Skip to main content

Unlocking User Experience Insights: A Comprehensive Guide to Real User Monitoring (RUM)

In this day and age, having solid expertise in the studies of your website's visitors is vital to the success of any online commercial enterprise. It is not enough to have a visually attractive layout or rapid load times as a way to appeal to customers' attention due to the fact there are a lot of websites and applications competing for this attention. To effectively separate yourself from the competition, you need to comprehend the ways in which your customers engage with the digital items you offer and locate weak spots in their experience. Real User Monitoring, sometimes known as RUM, is a solution to this problem.

Real User Monitoring (RUM) is an effective tool that could provide you with beneficial insights into how real users interact together with your internet page or software by tracking their behaviors in real time. RUM offers you a whole picture of the customer behaviors by following the user through their entire session and recording everything from page load events to HTTP requests to front-end application errors. It helps to enhance the whole digital experience of the end users by identifying bottlenecks, optimizing performance, and using the data at your disposal.

We will dig into the realm of RUM and investigate its significance in gaining an understanding of user experiences as we proceed through this course. The advantages of making use of RUM are going to be discussed in this article, as well as the ways in which it differs from other tracking tools. The typical offerings that a fully functional RUM software is going to be mentioned. By the time you reach the conclusion of this post, you'll acquire a solid knowledge of how RUM helps you get beneficial insights into the experiences of your customers and improve your applications.

In this article the following topics are going to be discussed;

  • What is Real User Monitoring (RUM)?

  • How does Real User Monitoring work?

  • What are the Benefits of using Real User Monitoring?

  • How does Real User Monitoring differ from other types of user monitoring?

  • Real User Monitoring vs. Synthetic Monitoring

  • Real User Monitoring vs. APM

  • Real User Monitoring vs. Digital Experience Monitoring

  • What are some examples of Real User Monitoring in action?

  • What are the best tools for RUM

  • What are some best practices for implementing Real User Monitoring?

  • What are some common challenges or limitations of Real User Monitoring?

  • Real User Monitoring (RUM)

  • Application Performance Monitoring (APM)

  • Differences between RUM and APM

  • Benefits of RUM and APM

  • Combining RUM and APM

What is Real User Monitoring (RUM)?​

RUM (Real User Monitoring) is a technique for assessing end-user satisfaction in web and mobile applications. It refers to a collection of monitoring features such as user analytics, session replay, feedback solutions, and others that provide insights into how ordinary users interact with websites and applications. RUM's goal is to provide a clearer picture of what is wrong with a site or app and the actual impact on users. RUM assists organizations in converting online customers faster, reducing churn, and improving the overall digital experience of their customers.

How does Real User Monitoring work?​

RUM works by monitoring a variety of performance metrics, including DNS lookup time, page load time, time to first byte, time to load specific elements, APDEX score, and more. These metrics are gathered by monitoring actual user sessions across a wide range of operating systems, devices, and browsers. The data collection methods used in RUM are as follows:

  • Embedding JavaScript: A small-size JavaScript code is embedded into the website, which gathers performance data from the user's browser and sends it back to the RUM server.
  • HTTP requests: RUM tools collect data by intercepting HTTP requests and responses between the customer browser and the web server.
  • Browser extensions: Some RUM tools come with browser extensions that gather performance statistics from the browser and store it in the RUM server.

Once the data is collected, it is processed and analyzed to provide insights into the user experience. RUM processing and analysis include the following steps:

  • Aggregation: The gathered data is aggregated to provide a comprehensive view of the end user's behavior and experience.
  • Filtering: The collected statistics are filtered to get rid of any not relevant or duplicate data.
  • Analysis: The information is analyzed to discover developments, and to bring out the trends, patterns, and anomalies in the end-user behavior.
  • Visualization: The analyzed information is visualized in various charts, graphs, and dashboards to provide a clear and actionable view of the behavioral analysis.

In conclusion, RUM provides a comprehensive view of the user experience by means of gathering and examining general performance statistics from actual users, helping businesses become aware of and troubleshoot problems, enhancing the site and application performance, and providing customers with a better experience.

What are the Benefits of Using Real User Monitoring?​

RUM is important for organizations because it helps them understand what is impeding a near-perfect experience for their users and troubleshoot those issues to improve their digital experience. It provides insights that are useful for marketing teams, such as understanding the most used features and facilitating better targeting, communication, and conversions. Real User Monitoring (RUM) offers the following advantages:

  • Improved customer experience: RUM helps organizations understand what is impeding a near-perfect experience for their users and troubleshoot those issues to improve their digital experience.
  • Increased conversions and reduced churn: RUM helps organizations convert online customers faster and reduce churn by improving their overall digital experience.
  • A better understanding of user behavior: RUM provides insights into how users interact with a website or application, enabling organizations to better understand their behavior and preferences.
  • Gaining a competitive advantage: RUM offers insights that are useful for marketing teams, helping organizations understand the most used features, which facilitate better targeting, communication, and conversions.

