If you’re working with a B2B team and tired of digging through spreadsheets, you’ve probably wondered if you could just set up a dashboard that actually shows what matters. This guide is for you. I’ll show you, step by step, how to create a custom dashboard in Workwithpod that doesn’t waste your time—or your team’s.
No fluff, no buzzwords—just what works, what to avoid, and where to focus if you want a dashboard that’s genuinely useful.
1. Figure Out What You Really Need to Track
Before you even open Workwithpod, spend 10 minutes (seriously, set a timer) with your team or just a notebook. The worst dashboards are built by dumping in every possible metric. The best ones answer a handful of key questions.
Ask yourself: - What are the 2-4 things our team absolutely needs to know to make decisions? - Who’s going to use this dashboard, and how often? - Are you tracking for sales, support, onboarding, or something else?
Pro tip: If you can’t explain why a metric matters, don’t put it on your dashboard. Less noise = faster decisions.
2. Log In and Navigate to Dashboards
Assuming you already have a Workwithpod account with the right permissions: - Log in. - Find “Dashboards” in the main menu (usually left sidebar). - Click “Create Dashboard.”
If you’re not seeing this option, you might not have access. Check with your admin before you bang your head against the wall.
3. Pick a Template or Start from Scratch
Workwithpod offers a few dashboard templates. Sometimes these are helpful—sometimes they’re just generic layouts you’ll end up deleting. Here’s the honest take:
- Templates: Good for basic use cases (e.g., sales pipeline, project tracking). Saves a few clicks, but you’ll probably want to tweak most things.
- Blank Dashboard: For full control or if your needs are weird (no shame, most B2B teams are unique). You’ll start from zero, but it’s cleaner.
If in doubt, start blank. It’s faster to add only what you need than to clean up a cluttered template.
4. Add Your First Widget
Widgets are the building blocks of your dashboard—think charts, tables, counters, and lists. Here’s how to add one:
- Click “Add Widget” (usually a big button, hard to miss).
- Choose your widget type:
- Chart: For trends over time
- Table: For lists of deals, tickets, etc.
- Counter: For at-a-glance numbers (e.g., “Open Deals”)
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Kanban/List: For workflows or pipelines
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Pick the data source. This could be your CRM, support tool, or whatever you’ve connected to Workwithpod.
Reality check: Don’t add five widgets at once. Start with one or two. Make sure the data’s right and updates as expected.
5. Connect Your Data
If you haven’t connected your team’s data sources yet, now’s the time. In Workwithpod, integrations are usually point-and-click, but here’s what to watch for:
- Supported integrations: Check if Workwithpod connects natively to your tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, etc.). If not, you may need to use a CSV import or Zapier-style workaround.
- Permissions: Make sure your integration user has enough access. Read-only usually works, but double-check.
- Data freshness: Some integrations sync instantly; others are delayed. If “real-time” is critical, test it before rolling out.
Pro tip: Don’t connect everything at once. Start with your main tool (the one your team checks daily). Add others as needed.
6. Configure Widget Settings
Here’s where most dashboards go off the rails—people cram in every filter and option “just in case.” Don’t do that.
For each widget: - Label it clearly (e.g., “Open Deals by Owner” not “Widget 7”) - Set basic filters (like “This Quarter” or “Status: Open”) - Pick a simple visualization (bar chart beats pie chart 99% of the time) - Limit the data to what’s actionable (no need to show 10 years of history unless you’re running a museum)
Pro tip: If you can’t read a widget and immediately know what to do next, simplify it.
7. Arrange & Resize Widgets
Drag and drop to move widgets around. The top left gets the most eyeballs, so put your most important numbers there.
What works: - “Big number” widgets up top (e.g., team quota progress) - Trends or charts in the middle - Lists/tables at the bottom or in a sidebar
What to ignore: - Making everything perfectly symmetrical (nobody cares) - Filling every empty space (blank space is fine) - Fancy backgrounds or color coding everything (less is more)
8. Share Your Dashboard (But Not with Everyone)
You can invite teammates to view, edit, or just comment on your dashboard. Here’s how:
- Click “Share” (usually top right)
- Pick users or groups
- Set permissions (view, edit, comment)
Hard truth: Don’t overshare. Most people don’t need to see everything. Too many eyeballs means more opinions and—let’s be honest—more confusion. Share with the people who’ll actually use it.
9. Set Up Alerts or Scheduled Reports (Optional)
Workwithpod lets you set up alerts or email digests when numbers hit certain thresholds (like “Deals dropped below 5” or “Tickets over 20”). This can be handy, but it’s easy to overdo.
- Use alerts for things that truly need immediate action.
- Set up scheduled reports for the team if you want a weekly or daily summary—but ask if people actually read them.
Pro tip: Don’t create alerts for vanity metrics (like page views, unless your job depends on them).
10. Iterate—Don’t Set It and Forget It
The best dashboards evolve. After a week or two, ask your team:
- What’s missing?
- What’s confusing?
- What can we remove?
Don’t be precious—kill widgets that aren’t useful. Add new ones as your team’s needs change. The point is to make decisions easier, not to build a dashboard museum.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
- Trying to impress, not inform: Nobody cares how fancy your dashboard looks if it’s not actionable.
- Too many metrics: If everything’s important, nothing is.
- Neglecting data quality: Garbage in, garbage out. Fix your sources before blaming the dashboard.
- Ignoring end users: Build for the people using it—not the boss, not the vendor, not you.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Useful
There’s no prize for the most elaborate dashboard. Start small. Focus on what helps your team move faster and smarter. Review and tweak often. If you’re not sure whether to add something, don’t. You can always adjust as you go.
Your future self—and your team—will thank you.