Seeds
Should data pipelines be real-time or batch?
Real-time for operational needs (live dashboards, alerts), batch for cost efficiency with high volumes. WordPress plugins typically real-time—events sent to warehouse within seconds via API...
Is Google Analytics a data pipeline?
No. GA4 aggregates data into reports, discards raw events. True pipeline stores every event permanently in warehouse you own. GA4 = quick reporting. Warehouse pipeline...
What does a data pipeline cost?
Enterprise: $5K-20K/month (engineers, infrastructure, maintenance). WordPress: $159/month plugin + $10-50/month BigQuery storage = ~$200/month total. WordPress approach democratizes data infrastructure—SMBs access enterprise capabilities at 1/50th...
How do I monitor if my data pipeline is working?
Check: events appearing in warehouse within minutes of site activity, event volumes matching expected traffic, no error logs from API calls. WordPress plugins provide dashboard...
Should I use ETL or ELT for data pipelines?
Modern best practice: ELT (Extract, Load, Transform). Store raw events in warehouse first, transform via SQL as needed for analysis. Preserves flexibility—can re-process data differently...
What's the difference between client-side and server-side capture?
Client-side: JavaScript in browser (can be blocked by ad blockers, 30-40% loss). Server-side: code executes on server before page renders (unblockable, complete data). Pipeline readiness...
Can I buy historical customer data?
No. Historical behavioral data can only be accumulated over time. You can't purchase 3 years of your customers' journey patterns—it only exists by capturing data...
What's the fastest path to better tracking data?
Install WordPress server-side plugin, connect GA4 via OAuth, connect Facebook CAPI, place test order, verify data appears—done in 2-4 hours. Fastest path avoids GTM entirely....
Should I start over or fix what I have?
Keep client-side running while implementing server-side. Don't tear down existing tracking before new system proves reliable. Run both simultaneously for 2-4 weeks, compare data, then...
What should I prioritize first when fixing tracking?
Prioritize purchase event tracking first—it directly impacts revenue attribution and ROAS calculations. Then add_to_cart and begin_checkout for funnel analysis. Page views and other engagement events...
How do I audit my current tracking setup?
Compare three data sources for the same period: WooCommerce orders (truth), GA4 conversions, and ad platform conversions (Facebook, Google Ads). Discrepancies reveal what's blocked by...
What's the first step to fix my tracking?
Audit your current data loss: compare GA4 reported conversions to WooCommerce actual orders. If WooCommerce shows 100 orders but GA4 shows 65, you have 35%...