Tracking & Engagement
Understand web analytics and implement them privacy-compliant.
What is Web Tracking?
Web tracking means understanding how visitors use your website. How many people visit your site? Where do they come from? Which pages are most popular? This information helps you improve your website and reach your target audience better.
What data is collected?
- Visitor numbers: How many people visit your site?
- Origin: Do visitors come from Google, social media, or directly?
- Behavior: Which pages are viewed, how long do visitors stay?
- Devices: Desktop, tablet, or smartphone?
Why does this matter?
- Optimization: See which content works well and which doesn't
- Marketing: Understand which channels bring the most visitors
- Conversion: Learn why visitors become customers - or don't
Which Tools Are Available?
There are various ways to capture your website statistics. From well-known services to privacy-friendly alternatives.
Google Analytics
The most well-known and powerful analytics service, but complex to set up. Data is also processed on Google servers in the USA; this is covered by the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, under which Google is certified. You still typically need consent and a data processing agreement with Google to use it.
Open-Source Alternatives
Privacy-friendly solutions where your data stays with you. These tools can be hosted on your own servers and are often easier to understand.
Examples: Plausible, Umami, Matomo, OpenPanel
You Don't Have to Decide
I advise you on which solution best fits your project and set everything up for you. Whether you need comprehensive marketing analytics or just want to know how many visitors your site has - I'll find the right solution.
Privacy & GDPR
Web tracking and privacy don't have to be contradictory. With the right configuration, you can gain valuable insights while respecting your visitors' privacy.
When Do I Need a Cookie Banner?
What matters under German law (§ 25 TDDDG) is whether something is stored on or read from the visitor's device - for example via cookies. If so, you need prior consent, regardless of whether the data is personal. Purely anonymous, cookieless statistics without such access can often run without a banner and may rest on legitimate interest.
First-Party vs. Third-Party
First-party means: The data stays with you. Third-party means: An external service (like Google) receives the data. First-party solutions are generally more privacy-friendly and easier to implement.
Practical Tips
- IP addresses: Choose tools that don't store IP addresses at all - modern services like Google Analytics 4 no longer do anyway.
- EU Servers: Choose providers with EU servers when possible
- Data Minimization: Only collect what you really need
- Transparency: Inform about tracking in your privacy policy
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Tracking Without the Headache
I handle the setup, configuration, and GDPR-compliant implementation. You get meaningful statistics - without having to deal with the technical details.
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