How to Implement Heat Maps, Click Maps and Scroll Maps in Piwik PRO

Understanding user interactions on your website is crucial for optimizing user experience and enhancing conversion rates. Heat maps and click maps are powerful tools that provide visual insights into how users engage with your web pages. In this article, we will explore how to implement these features using Piwik PRO, a robust alternative to Google Analytics. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to set up and utilize these tools effectively.

 

What Are Heat Maps and Click Maps?

Heat maps and click maps serve as visual representations of user interactions on your website. They help you identify which areas of your page attract the most attention and engagement.

• Heat Map: This tool visually represents the areas where users are clicking, using intense colors to indicate high click activity and pale colors for areas that receive less interaction.
• Click Map: Unlike the heat map, the click map provides detailed information such as the actual number of clicks and the percentage of clicks on various elements of your page.

These insights enable you to optimize your website design and functionality based on actual user behavior.

 

Setting Up Heat Maps and Click Maps in Piwik PRO

To implement heat maps and click maps in Piwik PRO, you’ll first need to access the Tag Manager. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Log in to Piwik PRO

Begin by logging into your Piwik PRO account and navigating to the Tag Manager section.

Step 2: Create a New Tag

Click on the “Add a Tag” button to create a new tag. Name your tag appropriately, such as “Heat Map and Click Map.”

Step 3: Configure the Tag

Select the options for heat maps and click maps, then click “Next.” You’ll be prompted to choose a consent type and set the respect opt-out and do not track settings. For most users, leaving these as default is sufficient.

Step 4: Set Up the Trigger

Next, you must add a trigger for your tag. Click on “Add a Trigger” and select the click trigger. This is essential as it is the only trigger that works for heat maps and click maps. Name your trigger (e.g., “Click”) and configure it to track all clicks.

Step 5: Debugging the Tag

Before publishing your tag, it’s crucial to ensure it is functioning correctly. Click on “Debug” to enter debug mode. This will allow you to see if your tag fires correctly when you click on elements on your page.

To prevent page reload when testing, toggle the “Prevent Page Reload” option. This way, you can observe whether the tag fires without navigating away from the debug window.

Step 6: Publish the Tag

Once you have confirmed that the tag works as expected, you can publish it. Click “Publish” and confirm your action. Your tag is now live and will start collecting data.

Viewing Heat Maps and Click Maps

After setting up your tags, you will need to wait for about an hour to start viewing data in heat maps and click maps.

To access these reports, you will need to install the Piwik PRO Site Inspector Chrome extension. This tool is essential for visualizing your heat maps and click maps effectively.

Step 1: Install the Piwik PRO Site Inspector

Open the Chrome browser and navigate to the extension page. Click on “Add to Chrome” and confirm the installation.

Step 2: Pin the Extension

Once the extension is installed, you may not see it in your browser bar immediately. Click on the extensions icon and pin the Piwik PRO extension for easy access.

Step 3: View Your Data

Return to your website and click on the Piwik PRO extension icon. Log in to your Piwik PRO account, and select the dates for which you want to view heat maps and click maps. Click on “Load Overlays” to display the data.

Step 4: Analyze the Data

Toggle the heat map and click map buttons to visualize the data on your page. The heat map will show you color-coded areas based on click intensity, while the click map will provide specific click counts and percentages for individual elements.

Scroll Maps: An Additional Feature

In addition to heat maps and click maps, Piwik PRO also offers scroll maps. These maps automatically track how far visitors scroll down your page, providing insights into content engagement.

To enable the scroll map, simply toggle its button in the Site Inspector. You do not need to set up a tag for scroll tracking, as this feature is automatically configured within Piwik PRO.

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Conclusion

Implementing heat maps, click maps, and scroll maps in Piwik PRO is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your understanding of user interactions on your website. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can gain valuable insights into how users engage with your content, allowing you to optimize your site for better performance and higher conversion rates.

For further tips and insights, consider visiting Piwik PRO - Tips, Tricks and Insights. Start utilizing heat maps and click maps today to elevate your website's user experience!