There was news that Google Data Studio was globally released this week. However, I think the bigger news was that there were some upgrades to the features available including an improvement to the filters and the additional of custom segments from Google Analytics.
Let’s step through the filter updates first.
In a usability study we did for a client pitch in 2009, we queried users how they looked for auto repair vendors. We didn’t ask them how they ‘searched’ for these repair shops, so we got answers like “I ask my dad” or “my husband picked a place” . . . a pretty typical scenario.
We further asked them, what factors they ultimately used to make the selection. Where location and distance from home/work a factor? The resounding answer was YES.
If you haven’t been looking at Google Data Studio to create great reports and sleek dashboards, you have been missing out. For those of use who have been slathering ourselves in the sleek functionality, we have only been held back by the restriction of creating only 5 reports per profile.
Yes, it hearkened back to the days of Analytics Profiles and Goal Creation in Google Analytics. However, Google Announced an early bit of love it is spreading by lifting the 5 report limit in Data Studio.
Over the years, I have clung to the phrase “fact based decision making” as a kind of guiding principle. There are time when you gut might jump in there and lead you down the right path. However, there is a real problem with letting your gut determine the path.
In a recent meeting, a client did a new page design review with their web user team. This client has a network of sites that follows the same structure and UX, so it is basically changed one place and changed everywhere.
As most of us know, getting your business users to get engaged with web analytics can be a challenge. You can send them Google analytics reports, create endless dashboards or do extensive monthly reports and recommendations.
Sometimes the trick is making it simple, but adding a dash of insight. One method we use at Digital Insight Labs is to use information graphics. Yes, we do the homework by creating dashboards and extensive reports. After that process, we use a tool called Venngage to create these dashboards. An example of one is below.