Matomo Web Hosting
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Matomo Features

Matomo Hosting Plans

Choose a plan for the workload, retained data and processing needs of your Matomo installation. For analytics, consider the combined volume of tracked actions, report processing and database growth. Compare the promotional price, renewal price, term and included services in the table below. For selection criteria, see our hosting plan guide. Confirm the selected release matches the available server versions.

All Matomo Plans Include

Website Uses

• Measuring content engagement and downloads
• Comparing tagged marketing campaigns and conversion goals
• Running organization-controlled analytics across websites

Installation

Softaculous in cPanel: RSH Web Services offers installation of Matomo through Softaculous in cPanel. Open Softaculous, select Matomo, review the offered package and installation checks, choose the intended domain and directory, then follow its setup form. Complete the compatibility and maintenance checks above before putting the application into public use.

For an introduction to the installer, see how Softaculous works.

Manual installation: Download the matching maintained On-Premise release, create its database in cPanel, upload the package and run the browser installer. Add the generated tracking code through the website or an appropriate integration, then check incoming visits and diagnostics.

Hosting Requirements and Licensing

The official requirements distinguish major versions. Matomo 6 requires PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+ or MariaDB 10.6+; the Softaculous listing reviewed offers a Matomo 5 package. Match the installed branch to its official requirements instead of applying a newer branch minimum indiscriminately. Database access needs pdo_mysql or mysqli; review GD, cURL, XML, mbstring and command-line PHP requirements for the functions used. Learn more about PHP hosting requirements. Our MySQL guide explains the database service.

Matomo core is GPL version 3 or later and available without a core software license fee. Premium plugins and commercial support have separate terms and charges.

Migration

cPanel options first: Start with a review of the existing Matomo installation. cPanel File Manager can transfer or package its files; for a database-backed installation, cPanel database tools and phpMyAdmin support exporting and importing its database. Ask support about an intact account transfer before attempting a manual rebuild. Preserve analytics tables, website IDs, configuration, plugins and tracking endpoints.

Preserve the full Matomo database, config file and plugin files for an intact move. Keep website IDs and tracking endpoints consistent, review scheduled processing jobs in cPanel, and test a tracked visit before changing the production endpoint.

Manual move: Copy the matching application files and all storage from a consistent snapshot, update only the required connection or path settings, and test website IDs, tracker requests, goals and report processing. Pause writes during the final synchronization to avoid divergent records. Review our website migration checklist for URL continuity.

Upgrades

cPanel preparation: Preserve the existing files and storage with cPanel tools before a version change. Check the selected PHP version and package requirements first. Confirm the application-specific update procedure and available package before proceeding.

Manual upgrade review: Check major-version requirements and plugin compatibility first. Use the official update procedure for the installed branch, including any database update, after testing a restored copy. Recheck diagnostics and scheduled report processing afterward.

Security and Privacy

Use site-specific reporting permissions, review IP anonymization and data retention, and restrict analytics administration. Avoid putting email addresses or other unnecessary personal data into page URLs, event labels or custom dimensions.

Keep the Matomo administrator account separate from public participation or tracking. Use strong credentials, supported server software and the narrowest file permissions that allow operation. Review online privacy principles before collecting identifying information.

Backups and Recovery

cPanel backup options: Save a consistent copy of the Matomo application directory and its storage with cPanel file and database tools. Include all database tables when the installed package uses a database, as well as settings and uploaded resources.

Recovery check: Restore a sample backup into a separate private location and verify website IDs, tracker requests, goals and report processing before relying on it. Disable collection or invitations in the test copy to prevent duplicate activity. Retain an independent copy and confirm backup frequency and retention with support. See our website backup guide.

Resources and Demos

Original demo and video links are retained for reference. A link that opens is not proof that its demonstration is working, current or suitable for production. Check the application and version shown before following a tutorial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Matomo counts different from another analytics system?

Different consent settings, bot filters, time zones, session definitions and blocked trackers can produce different totals. Compare the same website, date range and metric, then use a controlled test visit to check both implementations. A discrepancy does not automatically mean either system is broken; document the measurement rules before comparing results.

Are heatmaps and A/B testing included in Matomo core?

Matomo provides some advanced functions through premium plugins with separate licenses, including Heatmaps & Session Recording and A/B Testing. Check the particular extension and its entitlement before planning a project. Installing the free On-Premise package through Softaculous does not automatically purchase or activate those paid capabilities for your website.

Can Matomo track a conversion that happens after a form submission?

Yes, when you configure the appropriate goal or event at the point that represents success. Track a confirmed completion rather than merely a button click, which can occur before validation fails. Test successful and unsuccessful submissions separately so the report reflects completed actions and does not inflate conversion totals with attempts.

Why does a Matomo visitor count differ from a pageview count?

A person can view several pages in one visit, so pageviews and visitors measure different things. Visitor identification also depends on the tracking method and privacy configuration. When reading Matomo reports, name the metric precisely and compare matching periods. Avoid presenting a rise in repeated page loads as proof that more people reached the website.

Can Matomo reports include my own test visits?

Yes, administrative browsing and test activity can enter the dataset unless they are excluded by a verified configuration. Before evaluating a campaign in Matomo, document test periods and identify known internal activity. Use the filtering options confirmed for your installed version, and preserve enough context to distinguish a product test from genuine audience behavior.

How should I compare date ranges in Matomo?

Use the same reporting time zone and comparable periods, such as equal-length weeks with similar weekdays. Check that tracking ran for the entire interval before comparing totals in Matomo. A partial day or a gap in collection can look like a traffic decline. Record campaigns, outages and collection changes alongside the report to make comparisons interpretable.

Do Matomo campaign reports reveal every traffic source?

No analytics system observes every source perfectly. Missing referrer information, privacy controls, blocked trackers and untagged messages can make origin uncertain. Use consistent, tested campaign tagging with Matomo and keep ambiguous traffic visible rather than assigning it to a guessed source. Explain those limits when sharing a report with colleagues or clients.

Will Matomo tell me why a visitor left?

Analytics can show measured behavior, but it does not establish a person's motivation. A short visit might reflect a successful answer, a technical problem or loss of interest. Use Matomo findings to choose a page for investigation, then combine them with user feedback and testing. Avoid treating a single metric as a diagnosis of intent.

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