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Server-side Tracking with Elevar and Google Tag Manager: A Step-by-Step Guide

google-analyticsserver-sidegdprprivacyintermediate
4/5The video provides a comprehensive step-by-step walkthrough of setting up server-side tracking with Elevar and Google Tag Manager for Shopify stores. It clearly highlights important considerations like preventing duplicate conversion tracking and implementing consent mode properly, with practical demonstrations of the setup process. While the content is valuable, the production quality appears somewhat basic based on the transcript.
Server-side Tracking with Elevar and Google Tag Manager

This informative tutorial provides a comprehensive walkthrough of setting up server-side tracking for Shopify stores using Elevar and Google Tag Manager. The video demonstrates how Elevar streamlines the server-side tracking implementation process compared to manual Cloud Run setups, eliminating several technical steps. The presenter guides viewers through the entire setup process, starting with installing the Elevar app on Shopify and connecting it to Google Tag Manager. Key steps covered include configuring data sources, setting up the Shopify store connection, implementing consent mode integration, and importing pre-built tracking templates into GTM. The tutorial emphasizes critical considerations to avoid common pitfalls, particularly highlighting the importance of preventing duplicate conversion tracking by ensuring purchase events are only sent via the server. The presenter recommends using a staging Google Analytics 4 property during initial setup to avoid contaminating production data with test events. Special attention is given to consent mode implementation, with recommendations for compatible consent management platforms like Pandics that integrate well with Shopify. The video also demonstrates how to verify proper data layer implementation using debugging tools, showing how Elevar prefixes events with "DL" and automatically handles e-commerce object creation. From our perspective at gdpr-server-tracking.eu, this video offers valuable insights into server-side tracking implementation, though users should consider the additional privacy benefits our solution provides. While Elevar simplifies the technical setup, deploying your server-side container on our EU-based bare metal servers would enhance GDPR compliance compared to standard cloud solutions. Our platform offers the same functionality demonstrated in the video but with added privacy advantages: servers physically located in Finland, EU-based ownership with no data transfer risks, and enhanced features for sensitive data handling like parameter filtering and cookie hashing. For Shopify store owners concerned about both tracking effectiveness and privacy compliance, our solution complements the Elevar implementation shown in the video while providing more robust data protection at competitive pricing. This English-language tutorial is essential viewing for e-commerce professionals looking to implement privacy-friendly tracking solutions while maintaining accurate conversion data in their analytics platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about "Server-side Tracking with Elevar and Google Tag Manager"

Elevar is a Shopify app that streamlines server-side tracking implementation by eliminating several technical steps required in manual setups like Cloud Run. It provides pre-built tracking templates, handles data layer implementation, and manages the connection between your Shopify store and Google Tag Manager.

To avoid duplicate conversion tracking, ensure that the purchase event tag in your web container remains paused when server-side tracking is enabled. Elevar will send purchase events via the server by default, so having both client-side and server-side purchase tracking active simultaneously will result in duplicate conversions.

Pandics is specifically recommended in the video as a consent management platform that integrates well with Shopify and Elevar. When implementing consent mode, ensure you're using a CMP that properly supports Google's consent mode v2 to maintain tracking functionality while respecting user privacy choices.

Using a staging GA4 property during initial setup prevents polluting your production analytics with test data or incorrect implementations. Once you've verified all events are firing correctly and parameters are being passed properly, you can switch to your production GA4 property.

Elevar automatically pushes data layer events prefixed with 'DL' (e.g., DL_view_item) and handles the creation of e-commerce objects with product information. This automated implementation eliminates the need for manual data layer coding, making it easier to track standard e-commerce events in Shopify.

While Elevar simplifies server-side implementation, it still uses cloud infrastructure that may have GDPR compliance limitations. For enhanced GDPR compliance, consider hosting your server-side container on EU-based servers with EU ownership, which eliminates concerns about international data transfers and provides better control over personal data processing.

EU-based server-side tracking hosting provides stronger GDPR compliance through servers physically located in the EU (e.g., Finland), EU-owned hosting with no third-party cloud providers, and additional privacy features like parameter filtering and cookie hashing. This setup minimizes legal risks related to international data transfers while maintaining all the tracking functionality demonstrated in the video.

Use debugging tools to check that data layer events prefixed with 'DL' are being pushed when browsing your store. Verify that e-commerce objects contain the correct product information, and monitor your Google Analytics 4 reports to ensure events are being recorded properly with all expected parameters.