RUM is useful for companies as it enables them to recognize how their users interact with the digital tools they utilize, become aware of problems that could affect the end user's comfort, and enhance the website and the efficiency of the product. By the use of RUM, businesses supply higher client satisfaction, enhance conversions, lessen churn, and benefit from a competitive advantage.

How does Real User Monitoring differ from other types of user monitoring?​

The following are some of the ways in which Real User Monitoring (RUM) is distinct from other forms of user monitoring.

Real User Monitoring (RUM) distinguishes it from other monitoring solutions since it is a passive monitoring tool. This sets it apart from other monitoring solutions, which provide active monitoring techniques most of the time. RUM is different from other tools in that it evaluates system performance by watching real user sessions in a non-intrusive way. This is in contrast to other tools, which mimic user interactions.

Monitoring real-time user activity and sessions is one of RUM's primary focuses. This enables the company to provide a perspective that is unmatched in the ways in which end users engage with apps and websites. Alternative monitoring systems might make use of synthetic monitoring techniques or other methodologies to simulate the behaviors of users.

RUM differs from other examples because of its dedication to serving customers with a comprehensive look into the experience. It investigates standard performance indicators such as load times or error statistics. Additionally, it takes into consideration the bigger context of consumer conduct and the path that they take through the software. This all-encompassing angle offers firms the capacity to make knowledgeable choices that enhance the overall satisfaction among their users.

The way in which RUM collects data diverges dramatically from the methods utilized by other monitoring systems. It does this by collecting real-time data straight from user sessions, which enables one to gain an in-depth comprehension of how people interact with digital platforms. In contrast to the techniques of data collection used by other tools, such as probing the system with a set of predetermined scenarios, the methodology that RUM follows does not employ such approaches. The unconventional method of data collection adopted by RUM has repercussions that extend beyond the manner in which the collected information is processed, evaluated, and applied in order to obtain actionable insights.

Real User Monitoring vs. Synthetic Monitoring​

Real User Monitoring (RUM) and Synthetic Monitoring are two popular strategies used to track the overall performance of Internet and mobile applications. While both techniques pursue to provide insights into the consumer experience, they vary in several key approaches. Real User Monitoring (RUM) gathers information from real users who access a site or use an app. This data is gathered through JavaScript code which is embedded within the software's pages or displays. RUM offers actual-time data on performance problems, giving developers a chance to perceive and clear up problems in a quick way before they have an effect on end users. Synthetic Monitoring simulates user actions by means of simulating virtual users to engage with the software. These virtual users employ pre-defined scripts and perform unique moves, including logging in, navigating through pages, and completing transactions. Synthetic Monitoring provides a controlled environment for testing and measuring application performance.

One key difference between RUM and Synthetic Monitoring is the data source. RUM collects records from real users, which provides a greater accurate representation of the consumer experience. Synthetic Monitoring, however, uses simulated customers, which won't appropriately reflect the behavior of real customers. Another key distinction between RUM and Synthetic Monitoring is the accuracy of the insights. RUM affords actual-time information on performance issues, which allows developers to speedy pick out and get action on the issues. Synthetic Monitoring, alternatively, won't always appropriately mirror the performance of the software, as it's primarily based on simulated user activity. RUM is best for applications that have a large number of users and where performance issues can have a significant impact on the user experience. On the other hand, Synthetic Monitoring is best for applications where it is difficult to simulate user activity, such as applications that require authentication or personalization.

Real User Monitoring vs. APM​

Real-User Monitoring (RUM) and Application Performance Monitoring (APM) are two important and useful monitoring methods that businesses employ to ensure that their applications run smoothly and provide a great user experience. While both approaches have some similarities, they focus on different aspects of the need and pursue different goals. The main differences between RUM and APM are going to be discussed below, as well as their advantages, and how companies can effectively incorporate them into their analytics and tracking practices.

RUM is a user-centric tracking method that specializes in gathering data from actual user information while interacting with an application. It provides insights into how users engage with the application, identifies issues that might impact the user experience, and helps organizations to enhance their application's general efficiency. On the other hand, APM is an infrastructure-centric tracking method that makes a specialty of monitoring the overall performance of a software's underlying infrastructure and code. It gives insights into how the application's components, inclusive of servers, databases, and APIs, are acting and identifies problems that could impact the software's general performance. While RUM gathers information on user behavior, in terms of page load times, error rates, and user satisfaction metrics like bounce rates and conversion rates, APM gathers statistics on infrastructure metrics like CPU and memory utilization, and the latency in the network.

