Google Data Studio is the place to merge results from different sources, in an organized way, into one report. But how does this handy reporting tool work? What can you do with it? And why is Google Data Studio so useful? We explain it all in this blog.
What is Google Data Studio?
Google Data Studio is a free tool that allows you to create clear reports. This reporting tool is almost always used to display website statistics from, for example, Google Analytics or other external parties. For example, have you deployed a marketing campaign or have you recently started working on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? Then Google Data Studio is a handy tool to chart the progress of the results.
The benefits of a dashboard
We have been using Google Data Studio for years to make all our reports insightful for clients. Together with tools like Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and Google Search Console, you can turn your website into a real marketing machine. To reinforce the useful features of Google Data Studio, we list some of the benefits of the reporting tool.
Data from various sources in one place
Measuring is knowing. We want to know everything about our Web site these days. How many visitors do you receive each day? How long do they stay on your website? Why do they leave your website? All this data gives you ammunition to improve your website. So it is quite possible that you use different sources for your website statistics. For example, various open source connectors, Google Analytics and WooCommerce are among the data sources commonly used by companies. With Google Data Studio you can combine data from various sources into one report.
Some data sources are not publicly available. For this, you have additional costs to a provider such as Supermetrics. They pull real-time data from sources such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Real time and live data
If you use data sources from Google, for example, Google Data Studio is always up to date and provided with live data. The data displayed in the reporting tool are always in real time, i.e. up-to-date. This way you are not behind the times and you can immediately make adjustments when your numbers do not seem to be heading towards the desired goal.
Segments and filters
The many features within Google Data Studio allow you to keep track of your data very precisely. A filter has been created for each small segment so that you never mix up figures. In this way, you can work very precisely and make changes in every area if necessary.
Graphs and diagrams
Images say more than a thousand words. Google Data Studio understood that, too. That's why you can select statistics and put them into graphs and charts. The reporting tool has different templates with all kinds of tables, graphs, charts or a geographical map. So take a leisurely look at what options are available. Do you want to put everything together yourself from scratch? Then you can use all your creativity in Google Data Studio and build your own template with graphs and charts.
Working with date range
When your campaign has already started, you want to compare the results with the time when the campaign was not yet active. This way you can see substantiated results on whether the campaign is achieving its goal, or not. Therefore, Google Data Studio has placed a filter that sorts data by the chosen date. This allows you to see differences in results monthly, weekly or even daily.
Cloud based: easy access for everyone
Google Data Studio makes it easy to share your reporting with others. As a marketer, have you set up a campaign and want to justify the results to executives, colleagues or other stakeholders? Share the Google Data Studio link and watch the same report together, on different devices.
Data insightful with resultsmatter
Do you care about the results of your website? Our proven resultsmatter program is entirely focused on your results and how to improve them. When you purchase a resultsmatter program, you will receive a monthly report from Google Data Studio tailored to your goals. This could include the rankings of the chosen keywords, the number of backlinks obtained, the number of referring domains and the number of (organic) visitors. But do you have a work-at-home website? Then we can include figures such as the number of job applicants and number of requests through contact forms.
Google Data Studio becomes Looker Studio
In October 2022, Google Data Studio underwent a name change. From now on, the reporting tool will go by the name Looker Studio. The name is not the only change to this tool. There are a number of new features that will make your work even easier and worth sharing. Are you curious about these new features? In our new blog we will update you on them. Stay tuned!
Need help creating a data studio?
Need help creating a Google Data Studio? Or would you just like to be introduced to Google Data Studio through training? Get in touch with 2manydots. Our experienced specialists will be happy to help you with any questions about Google Data Studio. To measure is to know!