By the VIXI team · Reviewed
The short answer
Start with Looker Studio if most of your data is in Google products and a shared report is enough. Build a custom dashboard when you pull from many tools, need per-user logins or client portals, run your own business logic, or need numbers that reproduce your attribution system exactly. Keep any dashboard to the handful of metrics people actually act on.
Choosing between them
| Need | Looker Studio | Custom dashboard |
|---|---|---|
| Google Ads, GA4, Sheets | Strong, free | Possible, more work |
| CRM, payments, call data together | Often needs paid connectors | Built around your sources |
| Logins, roles, client portals | Limited | Yes |
| Custom calculations and workflows | Basic | Any logic you define |
Reproducing an attribution tool
A dashboard only matches the source when it uses the same definitions: date range, time zone, attribution window and how refunds are treated. We document those rules so the numbers can be checked.
Fewer metrics, more use
Reports with dozens of metrics are rarely read. A one-page view of cost per lead, lead volume, conversion rate, revenue and trend answers the question most owners ask: is it working?
Frequently asked questions
How long does a custom dashboard take to build?
It depends on the data sources and screens. We scope it after reviewing your data, and a focused first version usually comes before the full build.
Can you add a dashboard to our existing app?
Yes. We review the app and its data first, then scope the screens and integrations.
Keep reading
Custom Platforms & Dashboards
Want the numbers for your situation?
Tell us what you want to solve. We review your tools and propose a scope with clear costs before building anything.
Scope my project