Ads reporting18 October 20262 min read
The short answer
Build one report template, connect each client's data to it and let it update itself. Automation takes care of the numbers. You add the explanation.
What the manual process costs
Exporting data, pasting it into slides, fixing the charts and writing the summary can take hours per client. Multiply by the number of clients and the report becomes a full-time job that adds little value.
The automated version, step by step
- Agree the KPIs once. Decide with each client which numbers matter and how they are worked out.
- Build one template. One layout, the same pages and the same charts for every client.
- Connect each client's data. Ad platforms, analytics, store or CRM data connect to the template through the client's own accounts.
- Brand it. Add the client's or your logo and colours so the report looks like yours.
- Share it live. Give the client a link to a dashboard that is always up to date, instead of a file that is out of date on arrival.
- Schedule delivery. Looker Studio can email a report on a regular schedule, so the monthly update goes out on the same day every month.
Keep the human part
Clients do not pay for charts. They pay for understanding. Add a short summary to every report with three points: what happened, why it happened and what you will do next. Automation frees the hours to write this well.
A checklist
- Each client has their own data connection and their own access.
- Campaign names follow one convention, so reports group cleanly.
- Every report shows the previous period for comparison.
- The summary is written by a person, not generated.
- Someone checks the numbers once a month, in case a connection broke.
We build client reporting that agencies can reuse. Tell us how many clients you report on and we will suggest a set-up.