Qual è il modo migliore per integrare la sala d'attesa virtuale di CrowdHandler?
So you've decided you need an online waiting room – also known as a virtual queue, or digital queue.
Perhaps you're selling a limited-edition product, or you're planning an onsale that you know will be busy. Your customers are going to need to get in line.
But what's the best way to get a CrowdHandler virtual queuing system running on your site? Which integration method should you choose? Take a look at the options…
I just need to add a waiting room to my site quickly
If you're in a hurry, you can be up and running with a virtual waiting room in 15 minutes with CrowdHandler's JavaScript integration. Once you have a CrowdHandler account, log in and grab the Public API key - then you can either add the script to your site manually, or use Google Tag Manager.
You’ll find an easy-to-follow guide for both options in our Support Centre.
Go to: step-by-step instructions for JavaScript integration
However, although integrating CrowdHandler with JavaScript is the easiest option to add a waiting room, it may not be the best option for your site or app. If you can spare just a little more time, you should make sure to check out the other options listed below.
In particular, if you are selling a rare item of high value – especially if it is likely to attract a more technically savvy visitor – we would definitely recommend integrating your virtual waiting room using another method. Where possible, we recommend CDN integration - because when you use the CDN to run the waiting room check, or rather than the user’s browser, you’re removing the opportunity for a savvy user to bypass it. Have a look at the Cloudflare and CloudFront options below.
Read more: Using a CrowdHandler waiting room for merch drops and NFTs
I have Cloudflare running on my site already
If you're already using Cloudflare's content delivery network (CDN) to speed up your site and deliver content securely, then our Cloudflare edge worker should be your first port of call for your waiting room integration – even if some of the other options here apply to you or your site.
Find out more: Using the Cloudflare edge worker to integrate CrowdHandler onto your site
If you're already using Cloudflare then this option is probably easier than you think. You will already be familiar with the Cloudflare control panel - and from there, it's just a question of following the startup instructions.
Go to: Cloudflare integration startup guide
I'm using WordPress / WooCommerce - do you have a WordPress plugin?
Yes, we do. As adaptable as the WordPress and WooCommerce combination is – if you're expecting sudden, peak traffic during a sale or product drop, your site is going to need some protection. So, for WordPress users who need an online waiting room (and are not using Cloudflare), there is a CrowdHandler WordPress plugin. It’s easy – just search the WordPress plugin directory for ‘crowdhandler’, then click the ‘install now’ button and activate the plugin.
Read more: Introducing the CrowdHandler WordPress plugin
If you are using Cloudflare with WordPress, we recommend that you integrate your virtual waiting room using Cloudflare's edge worker, if possible, rather than the plugin. Why? Because the CDN sits in front of your site, and acts as a caching layer. By integrating your waiting room here, closer to the user, you will avoid caching issues and put less load on your server.
What's the best way to run an online waiting room on AWS?
If your website or application is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) then, again, the best way to integrate an online waiting room is by using an edge integration, which will allow the waiting room to intercept the user at the earliest opportunity. In the case of AWS, this is Amazon CloudFront.
If you’re not already taking advantage of CloudFront’s CDN features, you may be tempted to write a custom API integration into your application. However, we would instead recommend installing CloudFront (which will be available to you, as an AWS user) and implementing the waiting room there. By using CrowdHandler’s CloudFront integration, users who have not been promoted by the waiting room will be offloaded from your application entirely.
Read more: Running a waiting room on AWS
None of the above applies to me – I have a custom application without a CDN
No CDN? If you're not using Cloudflare or CloudFront, you could look into CrowdHandler's own DNS implementation. This is a point-and-click, CloudFront-based CDN that we can set up for you with minimum fuss, all within our admin panel – all you will have to do is to make some changes to your DNS settings, in order to point the DNS record at CrowdHandler.
Please note that, if you'd like to use this option, all traffic will be routed via CrowdHandler, and you will need to stay within the bandwidth specifications set in your payment plan.
I have a custom application but I don’t want to route my DNS via CrowdHandler
Finally, there is always the option to roll your own CrowdHandler integration to get a virtual queue running on your site or application. It's straightforward – your developer will be able to do this in a few hours – but they will need a good grasp of HTTP essentials, and they will need plenty of time for testing. To get started, have a look in the CrowdHandler support centre for our easy-to-follow instructions.
Read more: Stepping through a basic server-side API integration.
Also see: Troubleshooting Custom API Integrations, which describes some of the common issues you might come across when rolling your own integration, and the solutions we recommend.
Other ways to integrate a virtual waiting room
Whether you are expecting high demand or high load, a waiting room – or queuing system – will ensure that your website stays up and your users stay happy. We are constantly working on new ways to make it easier for you and your customers.
Right now, we are working on Akamai integration, but if you’ve got other ideas for platforms we should be supporting, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us on Twitter or LinkedIn to tell us what else you would like to see.
Anticipating high load or high demand, and ready to install a waiting room?