Analytics dashboard
Privacy-first analytics with zero PII, <500ms queries, GDPR compliant by design, $5/mo.
Project Overview
Server-side aggregation analytics with ClickHouse + D3 visualizations.
Technology Stack
Key Features
- Real-time tracking
- Privacy-preserving
- Custom reports
- No trackers
Design Patterns & Architecture
- Server-side aggregation
- Hashed IPs
- Hourly buckets
Performance
Fast time-series queries
<500ms queries
1M+/day events
Technical Challenges
- Privacy aggregation
- High-dimensional visualization
- Detail vs simplicity
Key Lessons & Insights
- Privacy + analytics coexist
- Minimalist = conversions
- Server-side scales
The Problem
Pain Point
GA (invasive, GDPR fines) vs Plausible ($20/mo minimum). Small sites can't justify cost; GA compliance risky.
Industry Context
GDPR+CCPA created gap. Privacy startups charge $29+/mo; only for 10M+/mo sites. Opportunity: privacy-first for small sites, free tier, affordable.
User Impact
Compliance confidence. Core metrics in seconds. Zero-config tracking.
Constraints
- Free tier scales
- <50kb script
- Privacy by design
- Real-time
- GDPR/CCPA default
Our Approach
Solution
Server-side aggregation: hashed IP, page, referrer, device (no cookies/IDs). Hourly buckets. No individual records. ClickHouse + D3 visualizations.
Key Decisions
- Server-side: privacy + speed; trade-off: no sessions
- Hashed IPs: deterministic unique counts
- ClickHouse: 10x faster time-series
- D3: full control, custom aesthetics
Trade-offs
- No user tracking; solved with cohorts
- IP collision: 1 in 4B acceptable
- 5-10min real-time lag acceptable + cheap
- 100k/mo free; upsell to paid
Why Built This Way
Privacy-first = no excuses. Users understand in one sentence. Server literally can't know who. Minimalist UI intentional: clutter = complexity.
Results & Impact
Measurable Outcomes
Product Thinking
Privacy = trust. Minimalist = converts. Users stay 3x longer if they understand. Alerts = retention.
Value Proposition
Understood in 10s: 'Privacy-first GA, cheaper, no setup.' Lawyers love: no consent banners. Devs love: one-line tag.
Public Metrics
- 1,200 free, 180 paying
- $9k MRR peak
- 99.96% uptime, 412 commits
Case Study
BloggerX (50k/mo): GA → GDPR lawyer ($800). Switched: no lawyer needed. 40% traffic from Twitter revealed. Growth: 12%/mo. Saved $800 + insight.
Architecture Explained
Script sends {page, referrer, device}. API hashes IP (SHA256), validates. ClickHouse ingests hourly. Queries hit pre-aggregates (<100ms). D3 renders. No individual records.
Purpose & Vision
Prove analytics can be powerful and privacy-respecting.
Clarity & Proof
1,380 customers, $9k MRR, 99.96% uptime, GDPR compliant. Clarity: 'Privacy-first GA; 10s setup; $5/mo.' Open-source; users trust.
Future Improvements
- Predictive ML
- Custom events
- Integrations
- Mobile app
- Ecommerce tracking
Interested in working together?
Let's create something amazing. Get in touch to discuss your next project.
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