At NYU, we wanted to know which cPanel functions were most frequently used. Unfortunately, this data is not readily available, but it can be gathered with a little work. Data on our user’s technical needs is useful for annual reports and similar tasks.
While using Google Analytics (GA) to track different cPanel functions, each one is treated as a subdirectory of the main site and the reports are set up accordingly.
First, set up a GA account and send the tracking code to Reclaim, and ask them to embed it. The tracking code can be found in the Admin section of Analytics.
Once there, go to Tracking Info → Tracking code.
After this is done, it takes around 24 hours for the GA account to start pulling data and this gives the data for the entire site.
To track the data for one cPanel function, add a new ‘view.’ This is done so the data for the whole website is not filtered or changed. Instead, new views can be created for each function.
To add a new view, go to the Admin section and to the drop down under View and choose ‘Create new view’. In the window that appears, give the new view a name and check that the URL is of the main website.
Filters
The data for one particular subdirectory is extracted with the use of filters. After the new view is set up, go to the Filter option under the Admin tab.
Choose the ‘Add filter’ option. In the window that opens up, name the filter according to the specific section you want to track.
Select predefined and the set the filter as follows:
Include only – Traffic to the subdirectories – That contain
In the space provided for the URL, paste the last section of the cPanel function’s URL.
For example - 3rdparty/installatron/index.cgi, ftp/accounts.html, paper_lantern/subdomain/index.html
Save the filter you just created.
To check if the filter is working, go to the Reporting section and to the Real time option on the left. Before doing this, open the function that you want to track, in another tab.
Choose ‘Overview’ under Real-Time and see if your visit to the page is reflected in real time. If it is, then the filter is working and will continue to pull data.
Custom reports
You can also create reports that can be emailed to the whole team daily, weekly or monthly.
In the Customization tab, choose ‘Add Custom Report’. In the window that opens, give the report a name, and then select the type of report you want – Explorer, Flat table or Map Overlay.
The Flat Table is the best to use if you need the data in tables that can later be exported to Excel.
Select the Metrics and Dimensions that you wish to see in your report. You can track users, new users, hits, pageviews and more. Once you hit save, you can see the report with your specific metrics in the format you chose.
To mail this to yourself and your team, select the Email option on the tab above.
Set the recipients, frequency and format of the report and the email is then scheduled.