The main difference between RUM and APM is their focus. RUM focuses on the user experience, but APM focuses on the application's infrastructure. Despite RUM collects data on user behavior and experience, APM collects data on infrastructure performance.

Benefits of RUM and APM​

Both RUM and APM offer unique benefits to organizations. RUM facilitates businesses to recognize how users interact with their software, pick out problems that could impact the end user's comfort, and optimize their software's efficiency. APM facilitates businesses to track the performance of their application's infrastructure, become aware of problems that could affect the tool's average performance, and optimize their infrastructure for better overall performance.

Combining RUM and APM​

Combining RUM and APM offers a comprehensive understanding of an application's performance and user satisfaction. By integrating RUM and APM, businesses can pick out issues that could affect the end-user experience and create solutions prior to them growing to be predominant issues. For instance, if a slow page load time is detected by RUM, APM assists by becoming aware of the core of the problem, which includes a database query taking a longer execution time.

How to Integrate RUM and APM Successfully in Your Organization?​

Organizations can effectively integrate RUM and APM into their monitoring practices by following these steps:

  1. Define clear goals and objectives: Determine what you want to achieve with RUM and APM. Do you want to improve the user experience, reduce downtime, or increase conversion rates? Defining clear goals will help you focus your monitoring efforts.
  2. Choose the right tools: Select RUM and APM tools that align with your goals and objectives. Look for tools that offer integrations with other tools in your monitoring stack and provide easy-to-understand dashboards and reports.
  3. Set up data collection: Configure your RUM and APM tools to collect data from your application. Make sure to collect data from multiple sources, such as user behavior, infrastructure performance, and network latency.
  4. Analyze and act on data: Analyze RUM and APM data together to identify issues that might impact the user experience. Use the insights to optimize your application's performance, fix issues, and improve the user experience.
  5. Continuously monitor and improve: Monitoring is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your application's performance and user experience, and make adjustments as needed.

RUM and APM are two essential monitoring techniques that organizations use to ensure their applications are running smoothly and providing a great user experience. While they have different focuses and purposes, combining RUM and APM offers a comprehensive understanding of an application's performance and user satisfaction. By effectively integrating RUM and APM into their monitoring practices, organizations can identify issues, optimize their application's performance, and improve the user experience.

Real User Monitoring vs. Digital Experience Monitoring​

When it comes to assessing and improving the overall digital experience, corporations have two number-one strategies to choose from, including Real User Monitoring (RUM) and Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM). While both strategies chase similar goals, they differ in their approach and scope. Understanding those differences is important to deciding on the proper approach to your company's needs.

RUM is a way of tracking that specializes in monitoring real individual interactions with a website or software. It captures performance information from actual users as they access and engage with the digital product, supplying valuable insights into how customers behave and experience the tool. The data collected by RUM includes metrics like web page load times, error percentages, and user behavior types, giving businesses a chance to get a view of the user's perspective.

Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM), on the other hand, takes a broader view of the digital experience, considering multiple data sources beyond just real user interactions. DEM combines data from various sources, including log files, synthetic transactions, and user surveys, to provide a comprehensive view of the digital experience. This approach offers a more complete picture of the user's journey, including the pre-and post-interaction phases.

While RUM and DEM differ in their approach, they complement each other well. RUM provides a detailed view of real user interactions, while DEM offers a broader perspective on the overall digital experience. By combining both approaches, organizations gain deeper insights into user experiences and identify areas for improvement that might not be visible through a single approach.

By combining RUM and DEM, organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital experience, identify areas for improvement, and optimize the user experience to meet business objectives.

What are some examples of Real User Monitoring in action?​

Real User Monitoring (RUM) is an essential and useful tool for know-how and optimizing user experiences, warning the administrators of troubles, and achieving commercial enterprise goals. RUM gives real-time information on performance issues, permitting developers to quickly perceive and clear up problems prior to them affecting customers. This provides a better user experience, improved end-user comfort and higher revenue. In addition, RUM help groups make informed choices about following design and improvement projects based on user interactions using the tool.

