Data Pipeline & Source Integration for Looker Studio

Purpose

To ensure all Cashkr data sources (GA4, Google Ads, Meta Ads, Firebase, Postgres, CSVs, etc.) are integrated correctly into Looker Studio with stable connections, proper naming, and scheduled refresh.

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Who Is Responsible

• Primary: Data Analyst (Ashwini Giri)

• Secondary: Tech Team → For Postgres & Firebase access

• Marketing Team: Provides access for Google Ads, Meta Ads, Search Console

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Tools Required

• Looker Studio

• GA4

• Google Ads

• Meta Ads Manager

• Firebase

• PostgreSQL Database

• Google Search Console

• Google Sheets

• CSV Files

• Admin access to dashboards

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SECTION 1 — Full Data Pipeline Overview

Below is how all Cashkr data flows into Looker Studio:

1. Website/App Analytics → GA4 → Looker Studio

• GA4 tracks web + app events

• GA4 is connected to Looker Studio using GA4 Connector

2. Ad Campaigns → Google Ads / Meta Ads → Looker Studio

• Google Ads data connects via Google Ads Connector

• Meta Ads connects via Supermetrics or Google Sheets → API pull → Looker Studio

3. App Events & User Properties → Firebase → Looker Studio

• Firebase connects to Looker Studio via the Firebase Connector

• Used for installs, events, user engagement

4. Internal Product Data → PostgreSQL → Looker Studio

• Vendor, lead, customer, orders = stored in Postgres

• Looker Studio connects through the PostgreSQL Connector

5. Manual/Offline Data → CSV → Google Sheets → Looker Studio

• Manual sheets are uploaded to Google Sheets

• Looker Studio pulls Sheets via Google Sheets Connector

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SECTION 2 — How to Connect Each Source to Looker Studio

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A. Connect GA4

Steps:

1. Open Looker Studio → Create → New Report

2. Click Add Data

3. Choose Google Analytics

4. Select correct Account → Property → Data Stream

5. Click Connect → Add to Report

6. Rename: GA4 – Cashkr Web/App

Check:

• Verify metrics like Sessions, Events, Users

• Enable Daily Refresh

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B. Connect Google Ads

Steps:

1. Add Data → Select Google Ads

2. Sign in with Cashkr Ads Gmail

3. Select Account

4. Connect → Add

Check:

• Metrics must include: Clicks, Cost, Impressions, Conversions

• Refresh = Daily

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C. Connect Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram Ads)

You have 2 options:

Option 1 (Recommended): Supermetrics Connector

1. Add Data → Supermetrics → Meta Ads

2. Login with Meta Business Account

3. Select Ad Account

4. Connect → Add

Option 2 (Free): Google Sheets Pull

1. Export Meta data to Google Sheets using API or manual download

2. Add → Google Sheets Connector

3. Connect → Add

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D. Connect Firebase

Steps:

1. Add Data → Select Firebase

2. Choose project (Cashkr)

3. Select: App Events, Crashlytics, Debug view

4. Connect → Add

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E. Connect PostgreSQL Database

Steps:

1. Add Data → PostgreSQL

2. Enter credentials (host, port, database, username, password)

3. Select schema (public)

4. Select tables:

   • masterlead

   • customer

   • vendor

   • orders

5. Test → Connect → Add

VERY IMPORTANT:

• Credentials expire if password changes

• Always coordinate with Tech Team

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F. Connect CSV/Google Sheets

CSV Upload:

1. Add Data → File Upload → Select CSV

2. Connect → Add

Google Sheets:

1. Add Data → Google Sheets

2. Select Sheet

3. Enable Auto-refresh

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SECTION 3 — How to Add a New Data Source

1. Request access from relevant team (Ads, Tech, Analytics)

2. Open Looker Studio → Add Data

3. Choose correct connector

4. Connect source

5. Rename data source using standard naming:

   Brand – Platform – Source

   Example:

   • Cashkr – Google Ads

   • Cashkr – GA4 Web

   • Cashkr – Postgres – Leads

6. Add to dashboard

7. Test sample charts to confirm values

8. Enable daily refresh

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SECTION 4 — Updating Credentials

When passwords/permissions change, the connection breaks.

Steps to Update Credentials

1. Open dashboard → Resource → Manage Added Data Sources

2. Find the affected source (it will show ⚠️ ERROR)

3. Click Edit Connection

4. Sign in with new credentials OR update database password

5. Save → Refresh fields

When does this happen?

• Google account login expires

• Meta Ads token refreshes

• Postgres password updated by Tech

• Sheet gets moved or permission removed

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SECTION 5 — Fixing Broken Connections

Broken connections show errors like:

❌ “Data Set Configuration Error”

❌ “Access Denied”

❌ “Unable to fetch schema”

❌ “Failed to fetch data”

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Fix 1 — Re-authenticate

• Click Reconnect

• Login again

• Approve permissions

Fix 2 — Update Database Credentials

• Ask Tech Team for updated Postgres credentials

• Enter new username/password

• Test connection

Fix 3 — Sheet Moved or Access Removed

• Request Editor access to the Google Sheet

• Reconnect the sheet

• Re-add the correct tabs

Fix 4 — Refresh Fields

1. Resource → Manage Data Sources

2. Click Refresh Fields

3. Accept schema changes

Fix 5 — Reconnect Entire Source

If nothing works:

1. Remove the broken data source

2. Re-add new connection

3. Re-map the charts (if needed)

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SECTION 6 — Standard Naming Convention

Always name data sources like this:

Brand – Platform – Type

Examples:

• Cashkr – GA4 Web

• Cashkr – GA4 App

• Cashkr – Google Ads

• Cashkr – Meta Ads

• Cashkr – Postgres – Leads

• Cashkr – CSV – Manual Upload

This keeps dashboards clean.

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SECTION 7 — Quality Control Checklist

Before publishing a dashboard:

✅ All data sources connected

✅ All connections refreshed

✅ Credentials updated

✅ No error icons

✅ All metrics match platform values

✅ Naming convention followed

✅ Only Data Analyst has Edit access