Installing Matomo in WordPress CMS

MATOMO ANALYTICS
1

:white_check_mark: OPTION 1: Install Matomo as a WordPress Plugin (Easiest Way)

Matomo has a full-featured plugin that integrates right into your WordPress dashboard, no external server or subdomain needed.

Steps:

  1. Go to WordPress Admin https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin
  2. Navigate to: Plugins > Add New
  3. Search for: Matomo Analytics – Ethical Stats. Powerful Insights.
  4. Click “Install” → “Activate”
  5. Configure Matomo: Go to the new menu: Matomo Analytics > Settings
  6. Click “Start Installation” and follow the guided setup.It will:
  • Automatically install Matomo in the background (no FTP needed)
  • Track your visitors with no extra setup
  • Give you dashboards inside WordPress

What You Get:

  • Full Matomo dashboard inside WordPress
  • Real-time visitors, traffic sources, behavior, goals
  • No data leaves your server – all privacy friendly
  • Supports cookieless tracking
  • GDPR-friendly features (consent, data retention, etc.)

:white_check_mark: OPTION 2: Use External Matomo (Self-Hosted or Matomo Cloud)

This is for when you already installed Matomo at a separate location like:

  • analytics.yourdomain.com (self-hosted VPS)
  • or via Matomo Cloud

Steps:

  1. Go to Matomo Dashboard
  • Admin > Websites > Add a New Website
  • Get your Tracking Code + Site ID
  1. In WordPress, install plugin: Matomo Analytics for WordPress (by André Bräkling) or use Insert Headers and Footers
  2. Paste Tracking Code into <head> of your theme or via plugin.
  3. Matomo will now track your WordPress site traffic.

Which Option Should You Use?

Use Case Recommended Option
Simplicity :white_check_mark: Option 1 (Plugin)
More Control & Advanced Features :white_check_mark: Option 2 (External Install)
VPS Available :white_check_mark: External (more scalable)
One-click WordPress users :white_check_mark: Plugin-based install