Self-Hosting Matomo Web Analytics on Ubuntu 24.04

In a world where data privacy and control are increasingly critical, self-hosting web analytics has become a popular alternative to third-party services. Matomo (formerly Piwik) is a powerful, open-source web analytics platform designed to give you full ownership of your data. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Matomo on an Ubuntu 24.04 server.

Why Choose Matomo?

Matomo provides a feature-rich analytics platform that prioritizes user privacy and data ownership. Here’s why it’s a compelling choice:

• Data Ownership: Unlike third-party services, you retain full control of your analytics data.
• GDPR Compliance: Matomo is built with privacy laws in mind, making it easier to comply with regulations.
• Customizable: With a modular design, Matomo can be tailored to your needs.
• No Data Limits: You’re not bound by restrictive limits imposed by free analytics platforms.

System Requirements

Before we begin, ensure your server meets the following requirements:

• Ubuntu 24.04
• Web Server: Apache or Nginx
• Database: MySQL/MariaDB (minimum 5.5 or higher)
• PHP: Version 8.0 or higher with required extensions
• Memory: At least 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended for large websites)
• Disk Space: Minimum 2 GB (expand as needed for logs and reports)

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your system packages to the latest versions:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Apache, PHP, and MySQL

Install the necessary software stack:

sudo apt install apache2 mysql-server php libapache2-mod-php php-cli php-mysql php-zip php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-curl unzip -y

Step 3: Secure Your MySQL Installation

Run the MySQL secure installation script:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts to set a root password, remove anonymous users, and secure the database.

Step 4: Create a Database for Matomo

Log in to MySQL and create a database and user:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Inside the MySQL shell, run the following commands:

CREATE DATABASE matomo_db;
CREATE USER 'matomo_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'strong_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON matomo_db.* TO 'matomo_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace strong_password with a secure password.

Step 5: Download and Extract Matomo

Download the latest Matomo release:

wget https://builds.matomo.org/matomo-latest.zip

Extract the archive:

unzip matomo-latest.zip
sudo mv matomo /var/www/html/

Set the appropriate permissions:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/matomo
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/matomo

Step 6: Configure Apache

Create a new virtual host configuration for Matomo:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/matomo.conf

Add the following content:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName yourdomain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html/matomo

    <Directory /var/www/html/matomo>
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/matomo_error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/matomo_access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable the configuration and required modules:

sudo a2ensite matomo.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 7: Complete the Installation via Web Interface

Open a web browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com. Follow the on-screen instructions to:

1. Verify system requirements.
2. Configure the database by entering the details you created in Step 4.
3. Set up the administrator account.
4. Configure your website to track.

Enhance Matomo with HTTPS

It’s highly recommended to secure your installation with HTTPS. Install a free SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
sudo certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com

Renew the certificate automatically:

sudo systemctl enable certbot.timer

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed and configured Matomo on your Ubuntu 24.04 server. By hosting your web analytics platform, you’re taking a significant step toward better data privacy and control. Explore Matomo’s powerful features to gain deep insights into your website’s performance while respecting user privacy.

If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from self-hosting Matomo. Feel free to leave comments or questions below!