access to your advertising platform accounts

That's it – no coding knowledge, server setup, or ongoing maintenance required.

How to choose the right server-side tracking solution

When selecting a server-side tracking solution, consider these key factors:

• Ease of implementation: How much technical knowledge is required?
• Compatibility: Does it work with your existing systems?
• Maintenance requirements: How much ongoing work will it need?
• Cost structure: Is it affordable for your business size?
• Data ownership: Who controls your data?
• Support quality: Is help available when you need it?

For most Shopify stores, TrackBee offers the best balance of these factors, with easy implementation, full compatibility, minimal maintenance, affordable pricing, complete data ownership, and excellent support.

Common server-side tracking mistakes to avoid

Even with the right solution, there are pitfalls to watch out for:

• Duplicate events: Make sure your solution prevents the same event from being counted twice.
• Missing important events: Confirm that all critical customer actions are being tracked.
• Poor integration with marketing platforms: Ensure your data is formatted correctly for each platform. TrackBee works with all major platforms.
• Ignoring data privacy: Make sure your solution helps with, not hinders, privacy compliance
• Not testing the implementation: Verify that your tracking is working as expected

TrackBee's automated setup process helps avoid these common mistakes, ensuring your implementation is effective from day one.

Take your tracking to the next level

In today's challenging digital world, server-side tracking has become a must-have for serious online businesses. The benefits of complete data collection, better targeting, faster site performance, and future-proof compliance make it the clear choice for anyone who wants to get the most from their marketing budget.

For Shopify store owners, TrackBee offers the easiest way to implement server-side tracking without technical complexity or ongoing maintenance. With a 5-minute setup and visible results within 48 hours, there's no reason to keep using incomplete data.

Getting started with TrackBee

Ready to see what complete, high-quality tracking data can do for your business? Get started with TrackBee today and join the growing number of successful Shopify stores that have switched to our server-side tracking and data enrichment solution.

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