# Understand your Analytics

Understanding how to navigate your Analytics dashboards and interpret your metrics is essential for making data-driven decisions. This guide will walk you through the complete analytics experience, from basic navigation to understanding what each metric tells you about your business performance.

### Accessing Analytics Dashboards

#### Opening the Analytics Section

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Navigate to Analytics**

In your main navigation, click on **Discover** → **Analytics** to access your analytics dashboards.
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{% step %}
**View Available Dashboards**

You'll see a list of all available dashboards. Each dashboard serves different analytical purposes and contains relevant widgets for specific business areas.
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**Select a Dashboard**

Click on any dashboard name to open it and start exploring your data.
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{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't see any dashboards, they may need to be created first. Refer to our "Create Your First Dashboard" guide.
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### Understanding the Dashboard Interface

#### Dashboard Layout Overview

Analytics dashboards are organized into a clean, intuitive interface designed for data exploration:

**Header Section**

* Dashboard title and description
* Time range selector for filtering data
* Export and sharing options
* Filter controls that apply to all widgets

**Main Content Area**

* Individual widgets arranged in a grid layout
* Each widget displays specific metrics or data views
* Widgets can be different sizes based on their content type

**Navigation Elements**

* Back navigation to return to dashboard overview
* Category-based dashboard organization with collapsible sections
* Direct dashboard access via dashboard table rows

#### Dashboard Controls

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Time Range Selector" %}
**Purpose**: Filter all dashboard data by date range

**How to Use**:

* Click the time range selector (usually shows "Last 30 days" or similar)
* Choose from preset ranges like "Last 7 days", "Last month", "Last quarter"
* Or select custom date ranges for specific analysis periods

**Impact**: Changes the time period for ALL widgets on the dashboard
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Global Filters" %}
**Purpose**: Apply filters that affect all widgets simultaneously

**Common Filters**:

* Product categories
* Geographic regions
* User segments
* Traffic sources

**How to Use**: Click on filter dropdowns and select values. Multiple filters can be applied at once.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Data Updates" %}
**Purpose**: Dashboard data updates automatically when filters change

**How It Works**:

* Data refreshes automatically when date range changes
* Widget data resets when filters are applied
* No manual refresh button - updates are triggered by user actions
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

### Metrics

Analytics dashboards track key metrics based on data collected through your Crobox implementation. The depth and accuracy of these metrics depend on which Crobox experiences you have installed and how they're configured on your site.

#### How Metrics Are Generated

Your analytics data comes from:

* **JavaScript tracking** installed on your site pages
* **Experience interactions** from Product Finder, Campaigns, and other Crobox tools
* **E-commerce events** captured through your implementation
* **Cross-session tracking** that follows customer journeys over time

{% hint style="warning" %}
Missing expected metrics? Check that your Crobox implementation covers all relevant pages and events. Contact your technical team or Crobox support if you need help expanding your tracking coverage.
{% endhint %}

#### Core Site Metrics

| Metric        | Definition                                                                                      | Use Case                                              |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Actions**   | Total interactions customers make on your site - clicks, adds to cart, custom actions, and more | *Monitor overall site engagement and activity levels* |
| **Pageviews** | How many pages visitors view during their time on your site                                     | *Track content consumption and popular pages*         |
| **Sessions**  | Individual visits to your site, from arrival to departure                                       | *Understand traffic volume and visitor patterns*      |
| **Users**     | Unique individuals visiting your site (removing duplicate visits)                               | *Measure your actual audience size and reach*         |

#### Performance Metrics

| Metric                  | Definition                                  | Use Case                                                            |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Revenue**             | Total money earned from completed purchases | *Track financial performance and business growth*                   |
| **Transactions**        | Number of completed purchases on your site  | *Monitor sales volume and conversion success*                       |
| **Conversion Rate**     | Percentage of visitors who make a purchase  | *Measure how effectively your site turns visitors into customers*   |
| **Average Order Value** | Average amount customers spend per purchase | *Understand spending patterns and identify upselling opportunities* |

#### Cross-Session Performance Metrics

| Metric                              | Definition                                                                             | Use Case                                                                                         |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Revenue (cross-session)**         | Total money earned from customers within 30 days of their initial interaction          | *Understand the full revenue impact of customer discovery journeys, including delayed purchases* |
| **Transactions (cross-session)**    | Number of purchases completed by customers within 30 days of their initial interaction | *Measure true conversion impact beyond single-session purchases*                                 |
| **Conversion Rate (cross-session)** | Percentage of initial visitors who make a purchase within 30 days of first interaction | *Evaluate the long-term effectiveness of customer acquisition and engagement*                    |

