Custom Date Range
2 min read
Custom date ranges let you analyze campaign performance for specific time periods. Filter analytics data by preset ranges or define your own custom dates. This feature requires Smart Cycle Discounts Pro.
Accessing Date Range Selection #
The date range selector appears at the top of the Analytics Dashboard:
- Go to SC Discounts → Analytics
- Click the date range button (shows current selection, e.g., “Last 30 Days”)
- Choose a preset or select “Custom Range”
Preset Date Ranges #
| Preset | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Today | Current day (midnight to now) | Real-time monitoring |
| Yesterday | Previous full day | Daily reviews |
| Last 7 Days | Past 7 days including today | Weekly snapshots |
| Last 30 Days | Past 30 days including today | Monthly overview (default) |
| This Week | Current week (Mon-Sun or Sun-Sat) | Weekly in-progress |
| Last Week | Previous full week | Weekly completed review |
| This Month | Current calendar month | Month-to-date |
| Last Month | Previous calendar month | Monthly completed review |
| This Quarter | Current calendar quarter | Quarterly tracking |
| Last Quarter | Previous calendar quarter | Quarterly review |
| This Year | Jan 1 to today | Year-to-date |
| Last Year | Previous full year | Annual review |
Custom Date Range #
Setting a Custom Range #
- Click the date range selector
- Choose “Custom Range”
- Click the Start Date field and select from calendar
- Click the End Date field and select from calendar
- Click “Apply”
Custom Range Tips #
- End date cannot be before start date
- End date defaults to today if left empty
- Maximum range depends on data retention settings
- Very long ranges may take longer to load
Comparison Periods #
Enable comparison to see performance changes:
Automatic Comparison #
When viewing any period, the system automatically compares to the equivalent previous period:
- Last 7 Days: Compared to 7 days before that
- This Month: Compared to same days last month
- Custom Range: Compared to same duration immediately prior
Comparison Indicators #
Revenue: $10,500 ↑ 15% vs previous period ($9,130)
Toggle Comparison #
Click “Show Comparison” to overlay previous period data on charts.
Use Cases by Date Range #
Flash Sale Analysis #
Scenario: 24-hour flash sale on December 15 Custom Range: Dec 15, 2025 00:00 to Dec 16, 2025 00:00 Compare: Dec 8, 2025 (previous week same day)
Holiday Season Review #
Scenario: Black Friday through Cyber Monday Custom Range: Nov 28, 2025 to Dec 2, 2025 Compare: Nov 29, 2024 to Dec 3, 2024 (last year)
Campaign Duration #
Scenario: Week-long sale performance Custom Range: Match campaign start/end dates exactly Analysis: Total campaign impact
Before/After Comparison #
Scenario: Did new discount strategy work? Before: Jan 1-31, 2025 (old strategy) After: Feb 1-28, 2025 (new strategy) Compare both periods
Date Range and Charts #
Chart Granularity #
Chart detail level adjusts based on range:
| Range Duration | Default Granularity |
|---|---|
| 1-7 days | Daily (by day) |
| 8-60 days | Daily or Weekly |
| 61-365 days | Weekly or Monthly |
| 365+ days | Monthly |
Override Granularity #
Click chart options to manually select:
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
Saving Date Ranges #
Recent Ranges #
Your last 5 custom date ranges are saved and accessible from the dropdown.
Default Range #
The dashboard opens with “Last 30 Days” by default. This cannot be changed, but your selection persists during the session.
Date Range in Exports #
When exporting analytics data, the export includes only the currently selected date range:
- Export filename includes date range
- Example:
analytics-export-2025-12-01-to-2025-12-31.csv - Data matches exactly what you see on screen
Timezone Considerations #
All date ranges use your WordPress site timezone:
- “Today” = midnight to now in your timezone
- Custom dates = full days in your timezone
- Orders are attributed based on order creation time
Performance Tips #
Large Date Ranges #
For very long periods (6+ months):
- Initial load may take longer
- Use monthly granularity for better performance
- Consider breaking into smaller periods for detailed analysis
Real-Time Data #
For “Today” range:
- Data updates every few minutes
- Click “Refresh” for immediate update
- Very recent orders may have slight delay
Common Questions #
Why don’t I see data for older dates? #
Data retention settings may have removed old data. Check Settings → Advanced for retention period.
Why is comparison showing different percentages than expected? #
Comparison uses the exact same duration. “Last 30 days” compares to “30 days before that,” not “last month.”
Can I compare to same period last year? #
Use custom ranges: Set this year’s dates, then manually set last year’s dates for comparison in a separate view.
