Cherry Seed

How long does GTM server-side tracking take to set up?

gtm setup time hours implementation developer time

Quick Answer

GTM server-side requires a cloud server (GCP/AWS), custom domain configuration, and rewriting all tags for server-side format. Initial setup takes days to weeks; ongoing maintenance is continuous. Third-party hosts simplify deployment to minutes but add monthly costs.

Full Answer

GTM server-side implementation involves multiple steps: setting up cloud infrastructure (Google Cloud Run, Stape, or TAGGRS), configuring your web container to send data to the server container, configuring the server container with tags for each destination, setting up custom domains for first-party cookies, and extensive testing in dual preview modes. Industry estimates put this at 50-120 hours of developer time.

Sources

Programmatic Access

GET https://seresa.io/wp-json/cherry-tree-by-seresa/v1/seeds/46

Cite This Answer

Cherry Tree by Seresa - https://seresa.io/seed/server-side-tracking-basics/gtm-server-side-setup-time