{% hint style="success" %}
**Cross-session metrics** provide a more complete picture of customer behavior by tracking the full customer journey, not just immediate conversions. These metrics are especially valuable for understanding the impact of discovery experiences on customers who need time to research before purchasing.
{% endhint %}

#### Engagement Metrics

| Metric                 | Definition                                                    | Use Case                                               |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Product Clicks**     | Number of product clicks by visitors                          | *Identify which products generate the most interest*   |
| **Product Carts**      | Number of products added to shopping carts                    | *Track purchase intent and product appeal*             |
| **Product Boughts**    | Products that customers actually purchased                    | *See which products convert from interest to sales*    |
| **Add-to-Cart Rate**   | Percentage of sessions where visitors add items to their cart | *Measure how well products appeal to shoppers*         |
| **Click-through Rate** | How often products generates clicks from visitors             | *Measure content impressions and click event tracking* |
| **Buy-to-Detail Rate** | Percentage of product page visits that result in purchases    | *Identify your most effective product pages*           |

#### Product Finder Specific Metrics

| Metric                                  | Definition                                                      | Use Case                                                        |
| --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Finder Completion Rate**              | Percentage of customers who complete your Product Finder        | *Measure how engaging and useful your guided selling tools are* |
| **Product Finder Products Bought**      | Items purchased directly through Product Finder recommendations | *Track the sales impact of your guided selling experiences*     |
| **Product Finder Products Recommended** | Products suggested by your Product Finder experience            | *Monitor recommendation volume and system performance*          |

#### Recommender Specific Metrics

| Metric                   | Definition                                                                | Use Case                                                                        |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Recommenders Shown**   | Number of times your Product Recommender experience is displayed to users | *Track recommendation reach and impression volume across your site*             |
| **Recommenders Clicked** | Number of times customers click on recommended products                   | *Measure engagement with your recommendations and identify product suggestions* |

{% hint style="info" %}
Recommender specific metrics apply only to Recommender experiences active on your site.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Recommender specific metrics should be used with the group bys: **Action** **Recommender ID** and **Action Product ID,** for accurate results. Contact Support for best practice recommender template dashboards.
{% endhint %}

#### Analyzing Recommender Data

Recommender analytics support multiple grouping dimensions to help you understand performance from different angles:

* Group by **Action** **Recommender ID:** Evaluate individual Recommender campaigns independently
* Group by **Action Product ID:** Evaluate individual products recommended within a Recommender
* Group by ***additional dimensions***
  * Segment data by other product or context attributes available in your implementation (e.g; Product Title, Region Country). This helps organize and filter your data to focus on specific subsets of your Products and Recommender performance.
  * Multiple grouping levels combine grouping dimensions for deeper analysis. For example, group by both Recommender ID and Product to see which products are recommended by each campaign, then add another dimension to slice the data further.
* Connecting Recommender Analytics to commercial performance: For deeper insights, cross-reference Recommender metrics with your site's core metrics

### Widget Types

#### Understanding Different Widget Types

Analytics dashboards contain these verified widget types:

{% stepper %}
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**Big Number Widgets**

* Show single metrics with comparison options
* Can compare against previous time periods or other filters
* Display-only functionality with no drill-down capability
* Perfect for monitoring key performance indicators at a glance
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{% step %}
**Line Chart Widgets**

* Show time-based trends with configurable intervals (6 hours to monthly)
* Single metric visualization over time
* Horizontal time axis for trend analysis
* Ideal for identifying patterns and seasonal variations
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{% step %}
**Bar Chart Widgets**

* Compare values across different categories
* Support group-by functionality for segmentation
* Stacked and unstacked display options
* Vertical axis shows metric values
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{% step %}
**Table Widgets**

* Display up to 6 metric columns with group-by capabilities
* CSV export functionality available
* Data rendered as provided (no built-in sorting or search)
* Best for detailed data examination
  {% endstep %}

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**Pie Chart Widgets**

* Show proportional data with group-by support
* Single metric visualization
* Effective for understanding composition and distribution
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**Additional Widget Types**

* **Radar Chart:** Single metric with group-by comparison
* **Bubble Chart:** Three-metric visualization for complex analysis
* **Comment Box:** Markdown text areas for context and notes
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#### Widget Interaction

All widgets display data based on current dashboard filters and time ranges. Hover over data points to see detailed values and context.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Edit Mode Interactions" %}
**What Happens**: Hover over widgets to reveal edit controls (if you have edit permissions)

**Available Actions**:

* **Edit**: Modify widget configuration via side panel
* **Duplicate**: Create a copy of the widget
* **Copy**: Copy widget to clipboard for pasting elsewhere
* **Remove**: Delete the widget from dashboard
* **Drag Handle**: Reposition widgets using the drag indicator

