Google’s Data Studio is a Web-based tool for presenting data. It’s one of the company’s most unique and powerful tools but only if you know how to use it.
There are several things to like about the tool (being free is a big selling point) including reliability, regular useful updates and some strong customization controls, but it does have a ways to go in terms of ease of use.
The system’s ability to integrate with most important Google products (a list is below) makes the solution very appealing to data junkies the world over.
Data Studio Integrations
Google Analytics and Google Ads integrations are likely the most utilized integrations for Data Studio by a majority of users, but the platform offers many others including Google Search Console (which I’ve found quite useful when it comes to presenting search engine optimization performance data to clients who are interested in things like impressions, average position, etc.).
Get Started With Data Studio
Perhaps the simplest way to get started with Data Studio is to block off a few hours and spend some time working with it. You’ll need to connect accounts and such, but once that’s complete, the real fun begins. Based on experience, I think the easiest way to get started is to simply use one of the templates. There aren’t very many and they pretty much all function the same, but there’s not easier way to get up and running.
Google provides several tutorial videos for those interested in learning the nuances of the Data Studio platform and they are worth a look as there is really a lack of detailed guidance about how to use it – probably because it is so customizable that there is not one single way (it’s all up to you!)