Setting up a server Google Tag Manager container can seem daunting at first, but it is a crucial step in utilizing server-side tagging. This article will walk you through the steps to set up a new server container.
Before you begin, make sure you have a Tag Manager account, a web container or Google tag as a data source, and a Google Analytics 4 property. It is also recommended to have a subdomain for your server environment.
The automatic provisioning setup is the easiest way to deploy a server container. Open Google Tag Manager and create a new container, selecting “Server” as the container type. Click “Automatically provision tagging server,” choose or create a billing account, and Google will deploy a tagging server onto App Engine with a testing configuration. The Default URL will be automatically generated, which you can check to see if your server works.
If you want more control over the deployment, you can use scripted deployment or manual deployment options. The scripted deployment requires running a shell script, while manual deployment allows you to deploy the Docker image in any Docker environment that allows public HTTP access. Keep in mind that these options can get very involved and may incur additional costs.
In conclusion, setting up a server Google Tag Manager container may take some effort, but it is a necessary step in utilizing server-side tagging. With the automatic provisioning setup, you can easily deploy a tagging server onto App Engine with a testing configuration. However, you can use the scripted or manual deployment options if you want more control over the deployment.