Here are some examples of how RUM has been used efficaciously to elevate user experiences and application performance:

  • E-Commerce: A major online retailer used RUM to identify and resolve performance issues that were impacting their checkout process. By analyzing the data collected by their RUM tool, they were able to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue and fix it quickly, resulting in a significant improvement in the checkout experience for their customers.
  • Media: A popular news website utilized RUM to optimize its video streaming service. By examining the gathered information, they were able to identify which videos were causing the most buffering issues and optimize their delivery system to ensure a smooth viewing experience for their users.
  • Finance: Major financial institutions use RUM to identify and resolve performance issues that were impacting their online banking platform. Examining the gathered data using a RUM tool, they can pinpoint the exact cause of the issue and fix it quickly, resulting in a more secure and reliable online banking experience for their customers.
  • Healthcare: Healthcare providers employ RUM to optimize their patient portals. By analyzing the collected data, they may be able to identify which pages were causing the most performance issues and optimize them to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for their patients.
  • Online Travel Agencies: Online travel agencies use RUM to monitor user behavior on the websites and mobile apps, and identify areas where users are experiencing friction. This data is used to improve the booking steps and customize the user experience, enhancing conversion and customer satisfaction as a result.
  • Governments: Government agencies use RUM to monitor user engagement with their online services, identifying areas where citizens are experiencing difficulty. They use gathered information to enhance the citizens' satisfaction and increase their engagement with government services.
  • Education: Educational institutions use RUM to monitor student engagement with their online courses and resources. They use this data to identify areas where students are struggling and improve the overall learning experience, increasing student satisfaction and retention.

These are only some examples of how RUM are used across various industries to enhance consumer reports and application performance. By gathering and analyzing statistics on actual user behavior, corporations pick out areas for improvement and optimize their virtual merchandise to satisfy the needs of their customers. These examples show the versatility and applicability of RUM throughout various industries and spotlight the importance of the usage of actual-time information to optimize user experiences and software performance.

What are the Best RUM tools?​

There are some of the popular RUM tools and platforms mentioned below, and there are others on the market. In general, these platforms offer a full-stack comprehensive monitoring and analytics solution platform with RUM capabilities that monitors website performance and provides insights into user experience, including real-user monitoring and analytics, transaction tracing, error detection, and performance metrics like error rates, latency, and other metrics. It provides insights into performance, security, and availability. When choosing a RUM tool, it's important to find and decide on products and services that meet your specific needs and requirements.

Best real user monitoring tools are as follows:

  1. Datadog
  2. New Relic
  3. Elastic APM
  4. Splunk - Akamai
  5. Pingdom
  6. Sentry
  7. AppDynamics
  8. Site24x7
  9. ORaygun
  10. Uptrends
  11. Boomerang
  12. Catchpoint
  13. Rapidspike
  14. SpeedCurve
  15. Sematext

What are the Best Practices for Implementing Real User Monitoring?​

When it comes to RUM, companies have a lot of options for best practices to follow. Despite the fact that it is of the utmost importance to select the Real User Monitoring methods that are most appropriate for the services or products in concern. Here are some best practices for most RUM users should be aware of:

  • Test Performance of New Products or Features: Before launching new products or features, test their performance using RUM to identify potential issues and make informed decisions about potential improvements.
  • Share Powerful Data with your Marketing Team: Share RUM data with your marketing team to gain a deeper understanding of how users are interacting with your website or application and to make data-driven decisions about marketing strategies.
  • Combine your RUM Solution with Transaction Tracing, Log Management, and Infrastructure Monitoring: Combining RUM with other monitoring tools provides a more complete view of performance and helps identify issues that are impacting the user experience.
  • Reduce Impact of Performance Issues on Your Bottom Line: Implement RUM to identify and address performance issues that impact your bottom lines, such as slow page load times or high bounce rates.
  • Check for Failure in Third-Party Code: Use RUM to monitor the performance of third-party code and identify any issues that may be impacting the user experience.
  • Balance Data Privacy and User Experience: When implementing RUM, balance the need to collect performance data with the need to protect user privacy and maintain a positive user experience.

What are the Challenges or Limitations of Real User Monitoring?​

RUM collects sensitive customer information along with IP addresses, device records, and location statistics. This raises concerns about privacy and protection, in particular in light of guidelines like GDPR and CCPA. Another common challenge regarding real user monitoring is that RUM calls for a good-sized amount of technical expertise to install and keep it working, including the capability to analyze and interpret the collected data. Additionally, RUM might not be capable of capturing all user interactions, particularly if the user has disabled JavaScript or cookies. To bypass those barriers, businesses can combine RUM with different equipment, together with analytics systems, to gain a greater complete view of user behavior. In addition, groups collaborate with different stakeholders, consisting of developers and product managers, to ensure that RUM data is utilized effectively to improve the user experience.