Creating Dashboards in Google Analytics 12/10/2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to Dashboards... 3 Adding Data to Dashboards... 3 Creating a Management Dashboard... 4 1. Starting the Dashboard... 4 2. Adding the Total Visits this period Widget... 4 3. Adding the Total Pageviews this period Widget... 5 4. Adding the Pages per Visit Widget... 5 5. Adding the Pageviews by Day Widget... 6 6. Adding the Most Viewed Sections Widget... 6 7. Adding the Visitors and Visits Widget... 7 8. Adding the Top Cities by Visitors Widget... 7 9. Adding the Visits by Source widget... 8 10. Completing the Management Dashboard... 8 Creating a Dashboard for Site Search Tracking... 9 1. Starting the Dashboard... 9 2. Adding the Visits with Search widget... 9 3. Adding the Visits with Site Search widget... 10 4. Adding the Top Search Terms widget... 10 5. Adding the Results Pageviews/Search Widget... 11 6. Adding the % Search Refinements Widget... 11 7. Adding the Search Refinements Widget... 12 8. Adding the % Exits after Search Widget... 12 9. Completing the Site Search Tracking Dashboard... 13 Creating a Social Media Dashboard... 14 1. Starting the Dashboard... 14 1
2. Adding the Visits from Social Sources widget... 14 3. Adding the Visits by Social Sources widget... 15 4. Adding the % New Social Visits widget... 15 5. Adding the Top 10 Landing Pages from Facebook widget... 16 6. Adding the Facebook Visitors Daily widget... 16 7. Completing the Social Media Dashboard... 17 Creating a Dashboard for News... 18 1. Starting the Dashboard... 18 2. Adding the Top 10 News Pages widget... 18 3. Adding the Top 10 Cities by Visitors to News widget... 19 4. Adding the Pageviews To News By Day widget... 19 5. Adding the In-State Visitors to News Widget... 20 6. Adding the In-State Visitors to News Widget... 20 7. Adding the Traffic Sources to News Widget... 21 8. Completing the News Dashboard... 21 Creating a Dashboard for Visitors Technology... 22 1. Starting the Dashboard... 22 2. Adding the Top 10 Browsers Widget... 22 3. Adding the Top 10 Service Providers Widget... 23 4. Adding the Screen Resolution Widget... 23 5. Adding the Java Support widget... 24 6. Adding the Operating System widget... 24 7. Adding the Top 10 Mobile Devices Widget... 25 8. Completing the Visitor Technology Dashboard... 25 Appendix... 26 Regular Expressions... 26 2
INTRODUCTION TO DASHBOARDS A dashboard is a special type of Google Analytics report that aggregates a collection of statistics on a single page. It is a way to view data that would otherwise be found in separate reports all at once on a single report. You can create dashboards around a single kind of statistic like visitors, or around a variety of statistics that may be useful to you. When you create a dashboard, it is visible only in the profile and user account in which you created it which means it can only be seen by you (or someone using your logon). Currently, dashboards cannot be shared or exported. You can create up to 20 dashboards. Each dashboard consists of up to 12 report elements called widgets. A widget can contain statistics in the form of a pie chart, a timeline, a data table, or a single data point, for example Daily Visits. When viewing a dashboard, the period of the displayed data covers the last 30 days, but you can easily adjust the time frame to view data for any period, and to make comparisons to prior periods. ADDING DATA TO DASHBOARDS There are two methods of adding data to a dashboard. This guide gives step-by-step instructions for both methods. Add data using the Add a Widget wizard, under the Home > Dashboards menu. Add data using the Add to Dashboard option, after first obtaining the data you want by pulling it up in a Standard or Custom report. The resultant dashboard is identical with either method the difference being that widgets created using the Standard/Custom report method are clickable, meaning that when the dashboard is viewed, it is possible to drill down to the underlying report. Note that each Profile comes with a built-in starter dashboard (called My Dashboard) already set up with a selection of widgets. You can use this supplied dashboard as a basis for your own dashboard, or start from a blank canvas. This guide assumes each dashboard is created from a blank canvas. This guide shows how a variety of suggested dashboards can be created. Management Dashboard Site Search Tracking Dashboard Social Media Dashboard News Visitor Technology 3
CREATING A MANAGEMENT DASHBOARD 1. STARTING THE DASHBOARD 1. Log on to Google Analytics and select your account and profile 2. Click the Home tab 3. In the left-hand pane, expand Dashboards, then click + New Dashboard 4. Select Blank Canvas 5. Enter the name Management Dashboard, and then click Create Dashboard 2. ADDING THE TOTAL VISITS THIS PERIOD WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Visits 3. Change the Widget title to Total Visits this period, click Save 4
3. ADDING THE TOTAL PAGEVIEWS THIS PERIOD WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Pageviews 3. Change the Widget title to Total Pageviews this period, click Save 4. ADDING THE PAGES PER VISIT WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Pages/Visit 3. Change the Widget title to Avg. Pages/Visit, click Save 5
