It’s easy to drown in data. If you’re a B2B team using Proof, you probably want quick answers, not another wall of charts nobody looks at. This guide is for folks who want dashboards that actually help them do their jobs—not just impress the boss with colorful graphs.
Below, you’ll learn how to build and manage dashboards in Proof that surface the right info for your team, skip the fluff, and stay useful over time. No jargon, no hype, just practical steps.
Why bother with custom dashboards?
Let’s be honest: Most “out-of-the-box” dashboards are either too generic or stuffed with vanity metrics. Custom dashboards let you:
- Focus on the numbers your team actually cares about
- Cut out noise so you can spot problems and wins faster
- Adapt quickly as your goals change
But don’t get carried away. Too many widgets and nobody knows what matters. The sweet spot is somewhere between “one giant chart” and “50 tiny dials nobody checks.”
Step 1: Decide what actually matters to your team
Before you even log in, figure out what your team needs to see, and why. If you skip this, you’ll end up with a dashboard nobody uses.
Ask yourself: - What decisions do we make regularly? - Which metrics are “must-haves” vs. “nice to have”? - Who’s actually using this dashboard (sales, marketing, ops, execs)?
Pro tip: If you can’t remember the last time someone cared about a metric, leave it out. You can always add it later.
Step 2: Get familiar with Proof’s dashboard basics
Proof’s dashboard tool is built for B2B teams, but it’s not magic. Here’s what you can (and can’t) do:
What works: - Drag-and-drop layout: Move widgets around easily. - Multiple dashboards: Set up one for each team or workflow. - Filters and date ranges: Zoom in on what you need.
Limitations: - You’re limited to the data Proof collects. If it’s not in Proof, you’ll need a workaround. - Visualization choices are decent, but you won’t find every chart type under the sun.
Take a few minutes to poke around. Create a “test” dashboard so you can experiment without messing up the real thing.
Step 3: Create a new custom dashboard
Ready to build? Here’s how:
- Go to the Dashboards section.
- Usually in the main nav. If you can’t find it, search for “Dashboards” in the app menu.
- Click “Create Dashboard.”
- Give it a name your team will recognize. (“Sales Q2,” not “Dashboard 2”)
- Set permissions.
- Decide who can view or edit. Don’t give everyone edit rights unless you like surprises.
Pro tip: Keep your dashboard focused. One dashboard per team or workflow is usually enough. You can always add more if you need them.
Step 4: Add and arrange widgets
Widgets are the building blocks—charts, tables, KPIs, and so on.
Adding widgets: - Click “Add Widget” or “+”. Pick the data source (leads, deals, activities, etc.). - Choose the visualization type (bar, line, table, etc.). - Set any filters—like date range, sales rep, or region.
Arranging widgets: - Drag to reorder. Put the most important stuff up top. - Resize so you’re not squinting at tiny charts.
What to avoid: - Don’t add every metric just because it’s there. More isn’t better. - Avoid redundant charts (do you need three graphs showing the same revenue number?).
Pro tip: Less is more. If a widget doesn’t answer a real question, cut it.
Step 5: Set up filters and drill-downs
Filters help your team slice the data without making a new dashboard every time.
- Global filters: Let users adjust date ranges, territories, or teams across all widgets.
- Widget-level filters: Narrow down specific widgets, like “Show only active deals.”
If you want to dig deeper, set up drill-downs: - Click on a chart segment to see the underlying data (e.g., click a sales region to see the deals inside). - Not every widget supports drill-downs, so check before you promise anyone “one-click insights.”
Pro tip: Don’t overcomplicate filtering. If users keep asking for the same slice, just make a new dashboard view.
Step 6: Share and schedule dashboards
Once your dashboard is set up, get it in front of the right people.
- Share links: Send direct links to team members. Set permissions so only the right folks can see or edit.
- Email scheduling: Set up automated email reports (daily, weekly, etc.). This is handy for execs who “don’t have time to log in.”
- Embed options: Some plans let you embed dashboards in other tools—great for team wikis or Slack channels.
What works: Scheduled email summaries are a lifesaver. They keep people updated without another login.
What to ignore: Real-time updates sound cool, but most B2B teams don’t need minute-by-minute data. Daily or weekly is usually enough.
Step 7: Maintain and improve your dashboards
Dashboards are not “set it and forget it.” Here’s how to keep yours useful:
- Review usage: Check who’s actually looking at the dashboard. If nobody is, find out why.
- Get feedback: Ask your team what’s missing or confusing.
- Update regularly: As your goals change, tweak the dashboard. Don’t let it get stale.
Pro tip: Schedule a quick dashboard review every quarter. Five minutes can save you months of staring at the wrong numbers.
What to skip (unless you really need it)
- Overly complex formulas: Proof can do some calculations, but if you’re spending hours building Frankenstein metrics, you’re better off in Excel.
- Too many dashboards: More isn’t better. Stick to what people actually use.
- Eye-candy widgets: If it looks cool but doesn’t help you decide or act, ditch it.
Real talk: what works, what doesn’t
Works: - Focused dashboards for each team or workflow - Regular reviews and updates - Simple, actionable widgets
Doesn’t work: - Dashboards built for “leadership optics” and not real work - Ignoring feedback from actual users - Chasing every new chart type
Keep it simple, and iterate
Custom dashboards in Proof can be a real asset for B2B teams—if you keep things simple and focused. Don’t try to build the “ultimate dashboard” on day one. Start with what matters, get feedback, and tweak as you go. The best dashboards are the ones your team actually uses.
If you find yourself spending more time building dashboards than acting on them, it’s probably time to trim the fat. Keep it lean, keep it useful, and don’t be afraid to delete what’s not working.
Happy dashboarding.