Client reporting on paid search often requires too many disconnected tools. Agencies pull data from Google Ads, Google Analytics, and Google Sheets, paste it into PowerPoint, and send reports by email. The process takes hours, leads to mistakes, and distracts from actual campaign work.
A paid search dashboard brings all performance data into one platform. It pulls live metrics from multiple sources, builds real-time visuals, and gives clients direct access.
TapClicks goes further. Instead of updating each dashboard manually, users can update a single paid search dashboard template and apply it across all clients. That saves time and keeps everything consistent.
In this article, you’ll learn how to create a paid search dashboard using TapClicks, connect data sources, build templates, and automate reports that clients can view at any time.
See how TapClicks connects data, tracks metrics, and scales your reporting. Book a demo today!
What Is a Paid Search Dashboard?
A paid search dashboard brings all the multiple data sources together. Agencies and marketing teams use it to monitor performance, share results, track key metrics, and make fast decisions. There’s no need to open multiple tabs or build custom spreadsheets every week.
The dashboard connects to platforms like Google Ads and displays paid search data in a single view. Key features include:
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Real-time data visualization - Campaigns update automatically using charts, graphs, or tables, so you always work with the latest numbers.
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Performance tracking - You can view cost per click, click-through rate, conversion rate, cost per acquisition, return on ad spend, and more. These metrics reveal what’s working and what needs attention.
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Trend analysis - By comparing performance over time, agencies can spot rising costs, seasonality patterns, or declining conversion rates early.
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Optimization insights - Dashboards help teams make faster decisions. If a certain ad group underperforms or a keyword drives up ad spend, adjustments can happen quickly.
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Reporting and client communication - Dashboards double as reporting tools. Clients can log in, review their data, and see changes without waiting for a PDF.
What to Expect in a Paid Search Dashboard
A strong paid search dashboard gives users full visibility into how campaigns are performing. It organizes paid search data so you can take quick action.
The most useful dashboards go beyond surface-level stats and include deep PPC metrics, performance analyses, and time-based trends.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The most important numbers appear up front. These include cost per click, cost per acquisition, return on ad spend, click-through rate, and conversion rate. These KPIs tell you how much you’re spending, how well ads are converting, and how efficient the campaigns are.
Keyword Performance
A detailed view into keyword-level performance helps you adjust bids, pause underperformers, or expand top drivers. Dashboards show which terms bring clicks, how often they convert, and how much each one costs.
Ad Performance
Each ad variation plays a role in the overall results. A search dashboard highlights which ads deliver high click-through rates, strong conversions, or high impressions. When results dip, the data points directly to the ad creative that needs revision.
Campaign Performance
Users can check performance at the campaign level, including total cost, total conversions, and return. These numbers help measure campaign goals, compare budget plans, and track what’s delivering the most value.
Historical Data
Looking at past data is just as important as watching current numbers. A paid search dashboard shows trends over days, weeks, or months. That helps teams learn what’s improving, what’s slipping, and when to take action.
How to Set Up Paid Search Dashboards in TapClicks
TapClicks has connectors for the big platforms where agencies run paid search ads. These include the services such as:
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Google Ads
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Google Ads Manager
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Google Ads Display
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Bing Ads
Note: We also offer connectors to SEO-specific tools like SEMrush and Raven and social platforms like Facebook Ads.
Below, we look at how easy it is to connect a data set with TapClicks.
Connecting Your Paid Search Data Sources
TapClicks supports two types of connectors: Instant-On and Smart Connectors.
Instant-On connectors bring in paid search data from popular platforms in under an hour. Once linked, TapClicks can pull up to 12 months of historical data. You can begin building your paid search dashboard, create reports, and analyze past results on day one.
For platforms without a direct API connection, you can use a Smart Connector. It allows you to import data through spreadsheets. After setup, you can manage and report on the data just like any other source in your dashboard.
Most paid search platforms connect through Instant-On, making setup quick and simple. To link your data:
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In TapClicks, go to the left menu and select “Manage Data Sources.”
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Choose the paid search platform you want to connect.
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Sign in through TapClicks to begin syncing your data automatically.
Once the data sources are linked, you’ll have a complete view of your paid search campaigns on a single platform.
Selecting and Customizing a Paid Search Dashboard Template
TapClicks gives you full control over how your paid search dashboard looks and functions. You can start with a pre-built template or create one from scratch. Both options offer deep flexibility.
