Matomo serves as an open-source web analytics platform best for analyzing website performance i.e., traffic and user behavior. It is significant in the world of web analytics due to the following key values: It offers its users to retain full ownership. It is the preferred choice for businesses and websites due to its priority for user privacy. With real-time analytics, it also allows users to set and track custom goals.

It provides five main categories of installations:

1 – Matomo On-Premise (Self-hosted):

Matomo on-premise can be installed and operated on your servers. It gives you full authority over your data and analytics setup and it is for free. matomoexpert provides quick installation and maintenance service as well with experts.

Step 1: Server Setup

• Select a Server: Pick a suitable server for Matomo hosting
• Operating System: Matomo supports multiple OS options such as Linux, Windows, or Mac OS
• Meeting Requirements: PHP, MySQL or MariaDB, and a web server such as Apache or Nginx are the requirements for Matomo installation

Step 2: Install Essential Components

• Install PHP: Employ your OS’s package manager to install PHP including vital extensions like mbstring, gd, and pdo.
• Set up MySQL/MariaDB: Install and configure MySQL or MariaDB as your database server.
• Web Server Configuration: Set up Apache or Nginx as your web server. Make sure it is set to process PHP files.

Step 3: Download Matomo

• Download and Extract: Download Matomo’s latest release from their official website. Extract the downloaded files to a directory that your web server can reach.
• Create a new database for Matomo on your server.
• Create a fresh database user and allow it full access for Matomo use.

Step 4: Matomo Installation

• Extract the compressed archive to your desired location on the web server. This process will create a folder namely ‘matomo’. Utilize your FTP client to transfer the Matomo files to the desired location on your web server.
• Configure your web server to serve the Matomo files.
• Access your web browser and go to the web address where Matomo has been uploaded.
• Complete the installation by following the instructions provided on the screen.
• Matomo will give you a JavaScript tracking code after installation. Add this tracking code to the web pages of your website for tracking.

Step 5: Secure Installation

• Change the default admin credentials to enhance security.
• Activate HTTPS to encrypt data transmissions between the Matomo server and web browsers.

Step 6: Set Up Tracking/ Testing

• Insert the Matomo tracking code into your website’s HTML to start tracking visitor data.
• Browse your website to ensure Matomo is accurately tracking visitor data.

2 – Matomo Cloud

• Sign Up for Matomo Cloud: Go to the Matomo Website and sign up. You’ll have to give some basic required information like your Gmail, password, etc. After that select the plan that fits your requirements or budget.
• Receive Confirmation Email: You’ll receive a confirmation email from Matomo showing your account details.
• Enter your Matomo Cloud Dashboard: Add login credentials and enter your Matomo Cloud Dashboard. After that add a website that you want to track on Matomo Cloud.

• Get Tracking Code: Matomo will provide a code that you’ll have to add to the HTML code of your website pages.
• Verify Installation: Verify if the tracking code is working fine by visiting different pages or sections of your website.
• Monitor Analytics: After setting up the required fields you can monitor your website’s analytics through Matomo Cloud Dashboard. You can add varied metrics like visits, unique visits, bounce rates, goals, and many more as per your website requirements.

3 – Matomo for WordPress

• Download Matomo: Download the latest Matomo version from Matomo.org in zip file format.
• Upload Files: Upload the files after unpacking to the web server using an FTP client or with a hosting control panel.
• Create a Database: Log in to your web hosting control panel Create MySQL database and user then assign it full permissions to Matomo Database.
• Matomo Configuration: Configure Matomo settings like website name, URL, time zone, etc. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the Matomo installation process. Add the database details and then complete the installation.
• Install Matomo Plugin for WordPress: Access the Plugins menu within your WordPress dashboard and click on Add New. Install WP-Matomo Plugin. Activate it when the installation process finishes.

• Configure Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard, head over to Settings > Matomo Analytics.  Input the Matomo installation URL and insert the tracking code.
• Verify Installation: Browse different sections of your WordPress website to stimulate traffic. Sign in to your Matomo dashboard to verify if Matomo is tracking the data accurately.

4 – Import Google Analytics

• Log in to your Matomo account. If you’ve not installed it then, follow the steps mentioned above for installing Matomo.

• Move to the admin section and click on import under the system menu. Then, select the Google Analytics option.

• Add your Google Analytics credentials.
• Proceed with the instructions to allow Matomo to access your Google Analytics data.
• Pick the website or resources you’d like to import.
• Confirm the import settings and begin the import process.
• Matomo will take some time to import your Google Analytics data. It depends on the duration of this task will vary based on the amount of data.
• Finally, when the import finishes, you’ll gain access to analyzing your Google Analytics data through Matomo’s interface.

5 – Import Google Analytics

The process of importing Google Search keywords into Matomo involves merging data from Google Search Console with your Matomo analytics system.  This enables you to monitor and analyze organic search keywords that drive traffic to your website within Matomo’s interface. Following is the quick simple guide to import search keywords into Matomo.

• Organize Your Data: Ensure that your search keyword information is in a suitable format, like CSV.
• Access your Matomo dashboard by logging in with your username and password.
• Go to the Admin area: Go to the “Admin” section in the menu and click on it.
• Within the “Measurables” category select “Channels”.
• Select “Search Engines” to view the list.
• Seek out the button labeled “Import keywords” and select it.
• Pick Google from the accessible search engines or you can select your desired search engine.
• Follow the steps to validate your Google account within the Matomo platform.
• Allow Matomo to access your Google Search Console information.
• Select the website profile for which you wish to import Google keywords.
• Verify the import configurations and continue.

You are all Done!

Matomo installation and maintenance are fundamental for understanding your audience and optimizing your online presence. You can ensure accurate data collection, insightful analysis, and best monitoring of your website performance, by following this blog guide.