• Use Cases
    • Type
      • EnterpriseHigh traffic websites with advanced functionality, such as booking, browsing or paying.
      • Small/MediumWebsites with low-mid traffic that have one or more key functionalities including checkout, sign-ups or account login.
      • AgenciesAgenciesWeb agencies that help clients build, maintain and improve their websites.
    • Industry
      • eCommerce
      • Travel
      • Gambling
      • Public Sector
    • Team
      • Technical
      • Digital
  • Platform
    • Platform
      • PerformanceRapidSpike’s performance tools help you improve website speed, so you can boost conversions and keep customers coming back.
      • SecurityProtection from web skimming attacks, scan for the latest vulnerabilities, check your external perimeter and more.
      • ReliabilityCustomer complaints can drive away future business. It’s vital you find, fix and prevent any issues fast.
    • Top Features
      • User Journeys
      • Magecart Attack Detection
      • Core Web Vitals Monitoring
      • Uptime
      • Alerting & Integrations
    • Take a guided tourLearn how RapidSpike can support your business today.
  • Customers
  • Learn
    • Learn
      • BlogNews updates and articles about web monitoring.
      • Knowledge BaseDocumentation and other resources for customers.
      • RapidSpike AcademyTraining courses and guided tutorials.
      • About UsWe help make the web faster, safer and easier to use.
      • PressSee what the press are saying about RapidSpike.
    • From The Blog
      • Return On Investment Website Revenue CalculatorReturn On Investment Website Revenue Calculator
      • 3 Website Reliability Metrics Councils Should Be Measuring3 Website Reliability Metrics Councils Should Be Measuring
      • Marketing Campaign Highlight - NEOMMarketing Campaign Highlight: NEOM Organics
      • The World Cup Of WebsitesThe World Cup Of Websites
  • Pricing
  • Log In
  • Get Started
  • Use Cases
    • Type
      • EnterpriseHigh traffic websites with advanced functionality, such as booking, browsing or paying.
      • Small/MediumWebsites with low-mid traffic that have one or more key functionalities including checkout, sign-ups or account login.
      • AgenciesAgenciesWeb agencies that help clients build, maintain and improve their websites.
    • Industry
      • eCommerce
      • Travel
      • Gambling
      • Public Sector
    • Team
      • Technical
      • Digital
  • Platform
    • Platform
      • PerformanceRapidSpike’s performance tools help you improve website speed, so you can boost conversions and keep customers coming back.
      • SecurityProtection from web skimming attacks, scan for the latest vulnerabilities, check your external perimeter and more.
      • ReliabilityCustomer complaints can drive away future business. It’s vital you find, fix and prevent any issues fast.
    • Top Features
      • User Journeys
      • Magecart Attack Detection
      • Core Web Vitals Monitoring
      • Uptime
      • Alerting & Integrations
    • Take a guided tourLearn how RapidSpike can support your business today.
  • Customers
  • Learn
    • Learn
      • BlogNews updates and articles about web monitoring.
      • Knowledge BaseDocumentation and other resources for customers.
      • RapidSpike AcademyTraining courses and guided tutorials.
      • About UsWe help make the web faster, safer and easier to use.
      • PressSee what the press are saying about RapidSpike.
    • From The Blog
      • Return On Investment Website Revenue CalculatorReturn On Investment Website Revenue Calculator
      • 3 Website Reliability Metrics Councils Should Be Measuring3 Website Reliability Metrics Councils Should Be Measuring
      • Marketing Campaign Highlight - NEOMMarketing Campaign Highlight: NEOM Organics
      • The World Cup Of WebsitesThe World Cup Of Websites
  • Pricing
  • Log In
  • Get Started

Back to Knowledgebase

Categories

Account & Billing

Getting Started

Performance Monitoring

Alerts & Notifications

Uptime Monitoring

Security Monitoring

Synthetic User Journey Monitoring

Interpreting Data

Assurance and Search

Sitemap Monitoring

Other Articles

Choosing Appropriate Selectors

Synthetic User Journeys – Technical Guide

Managed User Journeys

User Journeys: Video Journeys

How to Create a Synthetic User Journey

What is Synthetic User Journey Monitoring?

A Synthetic User Journey is the path that a real user takes when using your website or web application. This journey starts when the user visits your website and ends when the user leaves your website.

Most websites are built to allow users to complete one or more key goals. For some sites this might be to generate sales leads via a feedback form, for others it might be to sell products via a catalogue, shopping cart and payment gateway. For each goal we can define the series of steps a user would take to complete it – this is a User Journey.

