December 2018 Summaries

Heap's Snapshots, also known as Custom Properties, enable the capture of additional metadata about user actions on a site without the need for custom tracking code. This feature allows for the retention of specific event-related data such as search queries, shopping cart details, screen dimensions, and user timezone, thereby enhancing the understanding of user interactions and optimizing site design. Snapshots can also be utilized to call Heap APIs and are beneficial for capturing various user properties, such as push notification status and logged-in state, which can be leveraged for high-level content analysis and user behavior insights. For instance, they can help determine the effectiveness of different image types in eCommerce or analyze page load times to understand their impact on user engagement. However, some limitations exist, such as the inability to update navigation timing events in Single Page Applications.

Heap's analysis of millions of anonymized online orders from seven major U.S. ecommerce sites reveals that, as of September 2018, desktop sales still dominate with 56% of the sales, while mobile sales account for 36% and are on the rise. Tablets, on the other hand, contribute only 9% and are declining rapidly. The study highlights the prominence of Apple platforms in ecommerce, with iOS and Mac collectively responsible for 62.6% of all sales, significantly outpacing Microsoft Windows and Google platforms. Despite the overall growth of mobile sales, desktop remains the primary platform for ecommerce transactions, although the share of sales on mobile is rapidly increasing. Meanwhile, Apple's operating systems continue to grow their share in the market, while Windows and Android see a decline, with Google’s Chrome OS showing the fastest growth rate despite its small market share.

Heap was recognized as the Best Place to Work in 2019 among small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. by Glassdoor, ranking first out of 50 in the Employees’ Choice Awards. This accolade, based on employee feedback on Glassdoor, highlights the company's commitment to its workforce, as evidenced by a 5 out of 5 employee rating and a 100 percent approval rating for CEO Matin Movassate. Since 2017, Heap has significantly expanded its workforce and opened new offices in New York City and Salt Lake City. The company specializes in automatically collecting, organizing, and analyzing customer behavioral data, which helps businesses improve their products and customer experiences. Heap's mission is to assist companies in making data-driven decisions by eliminating technical obstacles and providing a comprehensive view of customer interactions.

Heap is celebrated for its dynamic work culture, which is highlighted by its distinctive team-building initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and creativity among employees, affectionately known as "Heaple." The company integrates playful and engaging activities such as cross-team lunch meetings with cookie incentives, a Dessert Cart for new hires to connect with colleagues, and the Marshmallow Challenge to encourage teamwork and innovative problem-solving. Heap emphasizes a balance of work and play by hosting team-run "Heappy Hours" that allow different teams to plan themed events, promoting creativity and friendly competition. Additionally, "Life & Learns" sessions support knowledge sharing on diverse topics, reflecting Heap's value of "Slope Over Y-Intercept," which prioritizes growth and development. These initiatives not only strengthen the community within Heap but also align with its core values, making it an attractive workplace for potential employees.