Configuring Server-Side Tagging
The setup process itself takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, though it may take slightly longer due to some background processes and configurations on our end.
Step 1: Add a custom domain
Let's begin by adding your custom domain to Connectify. Click on the '+ Add Domain' icon located at the top right corner of the dashboard. Choose 'Server-Side Tagging' from the product options. Enter the domain you wish to connect (excluding 'www') in the domain name field. You can either enter your preferred subdomain or use the default subdomain (connectify.yourcustomdomain.com). Finally, click 'Create Domain' to add it.
Power User Tip: Create an organization at no cost to manage your domains more efficiently and share them with colleagues. For more information, visit the organization page within the Connectify app.
Step 2: Add the necessary DNS records
Server-side tagging routes measurement traffic through a custom subdomain (e.g., sst.yourdomain.com). We link this subdomain to our server using DNS records. Why: the traffic becomes first-party, making data more reliable, pages load faster, ad-blockers and browser restrictions have less impact, and we can centrally enforce privacy/consent before events are sent to analytics and advertising platforms.
Add a CNAME record with the Name: connectify and the Value: eu-proxy.connectify.tech. Additionally, create a TXT record with the Name: _dnsauth.connectify and a custom value specific to your setup, which can be found under domain settings or by clicking on 'Manage Domain Settings' within the server-side tagging overview for this domain.
Step 3: Select your connectify plan
In the status overview under Step 2, you can manage or add a plan to your domain. Start with a free plan or opt for a paid option for your server-side tagging setup. Be aware that the starter plan will stop processing after 7,500 requests. You can monitor usage actively within your server-side tagging dashboard under your connected domain.
Step 4: Manage your GTM server tag
Set up a new container in Google Tag Manager by entering a name like www.connectify.tech SST. Select 'Server' as the target platform and proceed by clicking 'Create.'
Begin by setting up your Google Tag Manager and select 'Tagserver manual setup.' After choosing this option, a container configuration will be provided in a text format. Copy this text and return to the Connectify Dashboard. In the status overview under step 3, select 'Manage GTM server tag.' Paste the tag you copied from Google Tag Manager and click 'Save server tag.'
Step 5: A little bit of coffee
Congratulations on successfully connecting the container. Now, we'll handle the server setup in the background, which may take 1 to 2 hours. To verify completion, navigate to the newly created subdomain for your server-side tagging. If you encounter our styled 400 bad request page, it indicates that the setup is complete and ready for use.
Frequently Asked Questions
A request is a single data call that is sent when something happens on a website. For example a page view, a button click or a purchase. Each tracked action counts as one request.
Requests are not counted per visitor, but per action. More interactions and measurements result in more requests being used.
Ecommerce websites and highly interactive sites generally use more requests than simple informational websites.
Absolutely! Connectify is designed to complement your existing tracking setup. Whether you use Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or other tracking tools, you can continue using them while leveraging the benefits of server-side tagging.
Server-side tagging allows you to send tracking data through your own server instead of relying on the user’s browser. This improves data accuracy, enhances privacy compliance, and ensures better ad attribution. It also reduces data loss due to browser restrictions and ad blockers.
We’ve made Connectify as simple as possible. If you’re familiar with Google Tag Manager, setting up Connectify is straightforward. For advanced configurations, we provide documentation and support to guide you through the process.
Yes! Connectify integrates seamlessly with major advertising platforms like Google Ads, Meta (Facebook & Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat. It also supports custom integrations through Google Tag Manager.
