How to Host Google Analytics Locally with Analytify?
Analytify can host the Google Analytics script on your own server. Open Analytify Settings, click the Advanced tab, turn on Host Google Analytics Locally, and save. Most websites otherwise load scripts and libraries for services like Google Analytics from third-party servers such as Google’s.
However, this knowledge-based article will explore how Analytify lets you host Google Analytics locally.
By doing so, you can optimize your website’s load times, address caching issues, and overcome potential challenges posed by ad blockers.
Host Google Analytics Locally (TOC):
The Problem with Third-Party Servers
Hosting Google Analytics on Google’s servers has three drawbacks: latency, limited control over browser caching, and exposure to AdBlockers.
- Latency: Every millisecond counts in the online world. Fetching the Google Analytics libraries from Google’s servers adds milliseconds to your page load time.
- Browser Caching: Google’s cache settings for their Analytics libraries may not align with your optimal settings, preventing you from fully leveraging browser caching.
- AdBlockers: The bane of analytics! AdBlockers can prevent Google Analytics from tracking user interactions, giving you an incomplete data picture.
Why Host Google Analytics Locally (Benefits)
Hosting Google Analytics locally gives you faster page loads, more control over browser caching, and a script file that Analytify renames automatically every 24 hours.
1. Optimizing Page Load Times
Hosting Google Analytics locally with Analytify can optimize page load times. Google Analytics scripts placed on third-party servers can slow page loading. With local hosting, you get control over the servers, speeding up the entire process. By reducing website load time by milliseconds, you improve user experience and impact search engine rankings.
2. Leverage Browser Caching
Using browser caching helps optimize websites. When Google Analytics scripts are hosted externally, you might encounter issues with browser caching settings. You can resolve these caching issues by hosting Google Analytics locally with Analytify. This means that your website’s assets, including the analytics script, can be stored in the visitor’s browser cache, reducing the need to download them on subsequent visits and improving page load times.
3. Automatic File Updating
AdBlockers are commonly used browser extensions that can block scripts and content from third-party domains, including Google Analytics. Hosting Google Analytics locally with Analytify addresses this challenge.
Analytify automatically updates the file, including its name, every 24 hours. If an AdBlocker blocks one version of the script, the file has a different name the next day. This can help you gather analytics data when visitors use these extensions.
Host Google Analytics Locally with Analytify (4 Easy Steps)
Setting up local hosting with Analytify takes four steps: install and activate Analytify, open the Advanced tab in Settings, turn on Host Google Analytics Locally, and save.
Step 1: Install and Activate Analytify
If you haven’t already, download and install Analytify by going to the WordPress plugins section on your WordPress dashboard. Read more: How To Install and Activate Analytify.
Step 2: You’ve Activated Analytify – What Now?
Once Analytify is up and running, navigate to Analytify Settings >> Advanced tab.
Step 3: Scroll Down to “Host Google Analytics Locally” Button
Within the Advanced tab, scroll down and find the Host Google Analytics Locally button. Toggle on this option.
Step 4: Save the Settings
After enabling the local analytics option with Analytify, scroll down the page and click on Save Changes.
All done! Analytify will now start hosting Google Analytics locally on your domain/server.
Pro Tips for Local Analytics
- Regularly Check Your Logs: Ensure that tracking is functioning as expected.
- Monitor AdBlocker Reports: Monitor your analytics to see if the AdBlocker bypass feature works as intended.
Conclusion
With Analytify, people who are not tech experts can host Google Analytics locally. You’ll improve page load times, have more control over caching, and sidestep AdBlockers.
So why wait?
Turn on Host Google Analytics Locally in Analytify to serve the script from your own server.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Analytify’s support team.