Server-side analytics collects usage data directly from the server, bypassing the client altogether. This method provides a more accurate reflection of user interactions, as it is not impacted by ad blockers or browsers that don’t support JavaScript. Server-side analytics is an excellent approach for more sensitive data and achieving full control over what is logged and when.
To capture analytics on the server-side, you need to determine specific endpoints or server events you want to monitor. When these events are triggered by a user’s actions, the information is logged accordingly for later analysis.
Implementing Server-Side Analytics in NextJS
[Next.js](https://nextjs.org/) is a popular framework for developing React applications, it provides inbuilt server-side rendering support and hence, naturally aligns with server-side analytics. Let's delve into the steps involving the implementation of server-side analytics with NextJS.Firstly, you need to set up an analytics service for your project. Examples of these services are Google Analytics, Amplitude, or your custom-built solution. The subsequent step involves setting HTTP headers to send the analytics data from the server to the analytics platform. Additionally, in the API routes or any server-side rendered pages in your NextJS application, you could log data or events that would be sent back to the server.
Once your data is collected and stored, the next phase is analyzing and making sense of the data. Tools like Google Data Studio or Tableau can help visualize the data in a more digestible manner, thereby aiding in uncovering trends or insights.
Why NextJS is the Right Choice for Server-Side Analytics
NextJS shines in this domain because it supports server-side rendering out of the box, meaning you can easily implement server-side analytics without the need for additional libraries or frameworks. This trait, coupled with its dynamic routing capability, makes it easy to tailor and track user interactions per page.
Additionally, NextJS's API routes facilitate creating serverless functions, which can be used for logging the data back to the server.
To speed up the process of building NextJS applications equipped with server-side analytics, consider using a pre-configured NextJS boilerplate such as **PullTheCode**.
Wrapping up
Understanding your users' interactions is key to make the right decisions for the growth of your web app. While client-side analytics provides a portion of the user interaction story, implementing server-side analytics with NextJS gives a more comprehensive view of the situation.
If you are embarking on a new NextJS project, consider using a tailored solution like [PullTheCode](https://pullthecode.com), a NextJS boilerplate aimed to accelerate your development process. It comes packed with features like SEO and Blog integration, Stripe payments, SQL with Prisma, SSO with PassportJS, Google Analytics, and more. Plus, PullTheCode offers weekly updates to stay ahead of the curve, providing you a solid foundation for your web app!