Discuss your app

High-value capability

Analytics & Tracking

User behavior tracking, product analytics, and data collection for informed decision making.

1-3 daysTypical timeline
$0 - $1,000Typical range
4Approaches compared

SCOPE DECISION

Does this belong
in the first release?

A capability is only essential when the product promise depends on it. Use these signals to keep the decision tied to user value.

INCLUDE WHEN

The product needs it now

  • 01
    Need to understand user behavior
  • 02
    Measuring feature adoption
  • 03
    Conversion funnel analysis
  • 04
    A/B testing planned
LEAVE OUT WHEN

The release works without it

  • 01
    Privacy-first products where tracking is unwanted
  • 02
    Very early validation (talk to users instead)

IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

Choose the approach
that fits the product.

The right technology depends on ownership, scale, integration depth, and how much operational responsibility the team wants to carry.

PostHogOpen-source product analytics

Strengths
  • Self-hostable
  • Feature flags included
  • Session recordings
  • Free tier
Tradeoffs
  • Resource-intensive self-hosting
  • Younger product

MixpanelProduct analytics platform

Strengths
  • Powerful event analytics
  • User journeys
  • Good for funnels
Tradeoffs
  • Expensive at scale
  • Learning curve
  • Event-focused

Google Analytics 4Free web and app analytics

Strengths
  • Free
  • Widely used
  • Good for marketing
Tradeoffs
  • Privacy concerns
  • Complex interface
  • Sampling at scale

PlausiblePrivacy-friendly analytics

Strengths
  • Simple
  • Privacy-focused
  • GDPR compliant
  • No cookies
Tradeoffs
  • Basic features only
  • No user-level data

DELIVERY SEQUENCE

A practical path
through the work.

  • 01Define key metrics and events to track
  • 02Choose analytics platform(s)
  • 03Implement core page/screen tracking
  • 04Add custom event tracking for key actions
  • 05Set up user identification
  • 06Create dashboards for key metrics
  • 07Implement conversion funnels
  • 08Set up alerts for anomalies

WATCH FOR

Common implementation mistakes.

  • 01
    Tracking too much (data overload)
  • 02
    Not defining success metrics upfront
  • 03
    Missing user identification across sessions
  • 04
    Not tracking errors and failures
  • 05
    Ignoring analytics after setup
  • 06
    Not A/B testing assumptions

QUESTIONS

Before you commit the scope.

How much should I track in my MVP?+

Track 5-10 key events tied to your core value proposition. Signups, key feature usage, conversion points, and errors. Add more as you learn.

Product analytics vs. marketing analytics?+

Product analytics (Mixpanel, PostHog) track in-app behavior. Marketing analytics (GA4) track acquisition. Most products need both eventually.

How do I handle GDPR with analytics?+

Use privacy-friendly tools (Plausible, self-hosted PostHog) or implement proper consent. Anonymize data where possible. Document your practices.

RELATED DECISIONS

Continue mapping the release.

Core capability

Error Tracking

Capture, monitor, and debug production errors to maintain application reliability.

DISCUSS YOUR APP

Turn this decision
into working software.

Bring the product context and current scope. We will choose the approach after the release is clear.

Discuss your app