Assuming you’ve enabled and properly setup the custom dimension for Categories, here’s a sample template to get you started:
https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/template?uid=G_hizPL-SaaCnDej2MOLAA
And since we are at this point, here’s a template for those who have all custom dimensions enabled:
https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/template?uid=5HlYuGcxSx2lJNvKvPB3rA
I should probably write a dedicated documentation page for these at some point.
Thread Starter
Julie
(@habannah)
Thanks, Alin.
Hmm, I guess I haven’t enabled and/or properly set them up, because I wasn’t able to import those templates. I got an error — invalid data…
You need to create first the custom definitions. In your Google Analytics account go to Admin, choose the right Property and select Custom Definitions -> Custom Dimensions. After defining them make sure the indexes on that screen match those selected in GADWP Settings.
Go ahead and create a custom report, and choose Sessions or Hits for metrics, depending on your custom dimension scope. For dimension, type the name you gave to your dimension, you should see something like Custom Dimension – The dimension name, and select it.
Thread Starter
Julie
(@habannah)
Thanks for the tip, Alin.
I’m surprised that I had to set something up in my Analytics account for this to work, since that’s not how the rest of the tracking done by the plugin works.
What I mean is that when I set up the plugin, I chose my settings for the Custom Definitions and for Events tracking. I have data from the Events tracking from the time I set up the plugin, even though I only set up the custom reports and dashboards this week. I would have thought the Custom Definitions worked the same — otherwise it should be indicated right on the Custom Definitions settings screen that further setup is needed directly in Google Analytics.
However, I think it’s working now. I was able to set up the custom reports and dashboards. There’s no data at all, but I guess I’ve just got to wait until I start collecting some…
I think you’re right that more documentation is needed — perhaps just include a link to this thread until you have time to write something more detailed?
Thanks again for your help, and cheers!
You’re right and what you said makes sense. Thanks for the feedback.
Thread Starter
Julie
(@habannah)
Hi again Alin, I just checked my Analytics reports, and collection of custom dimensions data is working great. Wow! I’m really impressed with the new stats I’ve got access to 🙂 So, I’m glad my feedback was helpful to you — but it’s me who owes you all the thanks 😉
Now I’m thinking I’d like to add a few more custom dimensions, currently I’m thinking for my custom taxonomies, but who knows what I might dream up in the future. Is there a premium or pro version of the plugin that would allow me to add and define my own custom dimensions? I can start a new thread for this question if you prefer…
I tried to import the second template and Google Analytics said I can’t. Maybe it’s because I already have one dimension (that I now can’t delete)?
Cheers
Ryan
