Implementing Internal Analytics Like Google Analytics Using JavaScript

Introduction

• In today’s data-driven world, understanding user behavior is crucial for making informed decisions that enhance user experience and drive business success.
• Google Analytics is a popular tool for tracking website interactions, but sometimes companies require an internal analytics solution tailored to their specific needs.
• One efficient way to achieve this is by leveraging JavaScript and the Navigator.sendBeacon API to build a custom internal analytics system.

What is Navigator.sendBeacon?

• The Navigator.sendBeacon API is a modern web technology that allows you to send small amounts of data to a server without affecting the performance of your web application.
• It is particularly well-suited for sending analytics data because it operates asynchronously, meaning it doesn’t block the main thread or interfere with the user experience.
• This method is used to send small amounts of data to a server without waiting for a response, which is perfect for analytics data.

Why Use Internal Analytics?

• While Google Analytics offers a comprehensive set of features, there are several reasons why a company might prefer an internal analytics solution:

Data Privacy and Security:

• With an internal solution, you maintain full control over your data, which is crucial for companies dealing with sensitive information.

Customization:

• Internal analytics can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, tracking custom events, and metrics that may not be available in off-the-shelf solutions.

Cost Efficiency:

• For companies with high traffic volumes, the cost of third-party analytics services can add up. An internal solution can be more cost-effective in the long run.

Implementing Internal Analytics with sendBeacon

document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", function logData() {
  if (document.visibilityState === "hidden") {
    navigator.sendBeacon("/log", analyticsData);
  }
});

Advantages of Using sendBeacon for Analytics

Reliable Data Transmission:

• sendBeacon is specifically designed to send data during page unloads, reducing the risk of data loss.

Minimal Impact on Performance:

• Since sendBeacon operates asynchronously, it doesn’t block the main thread, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Browser Support:

• The sendBeacon API is widely supported by modern browsers, making it a reliable choice for most web applications.

Reference

1. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Navigator/sendBeacon