Marketing

How to Create an Agency Dashboard Like a Pro [Examples & Templates]

Post by
Andrew Pierno
How to Create an Agency Dashboard Like a Pro [Examples & Templates]

The digital marketing and brand management space will continue to grow. That means agencies like yours need to stay on the lookout for ways to boost their services and outshine the competition. 

That's where agency dashboards and automation tools come in, making the tedious work of client reporting and data analysis a thing of the past. 

So, get ready because we're about to take you on a journey through the ins and outs of creating an agency dashboard that not only streamlines your workflow but also adds value to your clients' brands and overall success. 

Let's dive in!

Understanding the Agency Dashboard – What's the Deal and Why Do You Need One?

Alright, so let's start with the basics. An agency dashboard is like a supercharged reporting and data visualization tool. 

It helps marketing and brand management agencies compile, analyze, and present their clients' campaign data from multiple sources, all in one convenient and easy-to-use interface. 

By automating data collection and reporting processes, these dashboards save you time, reduce errors, and let you focus on the important stuff – optimizing campaign performance and nurturing client relationships.

Let’s look at some of the key benefits:

Agency dashboards help with real-time data visualization

No more sifting through spreadsheets or manually creating reports! Agency dashboards offer real-time data visualization, giving you an instant overview of your clients' campaign performance across different platforms, channels, and metrics. This means you can make data-driven decisions, spot trends and opportunities, and allocate your resources more effectively.

Automated reporting and integration

Say goodbye to manual data compilation and presentation. With an agency dashboard, you can automate the generation of reports, which means less time spent on repetitive tasks. On top of that, dashboard tools often integrate seamlessly with various marketing and analytics platforms, ensuring smooth data collection and analysis.

Customization and scalability

Every client is unique, right? Well, agency dashboards can be tailored to suit each client's individual needs and priorities. You can customize widgets, templates, and visualization options to create personalized dashboards that showcase the most relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics for each client. This fosters better communication and builds trust.

Dashboards give your agency a competitive edge

By leveraging an agency dashboard, you're not only streamlining your own processes but also staying ahead of the competition. Offering your clients cutting-edge reporting and data visualization solutions adds value to your services and helps you attract and retain clients in a highly competitive market.

Leveraging screenshots for automation

Oh, here's a nifty trick! When creating your agency dashboard, you can even use screenshots to automatically pull information from your clients' accounts. This helps you keep track of website changes, monitor competitors' activities, and track your clients' SERP rankings and positions for specific keywords. Pretty cool, huh? More on that in a bit!

Building the Perfect Agency Dashboard – A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we've covered the benefits, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of building your dream agency dashboard. Follow these steps, and you'll be well on your way to creating a powerful and effective dashboard for your clients:

Step 1: Choose the right dashboard tool

First things first, you need to pick a dashboard tool that meets your agency's needs and integrates smoothly with the marketing platforms and data sources you work with. There are some popular options out there, like DashThis, AgencyAnalytics, HubSpot, and Adriel. Check them out and find the one that suits you best.

Step 2: Connect your data sources

Now, it's time to integrate your chosen dashboard tool with your clients' marketing platforms, such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Google Analytics, LinkedIn, and more. Make sure the tool can automatically sync data from these sources to provide real-time and accurate insights into campaign performance.

Step 3: Design the dashboard layout

Here's where it’s time to get those creative juices flowing. Create a visually appealing and user-friendly dashboard layout. Add widgets and charts that showcase your clients' most important KPIs and metrics. Group related data together, use headers to separate sections, and keep the design clean and easy to navigate.

Step 4: Customize templates and widgets

Save yourself some time and leverage pre-built templates and widgets for various marketing channels. Alternatively, you can create your own custom templates to cater to your clients' specific needs. Choose the most relevant KPIs and metrics, and arrange them in a logical and coherent manner.

Step 5: Set up automated reporting and alerts

Automation is the name of the game. Configure your dashboard to generate automated reports and alerts based on predetermined schedules or specific performance thresholds. This way, you'll always stay on top of your clients' campaign performance and make timely adjustments when needed.

Agency Dashboard Examples & Templates

To save time and maintain consistency across your agency dashboards, consider using pre-built templates tailored to specific marketing channels and objectives. If you sign up for one of the tools mentioned above, they offer free templates as a bonus for giving them a shot.

Here are some popular examples of agency dashboard reports:

Digital Marketing Report

Source: AgencyAnalytics

Keep track of your clients' progress across all digital marketing channels, including SEO, PPC, email, and social media. Monitor key performance metrics like website traffic, conversions, and engagement, and identify areas for improvement.

Social Media Report

Source: AgencyAnalytics

Gain insights into your clients' social media performance with a detailed template. Track engagement, reach, and growth across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Identify top-performing content, determine the best times to post, and refine your clients' social media strategies.

PPC Report

 

Source: AgencyAnalytics

Measure the Return on Investment (ROI) of your clients' paid advertising efforts with an in-depth PPC report template. Cover metrics like ad spend, impressions, clicks, and conversions. Optimize ad campaigns for maximum results and integrate PPC data with SEO insights to demonstrate the value of a holistic marketing approach.

Using Screenshots for Automation and Reporting

Let's talk about automation once again because it's a game-changer. With an agency dashboard, you can automate data collection and reporting, and screenshots can be a helpful tool for that. 

Here's how you can make the most of screenshots:

Automatically capture key landing pages: Set up your dashboard tool to automatically capture screenshots of your clients' important landing pages at regular intervals. This allows you to monitor changes or updates and gain valuable insights into their website performance.

