How Do You Create GA4 Dashboards Step by Step?

How Do You Create GA4 Dashboards Step by Step?

Creating a GA4 dashboard is crucial for visualizing and analyzing key performance metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategy optimization.

By: Menahil Shahzad | 4 mins read
Published: Jul 12, 2024 8:17:06 AM | Updated: Sep 04, 2024 01:39:06 PM

Are you fully using the power of your Google Analytics 4 data, or are you still stuck with the default "My Dashboard"?

Let's imagine having a customized dashboard that provides instant insights into the metrics that matter most to you, helping you make data-driven decisions faster and with ease. 

Are you fascinated by the idea of transforming your analytics experience? Yes, you can and we’ll help you with that. 

Google Analytics, is the leading web analytics platform used by 50.9% of all websites. It has become an indispensable tool for digital marketers seeking insights into traffic acquisition, user behavior, and business outcomes.

This blog will guide you step-by-step on creating and customizing your GA4 dashboard.

Get in touch to learn about Analytico’s Digital Analytics Audit services or GA4 audit services.

What is the GA4 Dashboard?

What is GA4 Dashboard

A Google Analytics 4 dashboard is a visual tool that presents your website or app's data in an easy-to-understand format. It allows users to analyze key metrics and gain insights into audience behavior, acquisition, and engagement in real time.

Unlike previous versions, GA4 dashboards offer enhanced customization and integration capabilities, making them a powerful tool for optimizing website performance and marketing strategies.

Key Features of GA4 Dashboards

Key Feature's of GA4 Dashboard

  • Customizable Widgets

GA4 custom dashboards enable you to create and arrange widgets that display specific data points relevant to your business needs. This customization ensures you can focus on the most important metrics for your objectives.

  • Real-Time Data

With GA4 dashboards, you can access up-to-the-minute data on user interactions with your site or app. This feature is crucial for monitoring ongoing campaigns and understanding immediate user behavior.

  • User-Friendly Interface

The intuitive design and user interface of GA4 dashboards make it easy to create, adjust, and manage your data panels. This simplicity ensures that users of all skill levels can effectively navigate and utilize the dashboard.

  • Integration with Google Services

GA4 dashboards can seamlessly integrate with other Google services, enhancing your data analysis capabilities. This integration allows for a more comprehensive view of your marketing and performance metrics.

GA4 dashboards are designed to simplify complex data, providing clear insights that support informed decision-making. 

Whether you're tracking user engagement, analyzing sales data, or monitoring marketing campaigns, GA4 dashboards offer the tools and flexibility to meet your analytic needs.

How to Create a GA4 Dashboard

Creating a GA4 custom dashboard allows you to visualize and interpret data effectively, making it easier to understand user behavior, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and make data-driven decisions. 

This guide will walk you through the steps to create a GA4 dashboard.

Pre Reguist!

Before creating a dashboard, ensure that you have set up GA4 for your website or app. If you haven't done this yet, follow these blog sources.

Let's Get Started!

You can either use a pre-built template or start with a blank dashboard in the exploration section. 

Templates are a great way to quickly get started, as they come with predefined widgets and data cards. But as this blog is about creating a GA4 dashboard so we’ll start from scratch.

Step 1: Access the GA4 Interface

Go to the GA4 property you set up and Navigate to the "Reports" section.

Step2: Create a New Dashboard

In the left-hand menu, click on "Explore. In the explore section "Click on "Blank" to start a new exploration.

How to create Ga4 Dashboard

Step 3: Add Data to Your Dashboard

How to Create GA4 Dashboard

Use the "Variables" pane to select the GA4 Custom dimensions and metrics you want to include. Drag and drop these dimensions and metrics into the "Tab Settings" pane to configure your visualizations.

Dashboard Components:

  • Widgets: Widgets are the building blocks of your dashboard. They can display various types of data, such as metrics, dimensions, and charts.
  • Data Cards: These are predefined widgets that you can use to display specific data points.

Step 4: Customize Visualizations

Add different types of charts (e.g., bar charts, line charts, scatter plots) to your dashboard. You can also include different data cards in your dashboard.

Customize each chart by selecting the relevant dimensions and metrics, and adjusting settings like filters, segments, and date ranges.

Step 5: Save and Share Your Dashboard

Once your dashboard is set up, you can save it by clicking the "Save" button. Share your dashboard with others by clicking the "Share" button and selecting the appropriate options.

Step 6: Monitor and Optimize

Check your dashboard regularly to monitor key metrics and identify trends. Use insights from your dashboard to inform business decisions.

Based on the data, make any necessary adjustments to your GA4 setup or your website/app.

Update your dashboard as needed to reflect any changes in your tracking or reporting requirements.

Tip!

Enhance Your Dashboard with Cards: 

Make sure to explore both "Summary Cards" and "Other Cards" to select the most relevant metrics for your dashboard. For instance, adding a "Users by Audience" card will display relevant data in the chosen dashboard.

Advantages of GA4 Custom Dashboard

Benefits of GA4 Dashboard

Creating a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) dashboard offers several advantages:

1. Centralized Data Visualization

A GA4 dashboard allows you to consolidate key metrics and visualizations in one place, making it easier to monitor and analyze performance.

2. Customization

You can tailor the dashboard to focus on the specific metrics and KPIs that are most relevant to your business goals and objectives.

3. Real-time Insights

GA4 dashboards can provide real-time or near-real-time data updates, giving you timely insights into user behavior and campaign performance.

4. Cross-platform Tracking

GA4 is designed to track user interactions across multiple platforms and devices, providing a more comprehensive view of the customer journey.

5. Ease of Sharing

Dashboards can be shared easily with stakeholders within your organization, facilitating collaboration and informed decision-making.

6. Automation

With the right setup, you can automate data refreshes and reporting, saving time and ensuring data accuracy.

7. Visualization Options

GA4 dashboards support various visualization options such as charts, graphs, and tables, making it easier to interpret data and identify trends.

Overall, creating a GA4 dashboard helps businesses leverage data-driven insights to optimize marketing efforts, improve user experience, and achieve their strategic objectives more.

Important Metrics to Track in GA4 Dashboard effectively

Creating a comprehensive GA4 dashboard involves tracking essential metrics that offer valuable insights into your website or app's performance. 

Here's a breakdown of key metrics across different categories:

Category 

Metrics 

Description 

User Metrics

Active Users

Number of users interacting within a specific period.

 

New Users

Count of first-time users during the chosen timeframe.

 

Returning Users 

Users who have visited your site or app before.

Acquisition Metrics

Traffic Source/Medium

Origin of traffic (e.g., organic, direct, referral).

 

Campaign Performance

Metrics related to specific marketing campaigns.

Behavior Metrics 

Pageviews

Total number of pages viewed across your site.

 

Events

Specific user interactions (e.g., clicks, video plays).

 

Avg. Session Duration

Average time spent per user visit

Conversion Metrics 

Goal Completions

Number of goal achievements (e.g., sign-ups, purchases).

 

Ecommerce Transactions

Total sales revenue generated.

 

Conversion Rate

Percentage of visits resulting in goal completions.

Conclusion

Creating a custom GA4 dashboard allows you to leverage the full potential of your Google Analytics data, making it easier to gain insights and make data-driven decisions. 

By following this step-by-step guide, you can build a dashboard that meets your unique needs, helping you track key metrics, monitor performance, and optimize your marketing strategies. 

Start transforming your analytics experience today and unlock the power of your data with a tailored GA4 dashboard.

Do you like what you read? Learn more about Digital Analytics on our blog here.