How to create your first site dashboard on Hotjar

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Creating your first site dashboard on Hotjar involves adding a new site, installing the tracking code, and configuring your dashboard widgets. The process takes about 10-15 minutes and provides instant access to user behavior insights.

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Prerequisites

Active Hotjar account
Website with Hotjar tracking code installed
Basic understanding of website analytics
Admin access to your Hotjar organization

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Dashboard Creation

Log into your Hotjar account and navigate to the main dashboard. Click on the Add Site button or the + New Site option in the left sidebar. If you already have sites, click the site selector dropdown and choose Add New Site.

Make sure you're logged in as an admin or have dashboard creation permissions for your organization.

Enter Your Site Information

In the site setup form, enter your Site Name (this can be changed later) and your Site URL. Select your site category from the dropdown menu and choose your industry type. Click Add Site to proceed to the tracking code installation.

Use a descriptive site name that helps you identify it easily if you plan to track multiple sites.

Install the Hotjar Tracking Code

Copy the unique tracking code provided for your site. You can install it by:

Adding it directly to your site's <head> section
Using a plugin if you're on WordPress, Shopify, or similar platforms
Using Google Tag Manager by creating a new HTML tag

Paste the code before the closing </head> tag on all pages you want to track.

Test the installation by visiting your site and checking if the Hotjar script loads in your browser's developer tools.

Verify Installation and Wait for Data

Return to Hotjar and click Verify Installation. Hotjar will check if the tracking code is properly installed. Once verified, you'll see a confirmation message. Data collection will begin immediately, but it may take 30-60 minutes for the first data to appear in your dashboard.

Browse your website for a few minutes after installation to generate initial test data.

Configure Your Dashboard Layout

Navigate to your new site dashboard by clicking on it from the sites list. Click Customize Dashboard or the gear icon to access layout options. Choose from available widgets like Heatmaps, Recordings, Feedback, and Surveys. Drag and drop widgets to arrange them according to your preferences.

Start with the most important metrics for your goals - typically Heatmaps and Recordings for user behavior analysis.

Set Up Your First Heatmap

Click on the Heatmaps section and select + New Heatmap. Enter the URL or URL pattern you want to track (e.g., yoursite.com/homepage or use wildcards like yoursite.com/*). Choose your heatmap type: Click, Move, or Scroll. Set the device filters (Desktop, Tablet, Mobile) and click Create Heatmap.

Start with your homepage or most visited pages to get the most actionable insights quickly.

Enable Session Recordings

Go to the Recordings section and click Start Recording. Configure your recording settings including sample rate (start with 100% for small sites, or lower for high-traffic sites), and set any page targeting rules. Enable or disable recording triggers like rage clicks or u-turns based on your analysis needs.

Be mindful of privacy settings and ensure compliance with your privacy policy and local regulations like GDPR.

Review and Activate Your Dashboard

Review all your dashboard settings and configurations. Click Save Dashboard or Activate to make your dashboard live. Your dashboard will now start collecting data and you can access real-time insights by clicking on your site name from the main Hotjar interface.

Bookmark your dashboard URL for quick access and consider setting up email notifications for important insights.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Tracking code not detected after installation

Check that the code is placed in the <head> section, not the body. Clear your website cache and CDN cache. Ensure there are no JavaScript errors preventing the script from loading.

No data appearing in dashboard after several hours

Verify the tracking code is on all pages you're trying to track. Check if ad blockers or privacy settings are blocking Hotjar. Ensure your site has actual visitor traffic during the data collection period.

Unable to create heatmaps or recordings

Check your Hotjar plan limits - free plans have restrictions on the number of heatmaps and recordings. Verify you have the correct permissions in your organization. Ensure your URLs are correctly formatted without extra spaces or characters.

Dashboard widgets not displaying correctly

Refresh your browser and clear cache. Try accessing the dashboard from an incognito/private window. Check if your browser has JavaScript enabled and isn't blocking third-party content. Contact Hotjar support if the issue persists.

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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