> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zeotap.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sources

> Sources in Zeotap CDP is a crucial tool that helps you gather data from various places like websites, mobile apps, CRM systems, email marketing, social media and more. You can create a source for each website or app you want to keep an eye on. We recommend that you create a source for each unique source of data. It allows you to understand who your customers are and how they’re using your product. Note that each source you create has a write key, which is used to send data to that source.

## Understand the Source Categories

Here, you can find information about the various Source Categories available in the system and the various Data Sources available for each category. The following are the Source Categories available in the system:

* **WebsiteEvents**: Website events capture specific actions or interactions on a website, providing valuable insights into user behaviour. Note that if you have multiple websites, create one source per website. To learn more about Website Events and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/website-events).
* **App Events**: App events track interactions within mobile applications, offering a deeper understanding of user engagement and behaviour. To learn more about App Events and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/app-events).
* **Flat Files**: Flat Files store data collected from external sources, often in formats like CSV or JSON. you can transfer batch data using SFTP or through Zeotap Google Cloud Storage. To learn more about Flat Files and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/flat-files).
* **Server-to-Server**: Configure Sources for server-to-server data transfer using the HTTP API source. To learn more about the Server-to Server data transfer type and how to set it up, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/server-to-server).
* **Tag Managers**: Tag Managers simplify the management of tracking tags and scripts on websites and mobile apps. To learn more about Tag Managers and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/tag-managers).
* **CRM Data**: CRM Data comprises comprehensive customer information collected through tools like Salesforce CRM. To learn more about CRM Data and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/crm-data).
* **Data Warehouse**: Data Warehouses centralise structured and unstructured data, supporting analytics. To learn more about Data Warehouse and associated data sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/data-warehouse).
* **Customer Engagement Channels**: Customer Engagement Channels encompass various communication touch points. Explore these channels and the available data sources [here](/articles/integrate-customer/customer-engagement-channels).
* **Message Queue**:A message refers to a piece of information that is processed by another system or it can be an actual payload, like files or metadata that trigger some processing in another sub-system. Queues help in processing these messages in order. To learn more about Message Queue sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/message-queue).

## Understand Sources with a Use Case

Before creating a Source, ensure that you understand the different Data Source Categories mentioned above and accordingly choose the Category and Data Source as per your requirement. For example, for a website, you can choose the Source Type as Web JavaScript, Web Pixel, Web Pixel or iFrame. Similarly, for Mobile Apps, you can choose the Source Type as Android Native SDK or iOS Native SDK.

To understand better, let us take an example. Assume that you want to track events on one of your websites. You can create a Source for your website with the following details:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Select **Source Category** as **Website.**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Select **Source Type** as **Web JS.**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Add the details relating to your website. Such as Source name - Website A, URL - a.com and so on.
  </Step>
</Steps>

As a result, a source named Website A is created in the Sources module. This Source is listed in the Source listing page.

<Note>
  Note that If you have two websites to track, then these two websites are considered as two Web JS Sources.
</Note>

If you have three flat files based on the CRM files present in each, then those three flat files are considered as three different Sources. The following are examples of three such flat files:

* A flat file containing user login information
* A flat file containing user classifications
* Flat files for tracking purchases on the two different websites

## Key Features and Benefits of Sources

The following are some of the key features and benefits that the Sources module offers:

* **Real-time Data Streaming**: Sources continuously collect and process data as it becomes available. Real-time data allows you to respond promptly to customer actions and deliver personalised experiences at the moment.
* **Customisable Data Mapping**: The Sources module allows you to map data fields from different sources to create a standardised schema. This customisation ensures that the data is structured in a consistent manner across the platform, making it easier to analyse and leverage.
* **Improved Data Accuracy**: Data integration and mapping within the Sources module help eliminate data discrepancies and improve data accuracy. This enables you to make informed decisions based on reliable and consistent data.
* **Efficient Data Management**: Sources streamlines the data collection process, making it more efficient and less resource-intensive. It saves you time by automating data integration and management tasks, allowing you to focus on analysing and acting on insights.
* **Data Standardisation** – Data from different sources is merged into a catalogue that is maintained at the user profile level.

## Related Topics

* To learn about all the options available on the Source Listing page, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/components-of-the-source-listing-page).
* To learn about the various Source types available in the system and how to create them in Sources, refer [here](/articles/integrate-customer/creating-a-source).
* For the Best Practices to be followed while creating different sources, refer [here](/articles/project-integrate/best-practices-2676392478).