5. ADDING THE PAGEVIEWS BY DAY WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Content, then Site Content and select Pages 3. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu 4. Select the Management Dashboard 5. Check to Add a Timeline; change the Widget Title to Pageviews by Day 6. Click Add to Dashboard 6. ADDING THE MOST VIEWED SECTIONS WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Content, then Site Content and select Content Drilldown 3. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu 4. Select the Management Dashboard 5. Check to Add a Timeline; change the Widget Title to Most Viewed Sections 6. Click Add to Dashboard 6
7. ADDING THE VISITORS AND VISITS WIDGET 2. Select the Timeline tab. Set the first metric to Visitors and the second metric to Visits 3. Change the Widget title to Visitors and Visits, click Save 8. ADDING THE TOP CITIES BY VISITORS WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Audience, then Demographics and select Location 3. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu 4. Select the Management Dashboard 5. Check to Add a Table; change the Widget Title to Top Cities by Visitors 6. Click Add to Dashboard 7
9. ADDING THE VISITS BY SOURCE WIDGET 2. Select the Pie tab. In the pie chart list, select Visits, then grouped by Source 3. Change the Widget title to Visits by Source, click Save 10. COMPLETING THE MANAGEMENT DASHBOARD Re-arrange the widgets to complete the dashboard layout to your preference. 8
CREATING A DASHBOARD FOR SITE SEARCH TRACKING 1. STARTING THE DASHBOARD 1. Log on to Google Analytics and select your account and profile 2. Click the Home tab 3. In the left-hand pane, expand Dashboards, then click + New Dashboard 4. Select Blank Canvas 5. Enter the name Site Search Tracking, and Create Dashboard 2. ADDING THE VISITS WITH SEARCH WIDGET 2. Select the Timeline tab. In the metric list, select to graph Visits with Search over time 3. [Optionally] Compare to Search Refinements 4. Change the Widget title to Visits with Search, click Save 9
3. ADDING THE VISITS WITH SITE SEARCH WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Content, then Site Search and select Overview 3. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu 4. Select the Site Search Tracking dashboard 5. Check to Add a Pie; change the Widget Title to Visits with Site Search 6. Click Add to Dashboard 4. ADDING THE TOP SEARCH TERMS WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Search Term. In the second column, add the metric Total Unique Searches. In the third column, add the metric Time after Search 3. Change the Widget title to Top Search Terms, click Save 10
5. ADDING THE RESULTS PAGEVIEWS/SEARCH WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Results Pageviews/Search, click Save 6. ADDING THE % SEARCH REFINEMENTS WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select % Search Refinements, click Save 11
7. ADDING THE SEARCH REFINEMENTS WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Search Refinements, click Save 8. ADDING THE % EXITS AFTER SEARCH WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Site Search Status. In the second column, add the metric % Search Exits 3. Change the Widget title to % Exits after Search, click Save 12
9. COMPLETING THE SITE SEARCH TRACKING DASHBOARD Re-arrange the widgets to complete the dashboard layout to your preference. 13
CREATING A SOCIAL MEDIA DASHBOARD 1. STARTING THE DASHBOARD 1. Log on to Google Analytics and select your account and profile 2. Click the Home tab 3. In the left-hand pane, expand Dashboards, then click + New Dashboard 4. Select Blank Canvas 5. Enter the name Social Media Dashboard, and Create Dashboard 2. ADDING THE VISITS FROM SOCIAL SOURCES WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select Visits 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Source with a Regular Expression 1 of facebook twitter t.co$ reddit stumbleupon youtube. (Include here any other social media sites that you want to be covered by this filter). 4. Change the Widget title to Visits from Social Sources, click Save 1 See Appendix 14
3. ADDING THE VISITS BY SOCIAL SOURCES WIDGET 2. Select the Pie tab. In the pie chart list, select Visits, then grouped by Source 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Source with a Regular Expression 1 of facebook twitter t.co$ reddit stumbleupon youtube. (Include here any other social media sites that you want to be covered by this filter). 4. Change the Widget title to Visits by Social Sources, click Save 4. ADDING THE % NEW SOCIAL VISITS WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, select % New Visits 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Source with a Regular Expression 1 of facebook twitter t.co$ reddit stumbleupon youtube. (Include here any other social media sites that you want to be covered by this filter). 4. Change the Widget title to % New Social Visits, click Save 15
5. ADDING THE TOP 10 LANDING PAGES FROM FACEBOOK WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Landing Page. In the second column add the metric Visits and (optionally) in the third column add the metric Bounce Rate 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Source with a Regular Expression 1 of facebook 4. Change the Widget title to Top 10 Landing Pages from Facebook, click Save 6. ADDING THE FACEBOOK VISITORS DAILY WIDGET 2. Select the Timeline tab. In the metric list, select to graph Unique Visitors over time 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Source with a Regular Expression 1 of facebook 4. Change the Widget title to Facebook Visitors Daily, click Save 16
