What is server side tracking code?

Server side tracking code allows you to natively track visits using a server side language such as ASP, ASP.NET or PHP.

What are the advantages?

Speed

You will be able to track visitors to your site that do not have JavaScript enabled in their browsers. In the installable case it will drastically improve the overall load-time of the page. JavaScript usually takes a few seconds to tag, depending on where it is placed in the page. With server side tracking, the visitor is tracked instantly, with a very low load time. When the webserver is on the same machine as WhosOn, or on a fast local network, then you will be looking at around 15 milliseconds for a normal track, and 30 for one that returns GeoIP information. For a remote server this extends to between 0.1 & 0.2 seconds with the difference between normal tracking & GeoIP negligable.

Versatility

When you use server side tracking, you also have more control over what is shown. The gateway has an option where it will return the Geo Location data of the visitor's IP address. When this is enabled, you can display the visitor's location in a nice greeting.

Custom data is also much easier to pass when using the server side tracking - you can pass along data on the Username, Visitor Contact Details, Revenue etc. Although all this is available with the JavaScript tracking, integration with your login engine gives a much easier tracking ability for logged in users.

Completeness

Due to the nature of server side tracking, you also get information on all the spiders that visit, whereas with JavaScript you won't get this data.

How does it work?

The server side tracking code sends an HTTP GET request to the WhosOn gateway, and the WhosOn Gateway responds with an XML document, which is parsed by the tracking code class. This document contains all the information that is necessary to do with the operator status, and if requested, the GeoIP information.

How do I set it up?

It is very easy to integrate the WhosOn code into your site - just go to the correct tab along the top, read the instructions for use, and download the correct library for whatever language you are using.

What can I pass?

Have a look at the parameters for the Server Side Tracking.

What information do I get back from the gateway?

See the XML Sample of what the gateway would return.

I need more information, where should I look?

For specific implementations of the Server Side Tracking look at our Implementations page.

For the general WhosOn help documents for server side tracking see WhosOn Web Help.