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Data Studio Features
Google Data Studio is an integrated dashboard and metrics analysis and reporting tool that may just be what your business needs. In tune with the requirements of the digital age customer, this clever and well-designed tool is favoured by those who use Google Analytics as it integrates very easily (as it does with many other platforms) and because it comes from Google.
In the age we are in, the consumer needs to know that they’re being treated as number 1, and they want to enjoy a consumer journey that will engage and satisfy them. Used to social media, customers expect interaction and attention, and with tools such as Data Studio you can give them what they want.
Data Studio is designed to bring together information on your website, app and ads and tell you how they are performing, and to provide information in an easy to read and informative way that everyone can understand. Let’s talk about how it can help you, then look at some of the features.
Pros
- Free, no matter how many connections you do
- Works with a lot of the tools you are already using
- Easy and quick way to run reports on your data
Cons
- Limited availability of connectors
- You will need analytic skills if you aren’t using the templates
How Data Studio Works
If you are familiar with Google Analytics then you will pick up Data Studio quickly, as it is designed to work in conjunction with the former. It is designed similarly, too, but what you will notice is there is much more information available to work with.
Some users may be put off by the fact it is clearly Google-oriented, but that should not be taken as a bad thing as it does make some actions a lot easier to handle and process. Let’s talk about some of the features of Data Studio.
Dashboard Customization
In terms of dashboard tailoring, Data Studio takes things further than Google Analytics, while using a similar format. You can design dashboards for many uses and there are fewer limitations than with the sister product.
For example, with Analytics you can use up to 12 widgets for your dashboard and can only view the data in the view that the dashboard is presently. With Data Studio you can use as many widgets as you wish, ad as many pages to the report as you need, and connect your data with multiple Google Analytics accounts for greater flexibility and reporting accuracy. This sort of broad access is what the modern business needs.
Live Data Connection
With many such tools, there is a requirement to physically connect with the data source you want to use to refresh the data. With Data Studio, several major platforms are connected live via built-in connectors, which means information is being updated all the time and your information is always accurate in real time. However, you need to be aware which platforms these are, so here’s a list:
- DoubleClick
- Google AdWords
- Google Analytics and Google Analytics 360
- Google Attribution 360
- Google BigQuery
- Google Cloud SQL
- Google Sheets
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- YouTube Channel
- Data Uploader
As can be seen the list is heavily Google oriented, but these are all useful data sources for getting to grips with how your website and ads are performing in Google’s eyes, which is of course the main aim of analysing website and search performance.
Custom Metrics and Dynamic Controls
You can choose your own formulas for metrics and insert them as and where needed, and these can be logic formulas or mathematical, from simple to the more complex. This is a useful way of tailoring reports to specific clients, products or demographics.
Also, the Data Studio package is equipped with dynamic controls that make it easier for people to scroll through the data they don’t want to see to reach that which is relevant. Users can change date filters, for example, and you can hide or display information from specific users should you wish. Where Data Studio scores heavily is in collaboration, with the emphasis on sharing data – whether with your team or with clients – to improve the consumer experience and improve your ROI.
What do we think of Data Studio overall?
Conclusion
Data Studio is from the Google family of products so, as you would expect, it seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics and other platforms from Google. It can also integrate with many others. The live data connection is a welcome touch, as are the dynamic controls, and if there’s one area where other packages may be better it’s that the visual presentations are not as clear cut, and can be hard to get to grips with. At the moment it’s free to certain users, so check it out and have a look at it.