How one agency scaled smarter by simplifying reporting and reducing client check-ins by 75%
Marcus O’Gell is the Director of SEO and Analytics at Sentic Production, a Chicago-based digital marketing agency serving clients across industries such as assisted living, e-commerce, hospitality, and home services. With a focus on driving revenue growth and improving digital visibility, Marcus oversees strategies that help clients scale. His team at Sentic Production uses Databox to simplify performance tracking and storytelling for clients and internal teams alike.
Sentic Production faced two recurring issues depending on the type of client. For smaller businesses, explaining complex SEO and marketing data in a digestible way was a major challenge. These clients often lacked the technical background to interpret raw metrics. For larger clients, the problem was a lack of trust due to poor reporting from previous agencies. Sentic Production needed a way to not only visualize performance clearly, but also demonstrate return on investment to clients.
Internally, the team struggled with efficiency. Checking campaign results across multiple platforms like Google Ads and Search Console was time-consuming. Client meetings were less effective, with valuable time spent explaining data rather than collaborating on strategy.
Marcus first discovered Databox nearly eight years ago, before joining Sentic Production. Even then, he was impressed by how intuitive and visually compelling the platform was compared to alternatives. When he joined Sentic Production and they began scaling rapidly, Databox was the obvious choice for centralizing and visualizing data efficiently. It stood out for its scalability, robust support, and the ability to build reusable frameworks and templates.
“Anybody can do an intricate report in other tools, but it’s not scalable. Databox allows you to build templates and scale as you grow,” Marcus explained.
Marcus brought years of Databox experience to Sentic Production, but even he benefited from guidance during onboarding. From suggesting more efficient ways to build dashboards to solving technical questions around GA4 connections, the Databox support team helped streamline implementation.
The only minor challenge came when building custom metrics for a client who needed white-labeled reporting for their own clients. Though initially overwhelming, the Databox team stepped in with helpful strategies and clear communication.
Since implementing Databox, Sentic Production has seen major improvements in both client and internal operations:
“Databox helps us show the journey. We can go back and say, ‘Look where you were last year.’ Clients love seeing that dramatic change,” Marcus shared.
“Data is only going to be more important as platforms get more complex. If you want to take your reporting to the next level, start with Databox early. It scales with you and makes everything easier, from client communication to internal reporting. Your success is linked to theirs.”