Datahash

Designing a Hybrid Deployment Architecture

Hybrid deployments employ a blend of client-side and server-side tracking tailored to the unique requirements of an organization. Typically, this approach allows you to harness the advantages of both methods while capturing a more comprehensive dataset. Hybrid deployments offer several key advantages:

• Attribution Management: Attribution can be established and updated through browser code (GTM, gtag.js).
• Sessionization: Sessionization can be generated using browser code (GTM, gtag.js).
• Geolocation Data: Geolocation data can be obtained through browser code (GTM, gtag.js).
• Google Ads Remarketing Conversions: Conversions for Google Ads Remarketing can be tracked through browser code (GTM, gtag.js).

For many businesses, these benefits are essential as they support crucial capabilities. However, it’s essential to be aware of the drawbacks of hybrid deployments, including the time required for setup, the impact on client-side performance due to the need for client-side code, and susceptibility to ad blockers.

Diverse Hybrid Deployment Approaches

There are three primary methods to establish a hybrid deployment, each with its trade-offs. We’ll illustrate these options with some examples:

• Option 1: Server-side with Client-side as Needed This deployment employs server-side tracking whenever client-side tracking isn’t necessary for attribution, remarketing, or geolocation data. It minimizes the impact on client-side performance and reduces data loss from ad blockers. However, it demands a substantial organizational commitment to server-side tracking, including training and maintenance.
• Option 2: Server-side Fallback for Ad Blockers In this setup, server-side tracking is utilized only when a client-side ad blocker is detected. This approach reduces data loss caused by ad blockers but still involves some impact on client-side performance.
• Option 3: Split Server-side and Client-side This method operates both tracking methods concurrently, with data deduplication in reporting. It allows for a direct comparison between client-side and server-side data collection. However, it requires reporting resources for deduplication and still affects client-side performance.

Introducing Datahash’s GA4 Hybrid Mode

If you find the array of options overwhelming, you’re in luck. Datahash has introduced a GA4 Hybrid Mode feature to streamline the migration to GA4, providing a one-step hybrid deployment solution.

With Datahash’s GA4 Hybrid Mode, you gain access to an implementation that combines client-side and server-side tracking to deliver comprehensive attribution data while minimizing frontend performance impact. This approach aligns with the first option mentioned above, focusing on server-side tracking with client-side components as needed.

Datahash’s integration simplifies the process of setting up a GA4 hybrid deployment. Instead of creating two separate connections and managing event deduplication, you can establish a single connection and activate hybrid mode. To learn more about Datahash’s GA4 Hybrid Mode, refer to the documentation.