Field guide

How to read customer traffic

Use the shape of your observations to distinguish repeatable periods from noise and isolated spikes.

Compare shapes, not just peaks

Look for clusters of stronger hours. A cluster is usually more informative than one unusually high cell.

The heatmap scales each day independently, so use the printed raw values when comparing one day with another.

Keep the unit consistent

Customers per hour and relative indices describe different things. Pick the unit that matches your notes and do not switch units halfway through a week.

Observe again before generalizing

A single week can contain unusual events. Save your conclusion outside the site, gather another complete week, and compare the pattern again.