If you’re looking to build a dashboard that actually helps you (instead of just looking impressive in a meeting), you’re in the right place. This walkthrough is for anyone who’s new to Convrt or tired of dashboards that are more fluff than function. Whether you’re a marketer, analyst, or just someone forced into a “dashboard project,” you’ll get direct, no-nonsense instructions for making your own—plus a few honest warnings about what to skip.
Step 1: Get Your Data in Order (Seriously)
Before you even log in to Convrt, figure out what you want to see on your dashboard. This sounds obvious, but here’s where most people mess up. Dashboards are only as good as the data behind them.
Do this first: - List the key questions you want your dashboard to answer. (e.g., “How many leads did we get last week?”) - Identify where that data lives. Is it in a Google Sheet, a CRM, or buried in someone’s inbox? - Check if your data is clean. If it’s full of duplicates, weird date formats, or missing info, fix that now—it’ll save you headaches later.
Pro tip:
Don’t try to track everything at once. Start with 3-5 metrics that actually matter. Dashboards with 20+ widgets are where insight goes to die.
Step 2: Connect Your Data Sources in Convrt
Once you know what data you need, it’s time to bring that into Convrt.
How to connect: 1. Log in to Convrt. 2. From the main dashboard, hit the “Data Sources” tab. 3. Choose the data source you want to connect (API, CSV upload, Google Sheets, whatever Convrt supports). 4. Follow the prompts. Usually, this means pasting an API key, connecting your account, or uploading a file. 5. Test the connection. If Convrt says “data imported successfully,” you’re good. If not, fix your data (see step 1).
What works:
Convrt makes it pretty straightforward for common sources like Google Sheets or CSVs. APIs can be trickier—if you’re not a developer, ask for help.
What to ignore:
Don’t get sucked into connecting every possible data source “just because.” Stick to the ones you’ll actually use.
Step 3: Set Up Your First Dashboard
Now for the fun part: actually building your custom dashboard.
3.1 Create a New Dashboard
- Click the “Dashboards” tab.
- Hit “Create New Dashboard.”
- Give it a practical name—skip the buzzwords. (“Q2 Sales Overview” beats “Synergistic Metrics Matrix.”)
3.2 Choose a Layout
Convrt offers a few default layouts (grid, single column, etc.). If you’re not sure, start with a simple grid.
- Drag and drop panels where you want them.
- Don’t cram everything into one screen; leave some white space. It’s not a PowerPoint slide.
3.3 Add Widgets
Widgets are where the data magic happens. Pick from charts, tables, number cards, or whatever Convrt calls them.
- For each widget, choose the data source and metric (e.g., “Leads by Source” from your CRM).
- Set filters as needed: date range, region, salesperson, etc.
What works:
Line/bar charts for trends, tables for details, number cards for quick hits. If your data is tiny, skip the pie chart.
What to ignore:
Don’t use a fancy chart type just because it’s there. If you can’t explain it in a sentence, pick something simpler.
Step 4: Customize for Clarity (Not Just Looks)
A lot of dashboard guides go on about “visual storytelling.” Let’s keep it simple: your dashboard should be easy to read at a glance.
Tips for clarity: - Add short, clear titles to every widget (“Leads This Month” beats “Monthly Aggregated Lead Acquisition”). - Use consistent colors for the same metrics across widgets. - Hide or delete anything you’re not using. Less is more. - Add basic explanations or hover-text for any “weird” metrics.
Pro tip:
Ask someone who wasn’t involved in building the dashboard to look at it. If they can’t tell what’s going on in 30 seconds, simplify it.
Step 5: Set Up Filters and Controls
Filters let you and your team slice data without making a dozen dashboards for every scenario.
How to add filters: - In dashboard edit mode, find the “Add Filter” or “Controls” option. - Common filters: date range, team, campaign, region. - Attach filters to relevant widgets. Test that they actually work—sometimes not all widgets update as expected.
What works:
Global filters (ones that affect the whole dashboard) save a ton of time.
What to ignore:
Don’t add a filter for every field in your data. Too many choices just confuse people.
Step 6: Share and Set Permissions
Now that your dashboard works for you, make sure it works for everyone else.
- Use Convrt’s “Share” or “Export” feature to send a link or static snapshot.
- Set permissions: can viewers edit, or just read-only? If you’re nervous about people breaking things, go read-only.
- If your team needs regular updates, set up scheduled email reports (if Convrt supports this).
Heads up:
If your dashboard is for execs, less is more. They want the highlights, not the raw data dump.
Step 7: Iterate (and Don’t Be Precious)
The first version of your dashboard won’t be perfect. That’s normal. Here’s how to keep it useful:
- Ask your team what’s missing or confusing.
- Update or remove widgets that aren’t getting used.
- Review automated reports every few weeks to catch errors or stale data.
- Don’t be afraid to delete stuff. A cluttered dashboard is worse than none at all.
Pro tip:
Document any weird formulas or custom metrics somewhere—future you (or your replacement) will thank you.
Honest Take: What Convrt Dashboards Do Well (and Where to Watch Out)
The Good:
- Pretty quick to set up if your data’s ready.
- Drag-and-drop interface isn’t just for show—it actually saves time.
- Good for teams who need simple, visual tracking.
The Not-So-Great:
- If your data is messy or changes format a lot, expect hiccups.
- Advanced calculations or custom visuals can be tricky—Convrt isn’t Tableau or Power BI.
- Real-time updates depend on your data source and plan. Check the docs before promising “live dashboards.”
Bottom line:
Convrt is solid for most business dashboards, but don’t expect magic. Garbage in, garbage out.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Useful
Don’t stress about making the perfect dashboard. Start small, show it to real users, and adjust. The best dashboards are the ones people actually use—not the ones with the most features. Focus on clarity, keep iterating, and you’ll end up with something that’s genuinely useful. Good luck!