💡 **Key Takeaways**
- 💡 To create an AI agent to analyze Matomo analytics using n8n for free, you’ll need to set up Matomo, n8n, OpenRouter API, and Baserow, all of which offer free tiers.
- 💡 The n8n workflow involves connecting to the Matomo API, formatting the data, and connecting OpenRouter for AI analysis, with the workflow running automatically every day.
- 💡 The AI analysis system should focus on actionable insights, such as unusual traffic patterns, content engagement trends, and conversion opportunities, and store the insights in Baserow for easy access.
I’ve tried to increase the engagement time using Umami. I’ve tried increasing my keyword rankings using SERP. I’ve tried increasing overall views by looking at views data. All of them is great until I discovered something.
I don’t have any returning visitors. People don’t come back for a 2nd or 3rd time. This is a huge problem.
I’m able to find this out because I installed matomo. It allows me to see what each visitor is doing. Instead of a broad data sample from Google analytics, Matomo tells me granular data. Now I can solve a big problem: How do I create consistently returning visitors?
Why Matomo is Better Than Google Analytics
Matomo is a powerhouse compared to Google Analytics. The big selling point? Individual visitor data. While Google gives you a broad overview of your traffic, Matomo lets you dig deep into what each visitor is doing on your site. You can track their journey—what pages they visit, how long they stick around, and how often they come back. This level of detail is a total game changer when you’re trying to convert casual visitors into loyal fans.
Picture this: you’ve got a visitor who checks out your blog, maybe reads a post or two, and then bounces without taking any action. With Google Analytics, you’d see a spike in page views, but that’s about it. Matomo, on the other hand, shows you that visitor’s entire journey. You can see what brought them to your site and whether they ever return. This insight is gold because it allows you to tailor your content and marketing strategies specifically for those visitors, increasing the chances they’ll come back for more.
The Importance of Frequent Visitors
Now, let’s talk about why converting one-time visitors into regulars is crucial. Relying solely on page views can be a bit misleading. Sure, those numbers look nice, but if you’re not seeing the same faces coming back, you’re missing out on building a community.
Frequent visitors are your bread and butter. They’re the ones who engage with your content, share it with their friends, and maybe even sign up for your newsletter or make a purchase. When people return, it’s a clear sign that they find value in what you offer. That’s where the real magic happens—creating a loyal audience is far more beneficial than just chasing numbers.
Think about it this way: a steady stream of frequent visitors can lead to organic growth. They help spread the word about your site, provide valuable feedback, and become advocates for your brand. On the flip side, if you’re only attracting one-time visitors, you’re stuck in a cycle of constantly trying to draw in new traffic without nurturing the relationships you already have.
In short, the goal isn’t just to get people to visit your site; it’s about creating a loyal fanbase that keeps coming back. Matomo’s individual visitor tracking makes it possible to understand and foster these relationships, setting you up for long-term success.
How the n8n workflow works
- The workflow gathers matomo analytics for the past 7 days.
- We then parse the data
- The data is sent to Openrouter and using a FREE LLM, it analyses the data.
- It stores the results in baserow
This is the result you can get from the analysis:
Setting Up Your Foundation
Getting started with AI analytics doesn’t need a big budget. You’ll need Matomo (self-hosted), n8n, OpenRouter API, and Baserow. All these tools offer free tiers.
- Install Matomo on your server (it’s open source)
- Set up n8n using their community edition
- Create an OpenRouter account (free credits included)
- Sign up for Baserow’s free plan
I saved $200/month switching from paid tools to this setup. The magic happens when these pieces work together.
Building the n8n Workflow
Think of n8n as your digital assembly line. Here’s your step-by-step blueprint:
- Connect to Matomo API:
- Add HTTP Request node
- Input your Matomo credentials
- Set up daily data fetch
- Format your data:
- Use Function node to clean data
- Structure JSON for AI analysis
- Add error checking
- Connect OpenRouter:
- Add AI node
- Set up your analysis prompt
- Configure response handling
The workflow runs automatically every day. It’s like having a free data analyst working 24/7.
Creating the AI Analysis System
The magic happens in the AI prompts. Here’s what works best:
- Ask about unusual traffic patterns
- Look for content engagement trends
- Spot conversion opportunities
Write prompts that focus on actionable insights. For example: “Analyze yesterday’s traffic patterns and suggest three ways to improve engagement.”
The AI will return structured data you can actually use. Store these insights in Baserow for easy access.
Implementation and Results
My first week using this system revealed that visitors spent 40% more time on pages with specific formatting. Small change, big impact.
The AI agent spotted this pattern and suggested testing similar formats across the site. Result? Overall engagement jumped 15%.
Set up weekly reports to track progress. The AI agent will learn from past data and make better suggestions over time.
Next Steps
Ready to build your own AI analytics assistant? Start with the basic n8n workflow I’ve shared. Test it, tweak it, make it yours.
Need help? Leave me a comment or click on the contact me button.
Remember – the best insights come from asking the right questions. Let AI handle the heavy lifting while you focus on growing your site.