Geckoboard is a powerful tool for visualizing real-time data, helping businesses monitor their key metrics at a glance. Setting up event tracking allows you to gain deeper insights into user interactions and behaviors. This step-by-step guide will walk beginners through the process of configuring event tracking on Geckoboard effectively.

Understanding Geckoboard Event Tracking

Event tracking involves monitoring specific actions users take on your website or app, such as clicks, form submissions, or downloads. By integrating event data into Geckoboard, you can visualize these interactions and make data-driven decisions to improve user experience and engagement.

Prerequisites for Setting Up Event Tracking

  • An active Geckoboard account
  • A website or app with access to code or tag management
  • Basic knowledge of JavaScript or Google Tag Manager
  • Access to your website’s codebase or tag manager platform

Step 1: Create a New Data Source in Geckoboard

Log in to your Geckoboard dashboard. Click on “Create a new dataset” or navigate to the data sources section. Choose the appropriate data type, such as a number or a custom dataset, depending on what you want to track.

Step 2: Set Up Event Tracking on Your Website

There are two common methods to implement event tracking: using Google Tag Manager (GTM) or directly adding JavaScript code to your website.

Method A: Using Google Tag Manager

If you use GTM, create a new Tag. Select “Custom HTML” as the tag type and insert your event tracking code. Set up a trigger for the specific user interaction you want to monitor, such as clicks or form submissions. Save and publish your container.

Method B: Adding JavaScript Code

If you prefer direct code implementation, add an event listener to your website’s JavaScript. For example:

document.querySelector('button').addEventListener('click', function() {

sendEventToGeckoboard('ButtonClicked');

});

Step 3: Send Event Data to Geckoboard

Use Geckoboard’s API or SDK to send the tracked event data. For example, with JavaScript, you might use an AJAX call:

function sendEventToGeckoboard(eventName) {

fetch('https://api.geckoboard.com/v1/events', {

method: 'POST',

headers: {

'Content-Type': 'application/json',

'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

},

body: JSON.stringify({ event: eventName })

});

}

Step 4: Visualize Event Data on Geckoboard

Once your data is being sent successfully, create a widget on your Geckoboard dashboard. Choose the appropriate visualization type, such as a counter or chart, and connect it to your event data source.

Step 5: Test and Verify Your Setup

Perform the tracked action on your website to generate an event. Check your Geckoboard dashboard to see if the data updates accordingly. Troubleshoot any issues by reviewing your code and API calls.

Additional Tips for Effective Tracking

  • Use descriptive event names for clarity.
  • Test each step thoroughly before going live.
  • Regularly review your dashboard to monitor trends.
  • Ensure your API keys are kept secure.

By following these steps, you can set up comprehensive event tracking on Geckoboard, enabling you to monitor user interactions and improve your digital strategies effectively.