Create a Google Analytics Website Report in Data Studio

Watch the step-by-step walkthrough below, then follow along with the guide to connect GA4 and build a complete automated website performance dashboard in Looker Studio.

Follow the Steps Book Coaching
Step by Step

Create a Google Analytics Website Report in Data Studio

Follow these steps alongside the video to build your GA4 website dashboard.

1

Open Looker Studio and create a new blank report

  • Go to lookerstudio.google.com and click Blank Report
  • Name the report (e.g. "Website Performance — GA4")
2

Add Google Analytics as a data source

  • When prompted, search for and select the Google Analytics connector
  • Authorise access, then choose your GA4 Account, Property, and click Add
3

Add Scorecard widgets for key website metrics

  • Insert Scorecards for Sessions, Active Users, Engagement Rate, and Average Session Duration
  • Use the SET-UP panel to assign the correct GA4 metric to each Scorecard
4

Add a Time Series chart for traffic trends

  • Insert a Time Series chart and set the Date dimension to Date
  • Add Sessions and Active Users as metrics to visualise traffic over time
5

Add a Table for top pages and traffic channels

  • Insert a Table with dimension set to Page Path to show your most visited pages
  • Add a second Table with dimension set to Session Default Channel Group to show traffic by channel (Organic, Paid, Direct, etc.)
  • Add Sessions, Users, and Engagement Rate as columns in both tables
6

Add a Geo Map for traffic by country

  • Insert a Geo Map chart and set the dimension to Country
  • Set the metric to Sessions to show where your visitors are coming from
7

Add a Date Range Control and finalise the layout

  • Insert a Date Range Control so viewers can adjust the reporting period interactively
  • Tidy up spacing and alignment, add a report title, and switch to View mode to review the finished dashboard

Need 1-on-1 help with Looker Studio?

Book a 90-minute coaching session and we'll build your GA4 website dashboard together!

Book a Coaching Session
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about building a Google Analytics report in Looker Studio.

Does the Google Analytics connector in Looker Studio support GA4?

Yes. Looker Studio's native Google Analytics connector supports GA4 (Google Analytics 4) properties. When selecting your data source, choose your GA4 Account and Property — the connector will expose all GA4 dimensions and metrics including events, engagement rate, and session data.

Why do some GA4 metrics look different from what I see in the GA4 interface?

GA4 uses sampled data for large datasets, and Looker Studio may apply different sampling thresholds. Additionally, some GA4 metrics are calculated differently in the Looker Studio connector compared to the GA4 UI. Minor discrepancies (within 1–5%) are normal — for exact figures, always cross-reference with the GA4 interface directly.

Can I add multiple GA4 properties to the same Looker Studio report?

Yes. You can add multiple GA4 data sources to a single report — one per property. To compare properties side by side, add separate charts connected to different data sources, or use Blend Data to merge them into a single chart. This is useful for multi-site or multi-brand reporting.

How do I show traffic by channel in Looker Studio?

Add a Table or Bar Chart and set the dimension to Session Default Channel Group. This breaks down traffic into channels like Organic Search, Paid Search, Direct, Referral, Social, and Email — matching the channel grouping you see in the GA4 Traffic Acquisition report.

Can I schedule automatic email delivery of my Looker Studio report?

Yes. In Looker Studio, go to Share > Schedule email delivery. You can set a frequency (daily, weekly, monthly), choose recipients, and select which pages of the report to send. Recipients receive a PDF snapshot of the report on the schedule you define — no Looker Studio account required to view the email.

How do I filter the report to show data for a specific page or section of the site?

Use a Filter Control widget — insert it via the Add a control menu and set it to the Page Path dimension. Viewers can then type or select specific paths to filter the entire report. Alternatively, apply a Report-level filter via Resource > Manage Report Filters to permanently restrict data to a specific section of the site.

Keep Learning

Related Data Studio Tutorials

More step-by-step guides to get more from your Looker Studio dashboards.

Get Personal Help

Book a 1-on-1 Coaching Session

Need a hands-on walkthrough tailored to your account? Book a 90-minute coaching session and we'll set it up together.