7. COMPLETING THE SOCIAL MEDIA DASHBOARD Re-arrange the widgets to complete the dashboard layout to your preference. 17
CREATING A DASHBOARD FOR NEWS 1. STARTING THE DASHBOARD 1. Log on to Google Analytics and select your account and profile 2 2. Click the Home tab 3. In the left-hand pane, expand Dashboards, then click + New Dashboard 4. Select Blank Canvas 5. Enter the name News, and Create Dashboard 2. ADDING THE TOP 10 NEWS PAGES WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Content, then Site Content and select Content Drilldown 3. In the page list, click on the entry for /news/ 3 4. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu and select the News Dashboard 5. Check to Add a Table; change the Widget Title to Top 10 News Pages, Add to Dashboard 2 The News dashboard would work best in a profile specifically set up for News. See the Guide to Setting up Profiles and Filters in Google Analytics. 3 Skip this step if you have set up a profile for News. If not, complete this step and use /news/ or the equivalent directory name on your site. 18
3. ADDING THE TOP 10 CITIES BY VISITORS TO NEWS WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension City. In the second column, add the metric Unique Visitors. In the third column, add the metric Avg.Time on Site 3. Select to Filter this data by Page path level 1 Exactly matching /news/ 3 4. Enter Link to Report Content / Site Content / Content Drilldown 5. Change the Widget title to Top 10 Cities by Visitors to News, click Save 4. ADDING THE PAGEVIEWS TO NEWS BY DAY WIDGET 1. On the top menu, switch to the Standard Reporting tab 2. In the left-hand pane, expand Content, then Site Content and select Pages 3. In the page list, click on the entry for /news/ 3 4. Click Add To Dashboard on the top menu 5. Select the News Dashboard 6. Check to Add a Timeline; change the Widget Title to Pageviews to News by Day 7. Click Add to Dashboard 19
5. ADDING THE IN-STATE VISITORS TO NEWS WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, Unique Visitors 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Page path level 1 Exactly matching /news/ 3 4. Add a filter to Only show the Region Exactly matching [your State] 5. Change the Widget title to In-State Visitors to News, click Save 6. ADDING THE IN-STATE VISITORS TO NEWS WIDGET 2. Select the Metric tab. In the metric list, Unique Visitors 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Page path level 1 Exactly matching /news/ 3 4. Add a filter to Don t show the Region Exactly matching [your State] 5. Change the Widget title to Out-of-State Visitors to News, click Save 20
7. ADDING THE TRAFFIC SOURCES TO NEWS WIDGET 2. Select the Pie tab. In the pie chart list, select Visits, then grouped by Traffic Type 3. Select to Filter this data to Only show the dimension Page path level 1 Exactly matching /news/ 3 4. Enter Link to Report Traffic Sources / Overview 5. Change the Widget title Traffic Sources to News, click Save 8. COMPLETING THE NEWS DASHBOARD Re-arrange the widgets to complete the dashboard layout to your preference. 21
CREATING A DASHBOARD FOR VISITORS TECHNOLOGY 1. STARTING THE DASHBOARD 1. Log on to Google Analytics and select your account and profile 2. Click the Home tab 3. In the left-hand pane, expand Dashboards, then click + New Dashboard 4. Select Blank Canvas 5. Enter the name Visitor Technology, and Create Dashboard 2. ADDING THE TOP 10 BROWSERS WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Browser. In the second column, add the metric Visits 3. Change the Widget title to Top 10 Browsers, click Save 22
3. ADDING THE TOP 10 SERVICE PROVIDERS WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Service Provider. In the second column, add the metric Visits 3. Change the Widget title to Top 10 Service Providers, click Save 4. ADDING THE SCREEN RESOLUTION WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Screen Resolution. In the second column, add the metric Visits 3. Change the Widget title to Screen Resolution, click Save 23
5. ADDING THE JAVA SUPPORT WIDGET 2. Select the Pie tab. In the pie chart list, select Visits, then grouped by Java Support 3. Change the Widget title to Java Support, click Save 6. ADDING THE OPERATING SYSTEM WIDGET 2. Select the Pie tab. In the pie chart list, select Visits, then grouped by Operating System 3. Change the Widget title to Operating System, click Save 24
7. ADDING THE TOP 10 MOBILE DEVICES WIDGET 2. Select the Table tab. In the first column, select the dimension Mobile Device Info. In the second column, add the metric Visits 3. Select to Filter this data to Don t show Mobile Device Info Exactly matching (not set) 4. Link to Report Audience / Mobile / Devices 5. Change the Widget title to Top 10 Mobile Devices, click Save 8. COMPLETING THE VISITOR TECHNOLOGY DASHBOARD Re-arrange the widgets to complete the dashboard layout to your preference 25
APPENDIX REGULAR EXPRESSIONS Use these symbols when creating a filter in a dashboard widget using Regular Expressions, to define what data should be included/excluded. Symbol Description Example Matches but not ^ Starts with ^cat cats are cool the cat. Any 1 Character.at cat, hat gnat * 0 or more pbs* pb, pbs, pbss, pbss pbx + 1 or more pbs+ pbs, pbss, pbsss pb.* Anything cat.*hat cat in the hat hat on the cat Or this that this, that? optional ca?t cat, ct $ Ends with cats$ I like cats cats are cool \ Match special character pbs\.com pbs.com pbsxcom 26