How to Set Up Server-Side Google Tag Manager with Hardal

Server-Side Google Tag Manager (sGTM) provides improved performance, better data control, and enhanced security. This guide shows you how to set it up using Hardal's infrastructure.

What is Server-Side Google Tag Manager?

Server-Side GTM processes tags on a server instead of in the browser, offering:

• Improved Page Speed: Reduced client-side JavaScript
• Better Data Quality: Bypass ad blockers and browser restrictions
• Enhanced Security: Server-side data processing
• Greater Control: Manage data before sending to third parties
• Privacy Compliance: Better control over user data

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Active Hardal account with a configured signal
• Google Tag Manager account
• Existing web container (optional, but recommended)

Step 1: Get Your Server URLs from Hardal

Navigate to your Hardal dashboard and select your signal. Click Server Side Hosts in the left menu.

You'll see two URLs for your Server-Side GTM:

• Tagging Server URL: For production use
• Preview Server URL: For testing and debugging

Copy the Tagging Server URL - you'll need this later.

Step 2: Create Server Container in GTM

Access Google Tag Manager

Go to Google Tag Manager and log in to your account.

Create New Container

1. Click on your account name
2. Find your desired property
3. Click the three dots (⋮) next to your existing container
4. Select Create Container

Configure Container Settings

Container Name: Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Server - Hardal" or "Company Website - Server")

Target Platform: Select Server

Click Create to proceed.

Step 3: Choose Provisioning Method

GTM will ask how you want to provision your tagging server. You have two options:

Option 1: Automatically provision (Not needed)

This uses Google Cloud directly - skip this option.

Option 2: Manually provision tagging server (Choose this)

This allows you to use Hardal's infrastructure.

Select "Manually provision tagging server" and click Next.

Step 4: Get Container Configuration

GTM will display your Container Config - a long string of encoded data.

Important: Copy this entire configuration string. You'll need to send it to Hardal.

Send Configuration to Hardal

Email the Container Config to Hardal support:

• Email: support@usehardal.com
• Subject: "Server-Side GTM Activation - [Your Signal Name]"
• Include: Your signal ID and the Container Config string

Hardal will activate your server container, typically within 1 business day.

Step 5: Configure Server URL in GTM

After Hardal activates your container:

Navigate to Container Settings

1. In Google Tag Manager, go to Admin
2. Under your server container, click Container Settings

Add Hardal Server URL

1. Click + Add URL in the Server Container URLs section
2. Paste the Tagging Server URL you copied from Hardal earlier
3. Click Save

Your configuration should now show:

• Container Config: Configured
• Server Container URL: Your Hardal URL

Step 6: Set Up Tags in Server Container

Now you can start adding tags to your server container:

Common Server-Side Tags:

Google Analytics 4:

• Enhanced measurement
• E-commerce tracking
• Custom events

Meta Conversion API:

• Facebook Pixel events
• Enhanced matching
• Custom conversions

Google Ads:

• Conversion tracking
• Remarketing
• Enhanced conversions

Your Server-Side Google Tag Manager is now configured and running on Hardal's infrastructure, providing improved performance and enhanced data control for your analytics and marketing tags.

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our step-by-step guide: How To Set Up Server Side Google Tag Manager Via Hardal