**Visual Cues**: Edit bar appears on hover with primary color outline
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Widget Management" %}
**What Happens**: Widgets can be repositioned and resized when in edit mode

**Drag & Drop**:

* Use drag handles to move widgets around the grid
* Resize widgets by dragging corner handles
* Layout changes are automatically saved

**Grid System**: Widgets snap to a responsive grid layout with defined sizes per widget type
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Data Display Only" %}
**Important Note**: Widgets are primarily for data display

**No Interactive Filtering**:

* Charts do not support click-to-filter functionality
* No legend interaction for showing/hiding data series
* No drill-down capabilities within widgets

**Data Updates**: Widgets update automatically when dashboard-level filters change
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Reading Widget Data Effectively

#### Understanding Visual Cues

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Color Coding" %}
**Performance Indicators**:

* **Green:** Positive performance, growth, or favorable trends
* **Red:** Negative performance, decline, or areas needing attention
* **Blue/Neutral:** Baseline data or informational metrics
* **Consistent Colors:** Same metrics use consistent colors across widgets

**Performance Indicators**\
Look for trend arrows, percentage changes, and comparison indicators that help you quickly assess performance against benchmarks or previous periods.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Trends and Patterns" %}
**Line Charts**:

* Upward slopes = growth or increase
* Downward slopes = decline or decrease
* Flat lines = stable performance
* Sharp changes = significant events or anomalies

**Bar Charts**:

* Height/length indicates relative values
* Grouping shows related categories
* Sorting reveals rankings and priorities
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Context Indicators" %}
**Comparison Elements**:

* Previous period comparisons (vs. last month)
* Year-over-year changes
* Benchmark or target lines
* Industry averages (if available)

**Data Quality Indicators**:

* Confidence intervals
* Sample sizes
* Data freshness timestamps
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

### Troubleshooting

#### Common Issues and Solutions

<details>

<summary>Dashboard not loading or showing "No data"</summary>

* Check your time range settings - you may be looking at a period with no activity
* Verify that your implementation is active and tracking events
* Confirm you have the necessary permissions to view the dashboard

</details>

<details>

<summary>Widgets showing different date ranges</summary>

* Ensure all widgets are using the same time range and filters
* Check if widgets are pulling from different data sources or attribution models
* Look for widgets that might be using cross-session vs. single-session data

</details>

<details>

<summary>Edit controls not appearing on widget hover</summary>

**Possible Causes**:

* No edit permissions for the dashboard

**Solutions**:

* Check if you have update permissions
* Contact administrator for permission changes

</details>

<details>

<summary>Navigation is slow or unresponsive</summary>

**Possible Causes**:

* Large datasets being processed
* Network connectivity issues
* High system load

**Solutions**:

* Try smaller time ranges or more specific filters
* Check internet connection
* Wait for peak usage times to pass

</details>

<details>

<summary>Missing expected metrics</summary>

* Verify that relevant Crobox experiences are implemented and active
* Check that tracking is properly configured for the events you want to measure from your technical implementation
* Contact your technical team if implementation gaps are identified

</details>

### Best Practices

#### Efficient Navigation Strategies

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{% step %}
**Start Broad, Then Focus**

Begin with overview dashboards to understand the big picture, then navigate to specific areas that need attention.
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**Use Consistent Time Ranges**

When comparing data across multiple dashboards, ensure you're using the same time ranges for accurate comparisons.
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**Leverage Filters Strategically**

Apply filters to focus on specific segments, but remember to clear them when moving to different analysis areas.
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**Cross-Reference Data**

Use multiple widgets and dashboards to verify findings and get a complete picture before making decisions.
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#### Data Interpretation Tips

* **Context is Key**\
  Always consider the business context when interpreting data. Seasonal patterns, marketing campaigns, or external events can influence metrics.
* **Look for Patterns**\
  Regular navigation through dashboards helps you recognize normal patterns and quickly spot anomalies.
* **Time Sensitivity**\
  Understand which metrics update frequently and which are calculated on longer cycles to set appropriate expectations.
* **Attribution Understanding**\
  Remember that cross-session metrics provide a more complete view of customer impact than single-session data alone.

### Next Steps

Now that you understand how to navigate Analytics dashboards and widgets, you're ready to:

* **Create Your First Dashboard**: Learn to build custom dashboards tailored to your needs
* **Set Up Dashboards to Support Regular Reporting:** Configure regular reporting for stakeholder updates

Effective navigation is the foundation of data-driven decision making. Practice exploring your dashboards regularly to become more comfortable with the interface and develop insights that drive business value.

***