For website/web application owners these goals are of the utmost importance. In many cases the goals represent the primary source of revenue for the business – it’s critical therefore that all aspects of the User Journey run smoothly and without error or delay.

How can RapidSpike help monitor your User Journeys?

RapidSpike can help monitor your User Journeys by performing the same journeys as real users would from various geographical locations looking for both errors and delays in the User Journey process.

A full test script using the RapidSpike proprietary testing language is then created and agreed with the customer that mimics a real user performing various steps on the website or web application. This testing language allows for very complex User Journeys to be configured rather than just the same static test every time.

This test script is then put live across one or more geographic locations, with a frequency chosen by the customer.

The User Journey is then performed at regular intervals using synthetic users emulating real user behaviour.

Why should you monitor a User Journey?

Monitoring User Journeys allow you to take a deeper look into the performance of your website or web application.

User Journeys help you to create a baseline of performance. Once you have a performance baseline for the User Journey you can then identify when the journey time deviates from the norm. This helps to identify emerging problems early so that outages can be avoided. In other words, when the User Journey starts to slow down it normally indicates that something is wrong. You could think of it as an early warning system.

Many on-page errors are hidden from the naked eye and are usually identified by accident or by a user. The User Journey monitor continually identifies these errors providing the web team with a detailed insight into the inner workings of the website or web application.

Most websites and web applications rely upon third party elements that may be hosted on another companies website. The slowing down or failure of these elements can have a detrimental effect on the user experience provided to your users. The User Journey monitor will identify such elements and keep a constant watch over them to ensure they are performing as they should.


What is the difference between a User Journey and an Uptime Monitor?

An Uptime Monitor and a User Journey are complementary technologies. Both have a role to play in assuring a digital asset. The role of the Uptime Monitor, as the name suggests, is to ensure that the target is available or online. Think of this as your first level of assurance.

The User Journey goes to the next level as it is interacting with the application. The role of the User Journey is to check that critical processes are working in a performant manner. 

For example, an ecommerce shopping website may be online but the product search may be broken or slow. In this scenario the uptime monitor would be totally unaware of this problem but the User Journey would. This is your second level of assurance.

What does the User Journey record?

A RapidSpike User Journey records the speed of the journey and the speed of all the page elements (images, scripts, files etc) needed to complete the action. The journey also records and flags page element errors. Alerts can be configured to flag slow or failed journeys and when an error is found.

What is a step in a User Journey?

User Journeys can be as simple as filling in a form or highly complex where the journey authenticates through multiple applications across multiple systems and data centres. A step is simply one part of the User Journey process. For example, landing on the web application login page counts as a single step. Every company is different but the User Journey is often simulating a critical process.

The lead capture form is critical to many companies so in this instance a simple five step journey would be sufficient, such as:

  1. Arrive at the Home Page
  2. Click Contact Sales
  3. Fill in an enquiry form
  4. Submit the enquiry form
  5. Check that ‘XYZ’ content exists

See our blog post on User Journeys here!

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Start your free 30-day trial today

Start monitoring today, no credit card required. Or chat to our friendly team about your requirements.

Get StartedLet’s Talk

RapidSpike - Global eCommerce Winner 2021
RapidSpike - Northern Digital Awards Winners
RapidSpike - Insider Yorkshires Most Exciting Companies
RapidSpike - UK Dev Awards 2021 Winner
RapidSpike - Prolific North Top Tech 30 To Watch
RapidSpike - Cyber Accelerator Alumni

Copyright © 2023 — All Rights Reserved.

RapidSpike - AWS Well Architected
RapidSpike - AWS Partner Network
  • Solutions
    • Technical
    • Digital
    • eCommerce
    • Travel
    • Gambling
    • Public Sector
    • Enterprise
    • Small/Medium
    • Agencies
    • New Relic
    • Customers
    • Pricing
  • Platform
    • Performance
    • Security
    • Reliability
    • How It Works
    • Insights
    • Alerting & Integrations
    • All Features
    • Synthetic User Journeys
    • Google Lighthouse
    • Core Web Vitals & Performance
    • Page Load
    • Real User Monitoring
    • Vulnerability Scanning
    • Magecart Attack Detection
    • Uptime
    • Assurance & SEO
  • Learn
    • Blog
    • Knowledge Base
    • RapidSpike Academy
    • System Status
    • RapidSpike Roadmap
    • Log In
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Press
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Vulnerability Disclosure