Why Use Synthetic Monitoring Instead of Real User Monitoring?

The answer of synthetic monitoring vs real user monitoring lies in the power of anticipation, precision, and comprehensive testing that synthetic monitoring brings to the table. Here's the straight shot of what synthetic monitoring does for you that real user monitoring (RUM) doesn't always hit:

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Be the First to Know

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The strength of synthetic monitoring lies in its ability to identify problems before they impact your real users. Imagine deploying an update or launching a new feature, only to find out it causes a critical issue. With RUM testing, you'd know only after the fact, once real users are already facing the problem. 

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Synthetic monitoring, however, simulates user actions around the clock, immediately alerting you to performance degradations or downtime. This allows you to tackle issues head-on, often before a single real user encounters them.

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Set Your Standards

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Synthetic monitoring provides a consistent baseline to measure your website’s performance over time. By running the same tests under the same conditions, you can accurately gauge the impact of changes to your codebase, infrastructure, or content. 

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This data is invaluable for performance optimization, helping you make informed decisions to enhance site speed and user experience. Plus, it offers the clarity needed to set realistic performance goals and track your progress towards achieving them.

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Worldwide Watch

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The internet has no borders, and neither should your monitoring strategy. Synthetic monitoring allows you to test your website’s performance from specific locations worldwide, ensuring that your content is accessible and performs well for users, regardless of geography. 

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This global testing capability is just necessary, especially if your business is targeting an international audience, enabling you to optimize for local network conditions and deliver a localized experience that meets global standards.

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Monitor During Off-Peak Hours

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Websites and online services must perform flawlessly around the clock, not just during peak traffic hours. Synthetic monitoring shines here, tirelessly testing your site 24/7, including off-peak hours when real user traffic is minimal. 

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This continuous coverage ensures that you’re immediately aware of any issues that arise, regardless of the time of day, keeping your service reliable for users in all time zones.

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Control Your Tests

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One of synthetic monitoring's unique advantages is the ability to test specific user journeys and scenarios in a controlled environment. Want to know how your checkout process performs on mobile devices? Or how quickly your login page loads from different internet providers? 

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Synthetic monitoring lets you script these scenarios and run them under precise conditions, providing detailed insights into specific aspects of your user experience. This targeted testing is crucial for optimizing high-traffic pathways and critical functions on your site.

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Keep Your Users Happy

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The essence of synthetic monitoring is its proactive nature. You’re just identifying and resolving issues before they affect your users which means you’re actively improving the user experience. 

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Happy users are the lifeblood of any online service, and synthetic monitoring helps ensure they remain just that—happy and engaged. This foresight builds trust and loyalty, which are invaluable for long-term success.

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Why Not Both?

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While synthetic monitoring offers these proactive and controlled insights, remember, it doesn't replace the need for RUM. Real user monitoring complements by providing real-world usage data. 

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Ideally, you're leveraging both to get the full picture: synthetic for the proactive, controlled testing, and RUM for the reactive, real-world insights.

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