If you’re running ads on Shopify, you’ve likely seen gaps in your tracking — especially for purchases.
Client-side tracking remains the most widely used — and often ideal — method for Shopify merchants. It powers critical integrations across GA4, Meta, and TikTok.
But in certain cases, client-side tracking can fall short — especially due to cookie restrictions and ad blockers.
That’s why many merchants are now adding server-side tracking to strengthen their setup, improve reliability, and protect their most important conversion data.
But once you decide to go server-side, one big question follows:
“Should I host it on Google Cloud — choose other hosting providers - or choose a simpler, fully managed setup?”
Here’s a quick clarification: server-side tracking needs a backend server to function. You can host it yourself on Google Cloud — or use a built-in solution like Analyzify’s, where hosting and maintenance are fully handled.
In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- What a Google Cloud setup involves
- When it makes sense
- When it’s more than you need
- And how Analyzify supports both — so you can choose confidently
Bonus: learn more about Server-Side Tracking for Shopify: Google Cloud vs. Analyzify!
When a Google Cloud Setup Does Make Sense
Hosting your server-side tracking on Google Cloud isn’t necessary for most merchants — but for some Shopify businesses, it’s exactly the right fit.
Here are the situations where a Google Cloud–based setup makes sense:
✅ You Need Full Infrastructure Control
If your brand requires strict control over where and how your customer data is processed — for example, due to legal, compliance, or internal policy requirements — a Google Cloud setup gives you full ownership of the server environment.
You (or Analyzify) can customize how data flows, where it’s stored, and what logic is applied before events are sent to platforms like GA4 or Meta.
✅ You Have Advanced Technical or Enterprise Requirements
This includes:
- Sending the same event to multiple destinations (e.g. GA4, a custom endpoint, a data warehouse)
- Creating custom rules for processing events based on language, region, or Shopify Markets
- Building a centralized tracking hub for multiple Shopify stores or domains
- Managing versioned tag releases or using advanced testing environments
If your store operates at scale or has a specialized tracking architecture, Google Cloud provides the flexibility you need — and Analyzify can build and maintain that setup for you.
✅ You’re Already Using Google Cloud for Infrastructure
If your business already runs part of its backend or analytics infrastructure on GCP (e.g. BigQuery, Firestore, Cloud Functions), it may be more efficient to host your tracking container there as well.
It simplifies your vendor stack and can help with data unification or internal DevOps workflows.
✅ You Have Developer Resources or a Tech Partner
Google Cloud setups are developer-level projects — even when implemented by Analyzify.
You don’t need to manage everything yourself, but if your team is technical or you’re already working with a data partner, you’ll be better positioned to maintain and scale this kind of setup effectively.
Why You Might Not Need It
While Google Cloud setups offer deep flexibility, they also bring complexity, cost, and ongoing management. For most Shopify merchants, these trade-offs aren’t necessary — because you can achieve highly accurate tracking without taking on the extra burden.
Here’s when a Google Cloud setup likely isn’t the right fit:
❌ You Want a Quick Setup Without Long-Term Maintenance
A Google Cloud implementation takes planning, coordination, and more time to get live. Even with Analyzify managing it, it’s a project.
If you’re looking to go live quickly — and don’t want to worry about infrastructure later — our built-in server-side tracking can be activated in 10 minutes and doesn’t require a cloud account or server configuration.
❌ You’re Prioritizing Cost Efficiency
Google Cloud typically adds $60–$90/month in hosting fees — and that’s before accounting for time spent by developers or team members managing the environment.
Analyzify’s built-in server-side tracking is included in your plan, with no surprise costs. It delivers over 98% tracking accuracy — with zero ongoing infrastructure concerns.
❌ You’re Using Standard Marketing Platforms Only
If you’re tracking purchases and events in GA4, Meta Ads, and TikTok — and you’re not building a multi-destination tracking pipeline — then you don’t need a custom server.
Analyzify’s built-in solution already covers all standard ecommerce tracking needs, fully optimized for Shopify’s structure.
❌ You Don’t Have a Developer on Your Team
A Google Cloud setup is still a technical project. While Analyzify handles the full setup and server configuration, long-term ownership typically involves more technical touchpoints — like interpreting logs, scaling infrastructure, or making custom changes as your setup evolves.
If you don’t have a developer — or prefer not to rely on one — you may find this setup heavier than necessary for your tracking needs.
What Analyzify Offers (Either Way)
Whether you need the flexibility of Google Cloud or prefer a faster, low-maintenance setup, Analyzify supports both options — and helps you choose the right one.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
✅ Built-In Server-Side Tracking (The Default for Most Merchants)
- Designed specifically for Shopify stores
- Setup in ~10 minutes — no developer or cloud account required
- Hosted and maintained entirely by Analyzify
- 98%+ tracking accuracy for GA4 purchase events
- Higher Event Match Quality (EMQ) scores for Meta and TikTok
- GDPR-compliant and integrated with Google Consent Mode
- Included in your Analyzify plan — no extra costs
It’s the ideal choice for merchants using GA4, Meta, and TikTok, who want accurate tracking without technical overhead.
Bonus: Learn more about:
- Meta Server-Side Tracking (Meta CAPI) for Shopify
- TikTok Server-Side Tracking for Shopify
- 10 Benefits of GA4 Server-Side Tracking for Shopify
✅ Google Cloud Server-Side Tracking (When You Need More Control)
- Fully implemented and managed by the Analyzify team
- Built on your own Google Cloud infrastructure
- Ideal for brands with strict compliance requirements or advanced routing needs
- Scalable for multi-store, multi-region, or enterprise environments
- Transparent about monthly Google Cloud costs and resource requirements
If your store qualifies for this setup, we’ll guide you through every step — from setup to scaling.
🧭 Not Sure Which One You Need?
That’s exactly what we’re here for.
We work with hundreds of Shopify merchants, and we’ll never recommend more complexity than your store actually needs. Our goal is to help you make the right decision — and implement it properly.
Set Up the Right Server-Side Tracking for Your Shopify Store
If you’re considering server-side tracking for your Shopify store, you may have heard that hosting it on Google Cloud gives you more control — and that’s true.
But more control often means more complexity.
Here’s what we’ve learned from working with hundreds of merchants:
✅ Most Shopify stores don’t need to manage their own cloud infrastructure
✅ They want accurate tracking, clean reports, and less technical stress
✅ They’re already stretched thin and prefer done-for-you solutions
✅ They’re focused on performance — not managing servers
That’s why Analyzify’s built-in server-side tracking is the right fit for most merchants.
It delivers 98%+ accuracy for GA4 purchase event, achieves higher Event Match Quality (EMQ) for Meta and TikTok, and doesn’t require any cloud setup or ongoing maintenance.
That said — if your store does need a custom Google Cloud setup, we’re here for that too.
We’ll handle the technical work, set it up correctly, and ensure you get the infrastructure control you need — without slowing you down.
Whether you need full infrastructure control or just a fast, reliable solution, we’ll guide you toward the right choice — and handle the technical work for you.
👉 Book a free demo to find the best server-side setup for your Shopify store.
