A method, system and program product for collecting web metric data is disclosed. The method includes inserting a script at the top of each web page to be metered, sending a web page request to a web server for a web page, loading the web page while executing the script inserted within the web page for collecting web usage data without substantially increasing web page load time. The method further includes establishing an asynchronous connection to a metric server chosen for sending the web usage data collected and transmitting to the metric server the web usage data collected as part of a record request using a method such that the record request is not cached at an intermediate proxy. The method further includes contacting an alternate metric server if the metric server chosen is not available or cannot record the web usage data.