How to Use the Report Builder

What the Report Builder Produces

The LemRank Report Builder allows users to create white-label SEO reports. These reports compile various data points and visualizations into a single, branded document suitable for clients or internal stakeholders. The reports can be generated as a signed, shareable URL, eliminating the need for clients to log in to a separate portal. Alternatively, reports can be exported as a PDF. The reports are designed to be customizable in terms of content, branding, and delivery schedule.

The Widget Library (Rankings, Backlinks, Competitors, AI)

The core functionality of the Report Builder relies on its widget library. These widgets allow you to drag and drop specific data visualizations and information blocks into your report. The available widgets cover key SEO metrics and analyses:

• Rankings: These widgets display keyword ranking data. You can include overall rank progression, specific keyword performance over time, or a breakdown of ranking positions for a set of keywords. For example, a ranking widget could show a graph of the average ranking position for 10 target keywords over the last three months, or a table detailing the current rank for individual keywords against selected competitors.

• Backlinks: Backlink widgets provide insights into a website's link profile. You can include metrics such as the total number of backlinks, new backlinks acquired within a specified period, referring domains, and an overview of anchor text distribution. An example widget might display a pie chart of backlink types (e.g., editorial, forum, directory) or a table listing the top 10 referring domains by Domain Authority.

• Competitors: These widgets allow you to compare your client's performance against their competitors. You can visualize ranking performance comparisons, backlink profile differences, or content gap analyses. For instance, a competitor widget could show a line graph comparing the organic traffic estimates or keyword rankings of your client against three designated competitors over the last six months.

• AI: AI-powered widgets offer advanced analysis and insights. These can include automated content brief generation based on competitor analysis, identification of topical authority gaps, or predictive ranking forecasts. An AI widget might generate a summary of on-page SEO recommendations for a specific URL based on its current content and target keywords, or suggest new content topics based on competitor keyword performance.

To add a widget to your report:

1. Navigate to the "Report Builder" section in the LemRank dashboard.
2. Select "Create New Report" or open an existing report.
3. On the left sidebar, locate the "Widget Library" section.
4. Drag the desired widget type (e.g., Keyword Ranking Chart, Top Referring Domains, Competitor Visibility Graph) from the library and drop it onto the report canvas.
5. Configure the widget's settings using the options panel that appears after dropping it. This typically involves selecting dates, keywords, competitors, or specific metrics.

Adding Client Branding

Client branding allows you to customize the appearance of the reports to align with your client's or agency's brand identity. This ensures that the reports appear as an extension of their (or your) professional communications.

Branding options typically include:

• Logo upload: You can upload your client's logo (or your agency's logo) to be displayed prominently in the report header.
• Color palette: Customize the primary and secondary colors used throughout the report, including widget borders, graph lines, and text highlights, to match brand guidelines.
• Font selection: Choose from a selection of fonts to maintain consistency with the brand's typography.

To apply branding:

1. In the Report Builder interface, locate the "Branding" or "Settings" tab for your report.
2. Upload your desired logo file (e.g., PNG, JPG) to the specified area.
3. Use the color pickers or input hexadecimal color codes to set the primary and secondary brand colors.
4. Select the preferred font from the available options.
5. Preview the report to ensure the branding is applied correctly before saving.

Scheduling Automated Delivery

The Report Builder enables the scheduling of automated report delivery. This feature ensures that clients receive regular updates without manual intervention.

To set up automated delivery:

1. After configuring your report's content and branding, navigate to the "Delivery Settings" or "Schedule" section within the Report Builder.
2. Set the delivery frequency, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
3. Specify the exact day and time for the report to be generated and sent. For example, "Every first Monday of the month at 9:00 AM PST."
4. Enter the email addresses of the recipients who should receive the report. Multiple recipients can be added.
5. Compose a custom email subject line and body message that will accompany the report link. This allows for personalized communication with each automated delivery.

When the scheduled time arrives, LemRank's automated reporting engine generates the report and sends an email containing a signed shareable URL to the specified recipients.

Sharing via Signed URL vs PDF Export

LemRank offers two primary methods for sharing your reports:

• Signed Shareable URL: This is the default and recommended method for sharing reports. When you share a report via a signed URL, recipients receive a unique, secure link to an online version of the report. This link grants access to the report without requiring a login or user account for the reader. The signed URL incorporates a secure token that authenticates access to that specific report. This method offers several advantages:

  • Always up-to-date: If the underlying data changes or the report is updated, the online version reflects these changes automatically.
  • Interactive: Online reports may include interactive elements not available in static PDFs, such as hover-over data points on graphs or filter options.
  • No client login: Clients can access their reports directly from the link provided in the email, streamlining the client experience.

• PDF Export: For situations requiring a static, offline version of the report, you can export it as a PDF. This is useful for archiving, printing, or including in other documents. The PDF export functionality within LemRank uses lazy loading for its dependencies (specifically jspdf and html2canvas). This means that the code required for PDF generation is only loaded into the user's browser when the "Export to PDF" action is explicitly triggered, rather than being included in the initial page load. This optimization helps keep the main application bundle smaller and improves initial page load times.

To share a report:

1. In the Report Builder, select the "Share" or "Export" option.
2. To generate a signed URL, click "Generate Share Link" and then copy the provided URL. This URL can be emailed or shared through other communication channels.
3. To export as PDF, click "Export to PDF." The browser will then download the generated PDF file to your device.

Templates: Monthly, Quarterly, Executive

The Report Builder provides pre-configured templates to streamline the report creation process. These templates are designed to meet common reporting needs for different intervals and audiences.

• Monthly Report Template: This template typically includes widgets relevant to month-over-month performance tracking. It might feature:

  • Overall keyword ranking changes for the past month.
  • New backlinks acquired in the last 30 days.
  • Organic traffic trends.
  • A summary of completed SEO tasks and next steps. This template is suitable for regular client updates detailing recent activity and immediate performance.

• Quarterly Report Template: Optimized for a broader perspective, this template usually aggregates data over a three-month period. It often includes:

  • Quarter-over-quarter ranking comparisons for strategic keywords.
  • Long-term backlink growth trends.
  • Comparative analysis of competitor performance over the quarter.
  • A review of strategic goals and progress made. This template is used for more in-depth reviews of sustained performance and strategic adjustments.

• Executive Summary Template: Designed for high-level stakeholders, this template focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic outcomes. It aims to provide a concise overview without delving into excessive detail. Widgets typically found in this template include:

  • A single graph showing overall organic visibility trend.
  • Key ranking wins or losses.
  • Impact on business objectives (e.g., conversions, revenue from organic).
  • A brief summary of strategic recommendations. This template is ideal for busy decision-makers who need quick insights into the overall success and direction of SEO efforts.

To use a template:

1. When creating a new report, select "Start from Template."
2. Choose the desired template (e.g., Monthly Report, Quarterly Review, Executive Summary).
3. The report will pre-populate with relevant widgets, which you can then customize by adjusting settings, adding more widgets, or removing unnecessary ones.

Related

• How to Use the Client Portal
• How to Use the Portfolio Dashboard