Schedule periodic screenshots for SERP URLs: Keep an eye on your clients' SERP rankings and positions for specific keywords by scheduling periodic screenshots of relevant SERP URLs. This helps you track their progress and make data-driven decisions to improve their search visibility.

Compare client and competitor performance: Use screenshots to conduct a side-by-side comparison of your clients' and their competition’s performance. Analyze website design, content, and user experience. This information can reveal gaps and opportunities for improvement, driving better results for your clients.

Send a monthly zip of all screenshots to your client: Keep your clients informed and engaged by sending them a monthly zip file containing all the screenshots you've captured. This provides them with a visual and comprehensive overview of their campaign performance, website changes, and competitor activities, helping them stay updated on the latest developments and trends.

And you can do it all with ScreenshotAPI!

Check out Catallaxy, a blockchain consulting firm. They used ScreenshotAPI to capture screenshots of web pages and track their metrics in one central data HQ. As Hiroaki Ohishi says:

Before ScreenshotAPI, I was building the screenshot system on VPS by myself. After using ScreenshotAPI, I am sharing a metrics of our service with our teammates by Slack.

With ScreenshotAPI, you can automate the process of gathering screenshots from various platforms and incorporate them into your monitoring and reporting workflows. 

Space X Screenshot Example

Give ScreenshotAPI a try and see the magic for yourself!

Monitoring and Reporting on Competitors' Activities

You’ll also need to stay on top of your clients' competitors and their activities. By incorporating competitor tracking and analysis into your agency dashboard, you can provide valuable insights and recommendations to help your clients stay ahead. 

Here's what you can do:

Capture competitors' key landing pages and social media channels

Set up your dashboard tool to automatically capture screenshots of your clients' competitors' key landing pages and social media channels. This allows you to monitor their design, content, and marketing strategies, and identify areas where your clients can improve or differentiate themselves.

Perform a competitive analysis and provide reports

Conduct a detailed competitive analysis by comparing your clients' performance with their competitors. Focus on specific keywords, channels, and metrics. Use screenshots to illustrate your findings and present a clear, visual report to your clients, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

Keep track of SERPs and competitor rankings

Stay informed about your clients' competitors' SERP rankings and positions for target keywords by scheduling periodic screenshots. This helps you stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the competitive landscape, enabling you to make strategic recommendations for your clients' marketing efforts.

Best Practices for Creating an Agency Dashboard

To create an agency dashboard that truly shines, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

  • Focus on high-impact KPIs and metrics that align with your clients' business goals.
  • Group related data together and use headers to separate sections for a cohesive overview of campaign performance.
  • Keep the design clean, user-friendly, and easy to navigate, so your clients can quickly grasp the information.
  • Customize templates and widgets to suit each client's unique needs and priorities.
  • Set up automated reporting and alerts to stay on top of your clients' campaign performance without manual effort.
  • Leverage screenshots for automation, monitoring, and reporting purposes.
  • Communicate regularly with your clients, using the dashboard as a tool for collaboration and engagement.

With these tips as a reference, you’ll be well on your way to creating an effective dashboard that takes your agency to the next level.

Choosing the Right Dashboard Tool for Your Agency

With plenty of dashboard tools available, selecting the right one for your agency is crucial. Consider the following factors when evaluating dashboard tools:

  • Comprehensive, easy integrations with your marketing platforms and data sources.
  • Real-time data and customizable alerts to stay updated on campaign performance.
  • Key KPIs and granular data that provide valuable insights.
  • Multiple views for different stakeholders, ensuring everyone gets the information they need.
  • White labeling reports to maintain a professional and branded appearance.

Here are some of the tools we mentioned before:

DashThis

dashthis

DashThis is a powerful reporting and dashboard tool designed for agencies. It simplifies the process of creating impressive dashboards that showcase your marketing stats. With DashThis, you can easily track and consolidate data from various sources like Google Analytics and social media platforms into one place. The tool provides user-friendly templates and widgets to make your data visually appealing. You can schedule reports and collaborate with your team effortlessly. DashThis is a go-to solution for creating professional, eye-catching dashboards quickly!

AgencyAnalytics

agencyanalytics

AgencyAnalytics is a comprehensive all-in-one tool for marketing reporting and SEO. It allows agencies to track and measure various aspects of their marketing campaigns and SEO performance. With AgencyAnalytics, you can monitor Google Analytics, Google Ads, social media engagement, and more, all in a single platform. The tool offers automated reports and insightful analytics on keywords, backlinks, and competitors. It provides agencies with the data they need to impress clients and demonstrate their marketing expertise.

HubSpot

hubspot dashboards

HubSpot is a versatile marketing tool that covers marketing, sales, and customer service. You can create customized dashboards and reports to track marketing efforts and campaign performance. HubSpot integrates with various marketing tools, allowing you to gather data from different sources and gain a comprehensive view of your marketing performance. 

Adriel

adriel dashboards

Adriel is an advertising management platform that simplifies and optimizes online ad campaigns. While it doesn't have a dedicated dashboard creation feature, Adriel offers impressive reporting and analytics capabilities. You can track the performance of your ads on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. Adriel provides detailed insights into conversions, budgets, and audience targeting. With AI-driven suggestions for campaign optimization, Adriel helps agencies improve their ad campaign results and enhance their advertising efforts.

Wrapping Up

Congratulations! You now have the knowledge to create an agency dashboard that streamlines your workflow, enhances your service offerings, and keeps you ahead of the competition. 

By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to build a dashboard that saves time and resources while adding significant value to your clients' brand and success.

Don’t forget to try out ScreenshotAPI so you can supercharge your agency dashboard by including timely screenshots within your reports. Sign up for your free trial today and get your first 100 screenshots on us!