Beginner
How to configure your first heatmap on Hotjar
Quick Answer
Configuring your first heatmap on Hotjar involves creating a new heatmap from the dashboard, specifying target pages using URL patterns, and adjusting settings for data collection. Once configured, Hotjar will automatically collect click, move, and scroll data from your specified pages.
Prerequisites
- Active Hotjar account
- Hotjar tracking code installed on your website
- Admin or Editor permissions in your Hotjar organization
1
Access the Heatmaps section
Log into your Hotjar dashboard and navigate to the Heatmaps section in the left sidebar. Click on the + New heatmap button to start creating your first heatmap.
Tip
If you don't see the Heatmaps option, ensure you have the correct permissions or check if your plan includes heatmap features.
2
Configure heatmap pages
In the Pages to track section, specify which pages you want to track. You can use:
- Exact URL: Enter the complete URL for a specific page
- Contains: Track pages with URLs containing specific text
- Wildcard (*): Use asterisks to match multiple pages (e.g.,
yoursite.com/products/*)
Tip
Start with your homepage or most important landing pages for your first heatmap to get meaningful insights quickly.
3
Set device targeting
In the Device type section, choose which devices to track:
- Desktop & Mobile: Track all devices (recommended for comprehensive data)
- Desktop only: Focus on desktop users
- Mobile only: Focus on mobile and tablet users
Tip
Choose 'Desktop & Mobile' for your first heatmap to understand user behavior across all devices.
4
Configure data collection settings
Set up your data collection preferences:
- Sample size: Choose how many page views to collect (e.g., 2,000 page views)
- Heatmap types: Ensure Click heatmaps, Move heatmaps, and Scroll heatmaps are enabled
Tip
A sample size of 1,000-2,000 page views typically provides statistically significant data for most websites.
5
Name and organize your heatmap
In the Heatmap name field, enter a descriptive name that helps you identify the heatmap later (e.g., "Homepage - Q1 2026" or "Product Pages - Mobile Focus"). You can also add it to an existing folder or create a new one for better organization.
Tip
Use consistent naming conventions that include the page type, date, or campaign to easily manage multiple heatmaps.
6
Review and launch your heatmap
Review all your settings in the summary section:
- Verify the URL patterns are correct
- Confirm device targeting matches your needs
- Check the sample size and estimated completion time
Tip
Double-check your URL patterns by testing them on a few actual pages to ensure they match correctly.
7
Monitor heatmap progress
After creation, your heatmap will appear in the Heatmaps list with a Collecting status. You can:
- View real-time progress and data collection statistics
- Access preliminary data once you have at least 100-200 page views
- Receive email notifications when your heatmap reaches completion
Tip
You can start analyzing heatmap data before it's fully complete, but wait for at least 500 page views for more reliable insights.
Troubleshooting
Heatmap shows 'No data collected' after 24 hours
Verify that your Hotjar tracking code is properly installed and that the URL patterns match your actual page URLs. Use browser developer tools to check if the Hotjar script is loading correctly.
URL pattern not matching expected pages
Test your URL patterns by using the URL pattern tester in the heatmap configuration. Ensure you're using the correct syntax - use
* for wildcards and check for typos in your domain name.Heatmap collecting data very slowly
Check your website's traffic volume and consider adjusting the sample size to a lower number. You can also expand your URL patterns to include more pages or change device targeting to include both desktop and mobile.
Cannot create new heatmap due to plan limits
Check your current Hotjar plan limits in Account Settings > Billing. You may need to pause or delete existing heatmaps to free up slots, or upgrade your plan for more concurrent heatmaps.
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