Enhancing User Experience in Small Academic Libraries: Leveraging Matomo Analytics as a UX Design Tool

As changes have occurred with Google Analytics over the past two years, web design professionals have sought alternative platforms to gain valuable insight on how users are interacting with online content. Academic libraries are no different in their desire to assess user interaction and behavior within their online platforms. In 2019, the Benedictine Library at Thomas More University transitioned to using Matomo Analytics out of a desire to find a low-cost and privacy-centric alternative to Google Analytics. While serving as the Library Director at Thomas More University from 2018 to 2021 and then as the Library Director at Wilmington College from 2022 to 2024, Michael Wells partnered with Thomas More students to initially implement Matomo for use with the Benedictine Library’s Springshare LibGuides website. From that work, Wells then implemented Matomo at Wilmington College in 2022. At Wilmington College, the S. A. Watson Library used Matomo’s heatmapping and screen recording features as a user experience (UX) design tool to help build a more efficient and effective LibGuides website. In early 2024, Wells assumed the role of Web Services and Research Librarian at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. This article illustrates the evolution in Thomas More University and Wilmington College’s use of Matomo, and how to use the platform as a tool in a comprehensive website UX strategy. Michael Wells hopes to build on this work at Stetson University in his new role and incorporate artificial intelligence with Matomo in the years to come.