How to configure your first heatmap on Hotjar

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

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.

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Prerequisites

Active Hotjar account
Hotjar tracking code installed on your website
Admin or Editor permissions in your Hotjar organization

Step-by-Step Instructions

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.

If you don't see the Heatmaps option, ensure you have the correct permissions or check if your plan includes heatmap features.

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/*)

Enter your desired URL pattern in the input field.

Start with your homepage or most important landing pages for your first heatmap to get meaningful insights quickly.

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

Select your preferred option by clicking the corresponding radio button.

Choose 'Desktop & Mobile' for your first heatmap to understand user behavior across all devices.

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

Review the estimated time to completion based on your website traffic.

A sample size of 1,000-2,000 page views typically provides statistically significant data for most websites.

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.

Use consistent naming conventions that include the page type, date, or campaign to easily manage multiple heatmaps.

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

Click the Create heatmap button to launch your heatmap and start collecting data.

Double-check your URL patterns by testing them on a few actual pages to ensure they match correctly.

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

Click on your heatmap name to view the collected data at any time.

You can start analyzing heatmap data before it's fully complete, but wait for at least 500 page views for more reliable insights.

Common Issues & 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.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Hotjar website before purchasing.

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