Google Data Studio
Google Data Studio (in beta) gives you everything you need to turn your client’s analytics data into informational, easy-to-understand reports through data visualization.
The reports are easy to read, easy to share and even customizable to each of your clients. You can select how you want to present the data — bar graphs, charts, line graphs and so on. You can even change fonts and colors and brand the reports with your logo.
What is Google Data Studio?
One thing that’s cool about Data Studio is that you can pull in more than just Google Analytics data – you can even import Facebook data, as long as you put that information into a Google Sheet. (That’s right. Any reporting information you have on a Google Sheet can be pulled into Google Data Studio — and your beautiful reports!) If you can get your data into Google Sheets, it can show up in your reports.
The reports are also dynamic, so when there’s an update to the data source, the updated/new information automatically shows up on any reports that reference the source. Additionally, the reports are shareable, so you can grant people permission to view the reports and/or allow them to make changes.
Google Data Studio uses the same functionality as Google Docs and Google Sheets, so all you need to do is press the “Share” button to let your clients or other members of your team view or edit the reports.
How to Access Google Data Studio
To access Google Data Studio, visit https://www.google.com/analytics/data-studio and log in using your Google Analytics login information. Right now, if you’re using the free version of Google Analytics, you get a limited version of Data Studio. You can create up to five custom reports for free.
When you first log in, you will see some sample reports that will give you a good idea of the look and feel of the reports and the types of information you can pull into your custom reports once you get going. Go through each of these sample reports so you can see all of the possibilities.
When you click on the “Welcome to Data Studio! (Start here)” link, you’re taken to a visual, interactive tutorial that will walk you step-by-step through what Data Studio can do and how to get started. Be sure to check this out.
Google also provides you with a YouTube video that you can watch to get a quick overview of the tool, and it gives you a walk-through on how to connect your data sources and create your first report.
In the upper left-hand corner of the home page, you will see Reports and Data Sources. Reports let you create reports and data visualizations. Data Sources are reusable components that connect a report to your data, such as Google Analytics, Google Sheets, Google AdWords, and so forth.
Is Google Data Studio right for you?
If you’re the type of person who likes working with spreadsheets, you might not think that Data Studio is a big deal. But for some who dislike spreadsheets, this is a godsend. (Finally! You can take a look at your analytics data - and it makes sense.)
Now, when you’re talking to your local clients, you can easily show them the results of your efforts in an easy-to-understand, brandable report! By sharing these reports with your clients, they will be able to see how your digital marketing efforts are paying off - which is definitely good for your business.
