What is Dashboard?
TL;DR
A visual display consolidating key metrics for quick understanding of performance. Good dashboards show KPIs at a glance with trends over time. They answer "how are we doing?" without requiring deep analysis. Build dashboards in Google Analytics 4, Google Data Studio (Looker Studio), or third-party tools. Effective dashboards focus on what matters, resist cramming in every available metric. Include comparisons (vs. last month, vs. goal) for context. Segment dashboards by stakeholder: executives need high-level revenue and ROI; marketing needs channel performance; developers need Core Web Vitals. Automate dashboard delivery so stakeholders see updates without logging in. A dashboard nobody checks is worthless. Design dashboards that answer real questions and prompt action when metrics move in concerning directions.
On this page
Frequently Asked Questions About Dashboard
What should I include on my marketing dashboard?
Your 3-5 most important KPIs with trend lines, comparison to last period and goals, and traffic/conversion sources. Keep it focused, a cluttered dashboard with 50 metrics gets ignored. Design for quick understanding at a glance.
What tools can I use to build dashboards?
Google Looker Studio (free, connects to GA4), GA4's built-in dashboards, or third-party tools like Databox, Klipfolio, or agency-specific platforms. Choose based on your data sources and who needs access.
How often should dashboards be updated?
Automate daily or weekly updates. Manual dashboards go stale. Most tools pull live data automatically. Set up email delivery so stakeholders see updates without needing to log in and remember.
Why do dashboards often go unused?
Too many metrics, confusing layout, no actionable insights, or wrong audience. A good dashboard answers 'how are we doing?' at a glance and prompts 'what should we do about it?' when metrics move concerning directions.
Terms Related to Dashboard
Google Analytics 4
Google's current analytics platform (GA4), which replaced Universal Analytics in July 2023. Unlike its predecessor that...
Read definition AnalyticsKPI
Key Performance Indicator, the metrics most critical to your business success. Not every metric is a KPI; KPIs are the v...
Read definition AnalyticsReporting
The process of compiling analytics data into understandable summaries for stakeholders. Good reporting translates number...
Read definition AnalyticsAttribution Model
The rule determining which marketing touchpoints receive credit for a conversion. A customer might see a Facebook ad, se...
Read definition AnalyticsAverage Position
In Google Search Console, the average ranking position for a query or page in Google search results. Position 1 is the t...
Read definition AnalyticsBenchmark
Performance standards used for comparison, either industry averages or your own historical data. Benchmarks answer "is t...
Read definition