How to Use Heap

Getting started with Heap

With Heap, you can automatically capture every user interaction on your website without needing to write tracking code. This guide will help you set up your account and start analysing user behaviour in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Heap's website.
2. Click on the "Get Started Free" button on the homepage.
3. Fill in your details to create an account. You can also sign up using Google.
4. Once you’re in, you’ll be prompted to set up your project. Enter your website URL and click "Create Project."
5. Follow the instructions to install the Heap tracking snippet on your site. You can either add it directly to your website’s code or use a tag manager.

Step 2: Your first analysis

1. After the tracking snippet is installed, Heap will start capturing user interactions automatically.
2. Go to the "Events" tab in the left sidebar.
3. Click on "Create Event" to define a specific interaction you want to analyse, like "Button Click" or "Page View."
4. Use the "Add Filter" option to focus on particular user segments or behaviours.
5. Once created, you can view the data under the "Dashboard" section to see real-time analytics.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the "Segmentation" feature to break down your data by user attributes like location or device.
2. Set up "Funnels" to track user journeys through specific paths on your site. Go to the "Funnels" tab and create a new funnel by selecting the events you want to track.
3. Regularly check the "Retention" reports to understand user engagement over time. This can help identify areas for improvement.

Pro tip

Take advantage of Heap's "Cohorts" feature to create groups of users with similar behaviours. This allows you to tailor your analysis and understand specific user segments better, saving you time in the long run.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid skipping the installation of the tracking snippet. If it’s not properly installed, Heap won't capture any data, and you'll miss out on valuable insights. Always double-check that it's functioning correctly after installation.