Many people that run small to medium websites are usually running a handful. In this case, flipping back and forth through the Google Analytics app can be time consuming. In this article, I’d like to show you two different ways to save you some time.
There’s the correct way to do this and the incorrect way. I’m going to show you the incorrect way and link to the correct way.
The correct way to do this would be to set up all of the properties under one account and then create a roll up property. You should go this route if you can. If you can’t do this due to property limitations, you don’t own all of the websites, or you don’t want Google knowing that the websites are owned by the same person, keep reading.
The first option is to use Data Control.
Using Data Control to Save Time
In this scenario, you build out all of the reporting and analytics that you’d like to see across all of the websites. Or if you’re lazy like me, you copy someone else’s dashboard and you tweak it to meet your need.
Next, you’re going to add the Data Control. While editing your dashboard, go to “Insert” at the top and then “Data Control”.
Simple enough. Now anytime you want to see a different websites’ metrics, it’s a quick dropdown. This will work with any property you have access to. That unfortunately doesn’t solve the issue of seeing the properties rolled together.
To do this, you’re going to have to go through a much more painful process of blending custom data sources for each group of charts or graphs.
Blended Data Sources to Roll-Up Reporting
First, you’re going to want to blend the data to get the metrics you need.
- Go to “Data Source” in the right panel and add your data sources to the report. For this example, I’m only adding 2.
- Once you have 2 or more data sources added, a “Blend Data” button will appear. Click there.
- Pick a “Joining Key” that will be used as the pivot dimension. My example uses Date.
- Pick which metrics you want to track and name them differently to avoid confusion.
- Select any filters or segments that you’d like to use.
What you should be left with is something like the below.
The second thing you’re going to have to do is create calculate fields.
- Click “Add Metric” below your metrics and click “Create Field”.
- Use the formula function to create the calculated fields.
- Click apply and remove the non-calculated fields.
Once your reports are set up, set up an automated email distribution to yourself so that you can quit wasting time looking in GA and instead focus on building your websites. From a performance perspective for your sites, do the same with Core Web Vitals and have them sent to yourself once a month.