How to host Matomo on Racknerd VPS - ServerAvatar

Matomo is a flexible open-source analytics platform recognized for its extensive functionalities and adaptability. It empowers organizations to monitor and analyze website traffic, user interactions, and marketing campaign effectiveness. With its various plugins and customizable features, it facilitates personalized analytics solutions without requiring advanced technical knowledge. When selecting a hosting solution for Matomo, Racknerd stands out as a reliable option with scalable infrastructure and simple deployment solutions. ServerAvatar makes the deployment of the Matomo application on the Racknerd platform straightforward through a simplified process.

Create a VPS in Racknerd

Getting started with Racknerd:

Creating an account and setting up a cloud VPS on RackNerd is simpler than you might imagine! Just follow our easy, step-by-step guide, and you'll be ready to go quickly. Start managing your RackNerd services quickly and effortlessly with one of the top hosting providers. Let's get started!

What is Racknerd?

RackNerd is a top-notch hosting provider offering various services, from cloud servers to dedicated servers and colocation. With a reputation for affordability and reliability, RackNerd is a great choice for both individuals and businesses seeking scalable and efficient hosting solutions. They provide the infrastructure you need to manage and optimize your websites, applications, and other online services seamlessly.

Step 1: Setup Cloud VPS with Racknerd

• First, log in to your RackNerd account and navigate to the Services option. Next, click on Order New Services from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Select the plan

• At this point, you'll see a variety of Shared Hosting plans in the Categories section on the left-hand side menu. We recommend choosing the KVM VPS plan. To proceed, simply click on the KVM VPS Hosting plan.
  • KVM VPS: KVM VPS (Kernel-based Virtual Machine Virtual Private Server) uses KVM technology to create virtualized environments with dedicated resources like CPU, RAM, and storage. This type of VPS offers high performance, security, and flexibility, making it perfect for hosting websites, applications, and other online services.

Step 3: Select KVM VPS Service

• At this stage, you'll find several options available in the KVM VPS section. You can choose any KVM VPS service that suits your needs, but we recommend selecting the AMD Ryzen Linux VPS service for the best performance.
• AMD Ryzen Linux VPS uses AMD Ryzen processors and the Linux operating system, providing high performance and reliability. It's ideal for websites, applications, and online services that require robust computing power and stability.

Step 4: Select your KVM VPS Configuration

• Here in the KVM VPS service, you'll find a range of plans designed to meet your specific requirements. Once you've selected your plan, simply click on Order Now to proceed with the next steps.

Step 5: Additional VPS Options

• Now, at this stage, you have to select additional options for your VPS. Here, you can select your billing cycle from annual or biennial payments. Furthermore, you can choose a location that is most suitable for you.
• Additionally, select your preferred operating system. Generally, the Matomo application required Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or a later version for compatibility and support. We suggest Ubuntu 22.04 64-bit for the best performance.
• Click Continue to proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Review and Finalize Details

• you can review and confirm all the choices you've made for your VPS. Once you're satisfied with your selections, proceed to complete the payment process. Your VPS will be set up quickly and will be ready for use in a minimum amount of time.

• Congratulations! You have successfully created your Racknerd VPS, which is now ready to connect with ServerAvatar.

Initial Server Configuration

The Initial server configuration includes the installation and configuration of various packages required to host your website. Usually, You have to write commands and modify configuration files. Luckily, With ServerAvatar, Your full server configuration and optimization can be automated.

Here are the three ways to automatically configure your server with ServerAvatar.

wget https://srvr.so/install
chmod +x install
./install

Install and Setup Matomo on Cloud using ServerAvatar

Step1: Create Matomo Database

The Matomo installation process requires database Credentials. So, to create a MySQL database for Matomo, Access the Database tab on the ServerAvatar server panel to create a Database.

To create a Database, Enter the details, such as the Database Name, in the database creation form like the image below.

Database successfully created.

Steps 2: Create a PHP Application

Access the Applications tab from the server panel to create a new PHP application for Matomo.

Now fill up the required details in the application form, as seen in the image below.

Note that:

If you want to host Matomo on your domain, then make sure to point your domain to the current IP address of your server, and for that:

1. Log in to your domain provider site, where you buy your domain. Click here for more info about your domain name.
2. Access DNS Manager to edit your DNS records (contact the support team if you don’t find them)
3. Change the IP address of A Record of your website to the > current server’s IP address.

To host Matomo on your subdomain, for example, matomo.yourdomain.com, create a new application with the subdomain as your primary domain and follow the same procedure. For accessing Matomo on the subdomain, you need to add your subdomain on A Record that points to the current IP address of your server. To point to an IPV6 address, you would need to use an AAAA record.

Click on Next Step.

Now, choose the method and service provider: Git and GitHub (follow as per the snapshot).

Continue the process by entering the necessary information as provided below:

Repository Type: Public
Clone HTTPS URL: https://github.com/matomo-org/matomo.git
Branch: 5.x-dev
Deployment script:

composer install;

Proceed by clicking the "Next Step".

You can either create a new System User or select an existing one.

Next, choose PHP version 7.2 or above. For the custom Webroot, keep the field empty, as shown in the provided snapshot, as we're specifically seeking "index.php" or "index.html" within the custom setup.

Custom Webroot: (keep this field empty)

Proceed to the next steps and ensure your details and requirements are accurately entered.

After confirming, click on Create Application to initiate the application creation process.

STEP 3: Install and Setup Matomo

Now access the site URL from the Application panel to install and set up Matomo.

MATOMO INSTALLER

The welcome message screen is displayed upon accessing the URL, as depicted in the snapshot.

Click next to process further with the system check tab, which will open where you have two options: copy the system check or download the system check. According to your convenience, save or save system check. It is essential to keep it with you in case the Matomo support team asks you for this information.

DATABASE SETUP

We have already created a database for Matomo in step 1. To establish a connection between the database and the application, enter the database credential we have already made. You can access all your database credentials, like database name, username, and password, by accessing the database tab from the server panel.

Enter the following database credential we have already created in ServerAvatar:

Login: Username of database
Password: Database password
Database Name: Database name

Process further by clicking on Next.

CREATE SUPERUSER

We have successfully configured the database with Matomo. Now, we create a superuser to log into Matomo after successfully installing and setting up Matomo.

To create a superuser, enter the following details:

Superuser login: dharmilshiroya
Password: your password
Password (Repeat): your password
Email: dharmilshiroya2456@gmail.com

Please remember the credentials you entered above for logging into MATOMO.

SET UP THE WEBSITE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ANALYZE

Now, Enter the details of the websites you would like to track or analyze with Matomo. For example, I have tried to track and analyze the website URL on which we deploy the Matomo. Please enter your website URL and the name you want to analyze. Here, Matomo provides the advanced option for you who want to use it to analyze e-commerce websites (E-commerce enabled) or Others. If your website is on E-commerce, select E-commerce enable in the E-commerce menu, as seen in the snapshot.

We had set up a website that you like to track and analyze. We have almost completed the setup process.

The next step is JavaScript tracking code. Do not change anything in the code. Just click on next.

We have successfully installed and set up Matomo on the Server through ServerAvatar. You can see a congratulatory message on your screen.

Now, log in to Matomo using the superuser credentials we created for the superuser. Please enter the credentials that you provided.

We have successfully deployed Matomo on Server on ServerAvatar.

Tip:- It will run on HTTP, but to run it on HTTPs ServerAvatar provides a one-click solution to switch to HTTPs for that, go to the SSL Certificate in the application panel and click on force HTTP to HTTPs.