Many agencies begin with a ready-made paid search dashboard template and then customize it to fit specific reporting needs. When using the same template across multiple clients, one change updates all dashboards automatically while preserving each client’s data.
For example, a template built with Google Ads shows a performance summary with metrics like impressions, clicks, and click-through rate. Widgets pull data from the selected date range in the upper right-hand corner.
You can click on a widget to resize it, change the time range, or add a comment for context. One widget may show March performance, while another compares February and March side by side. Customizing the layout this way helps marketing teams present clear, focused reports for each client.
How to Create a New Widget
You can add new widgets at any time to highlight the metrics that matter. Here’s how to create one:
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Click the blue plus sign (+) at the top of the dashboard.
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Choose the widget type:
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Data widget - Shows campaign results like cost, clicks, or conversion rate.
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Media widget - Displays logos, images, or video content.
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Admin widget - Shows user info such as login records or emails.
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Pick a display format:
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Big number - Emphasizes a single value.
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Data grid - Lists detailed metrics in rows and columns.
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Bar chart - Compares values across categories.
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Line chart - Tracks performance over time.
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Combo chart - Mixes bar and line views for layered insights.
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Pie chart - Breaks down parts of a whole.
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Funnel chart - Displays steps in a process.
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Gauge chart - Shows how close you are to a set target.
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Add a title that describes what the widget shows.
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Select the data channel or source (such as Google Analytics) from your list of different platforms.
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Choose the data view and metrics you want to track.
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Save the widget to add it to your dashboard layout.
TapClicks organizes all incoming data. You just decide what to show and how to show it.
Creating Recurring Paid Search Reports
TapClicks makes it simple to build reports that pair with your paid search dashboard. These reports are visual, easy to follow, and built for repeat delivery.
Start by opening your TapClicks dashboard and selecting “Reports” from the left-hand menu.
Then click on “Report Scheduler.” From there, set the delivery schedule, choose the report format (PDF, PPT, or CSV), and pick the date range you want to include.
For deeper customization, open Report Studio to build white-label reports based on your paid search analytics. You can apply a report template and organize the data by goal or specific metric. The result is a clean report that gives context to key performance indicators like conversion rate and cost per click.
While clients can log into their dashboard, many agencies prefer to send custom reports that highlight progress toward benchmarks. With Report Studio, you control how results are presented.
Create Custom Access Permissions for Your Clients
TapClicks also lets you give clients access to their own dashboard, so they can view results without waiting for the next report.
Most agencies use two dashboard versions:
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Internal view - Includes markup or internal-only cost data.
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External view - Strips out markup and shows only what the client needs.
By setting up access permissions, you can give clients a clean version of the dashboard that updates in real time.
Track What Matters in Paid Search Campaigns With TapClicks
Evaluating paid search campaigns means taking a look at the data in a nuanced way that isn’t always available in platforms like Google Analytics and Google Ads.
To consolidate the data from these disparate marketing channels without draining your marketing team’s time, it’s essential to use a reporting tool that automates much of the reporting and analytics process.
Because of our wide range of API connections paired with our highly customizable and easy-to-manage dashboards, TapClicks significantly increases the scalability of reporting on PPC performance.
FAQs About Paid Search Dashboard
What is an example of a paid search?
A paid search example is running a Google Ads campaign where your ad appears at the top of search results when users search for a keyword like “best running shoes.” The advertising platform charges you based on clicks or impressions, depending on your campaign settings.
How do I set up paid search on Google?
To set up paid search on Google, create a Google Ads account, choose your campaign type, set a budget, select your keywords and audience, write your ad copy, and launch the campaign. You’ll then monitor ad costs, traffic sources, and conversion data through your dashboard.
What is the most popular paid search platform?
Google Ads is the most widely used paid search platform due to its reach, targeting options, and strong integration with website traffic and device type reporting.
What is the difference between paid search and SEO?
Paid search delivers instant visibility by placing your ads above organic results, while SEO focuses on ranking naturally over time. Paid ads depend on bidding and budget, while SEO relies on optimizing content and using data science to improve rankings across traffic sources. SEO builds long-term value, but paid search helps drive immediate traffic and conversions toward your desired action and short-term revenue. A new dashboard helps track both methods separately.
