Learn how to use the MyShipManager (MSM) Insights dashboard to analyze CommentSold and Shopify order performance, sales, margins, and trends.
The MSM Insights dashboard helps shops using MSM Order Sync analyze sales and order performance across CommentSold and Shopify.
You can view CommentSold data, MSM (Shopify) data, or combined data to compare performance across platforms and understand overall sales trends.
Use the table of contents below to navigate to specific sections of this article:
- Access Your MSM Insights Dashboard
- Choose Your Filter Options
- Summary Metrics for Key Focus Date(s) vs. Compared To Date(s)
- Detailed Metrics for Key Focus Date(s) vs. Compared To Date(s)
- Time Series Metrics for Selected Date Range
- View Graph Details
- Export a Data Set
- CommentSold + MSM vs. Shopify Reporting Differences
- FAQs
Access Your MSM Insights Dashboard
- Hover over the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard, then select Insights.
- Select MSM from the options listed at the top of the page.
Choose Your Filter Options
You have four filter options available to you:
-
Source. Choose your data source.
- CommentSold. This option pulls data from CS-generated orders (e.g., your CS website, mobile app, and/or live sales social posts).
- MSM. This option pulls data from orders synced from Shopify via MSM. This data is only available if you’ve enabled MSM Order Sync.
- MSM and CommentSold. View combined data for CS and Shopify generated orders. Note that the Detailed Metrics section of the tab will keep these sources separate but will provide a combined total.
- Key Focus Date. Choose a date or time frame you wish to view via the metrics displayed in the Summary Metrics section. Options include presets (e.g., Yesterday, Last 7 days, etc.) or a custom range.
- Compared to Date. Choose a date or time frame to compare to your Key Focus Date via the metrics displayed in the Summary Metrics section. Options include presets (e.g., Yesterday, Last 7 days, etc.) or a custom range.
- Time Series Metrics Date Range. Choose a time frame to apply to the metrics displayed in the Time Series Metrics section.
Summary Metrics for Key Focus Date(s) vs. Compared To Date(s)
These metrics will be for the Key Focus Date(s) and Compared to Date(s) you selected at the top of the page.
| Data Set | Information Displayed |
| Orders | Displays the total number of orders placed during the corresponding date range. |
| Gross Sales | Displays the total price of goods sold during the corresponding date range. |
| Net Sales | Displays the total price of goods sold during the corresponding date range less discounts and/or refunds plus with Partner fees. |
| Total Sales | Displays the net sales for the corresponding date range plus shipping and taxes. |
| Gross Margin ($) | Displays net sales less the cost of goods sold for the corresponding date range. |
| Gross Margin (%) | Displays the gross margin ($) divided by net sales for the corresponding date range. |
| Data Set | Information Displayed |
| Order Count by Hour of Day |
Displays a breakdown of orders placed throughout the day for the corresponding day. If you selected a date range, this count will be an hourly average across the date range. Hover over the graph to see a detailed summary of the hour and order count. |
| Cumulative Order Counts by Hour per Day |
Displays a breakdown of total orders placed as of a specific time of day for the corresponding day. If you selected a date range, this count will be an hourly average across the date range. Hover over the graph to see a detailed summary of the hour and cumulative order count. |
| Net Sales by Hour of Day |
Displays a breakdown of net sales throughout the day for the corresponding day. If you selected a date range, net sales will be an hourly average across the date range. Hover over the graph to see a detailed summary of the hour and net sales total. |
| Cumulative Net Sales by Hour of Day |
Displays a breakdown of net sales as of a specific time of day for the corresponding day. If you selected a date range, net sales will be an hourly average across the date range. Hover over the graph to see a detailed summary of the hour and cumulative net sales. |
Detailed Metrics for Key Focus Date(s) vs. Compared To Date(s)
View a breakdown of key metrics by source (MSM and/or CommentSold). These metrics will be for the Key Focus Date(s) and Compared to Date(s) you selected at the top of the page.
Metrics include:
- Total Orders
- Price of Goods Sold
- Discounts
- Refunds
- Net Sales
- Shipping
- Taxes
- Partner Fees
- Total Sales
- Cost of Goods Sold
- Gross Margin ($)
- Gross Margin (%)
Time Series Metrics for Selected Date Range
These metrics will be for the Time Series Metrics Date Range you selected at the top of the page.
| Data Set | Information Displayed |
| Orders | Displays a breakdown of total orders by day for the date range you refined. |
| Net Sales |
Displays a breakdown of net sales by day for the date range you refined. Net sales are your gross sales (price of goods sold) less discounts and refunds. Refunds are based on return date. |
| Gross Margin |
Displays a breakdown of net sales by day for the date range you refined. Your gross margin is your net sales minus the cost of goods sold. |
View Graph Details
You can hover over graphs to view a snapshot summary of the day or time frame.
Export a Data Set
You have various options when it comes to viewing and exporting your data. Please note that available options will vary by data set.
Select the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the data set to access your export option.
- Download data. Download a .CSV file of the data set to your device.
- View. Select Expand to launch an expanded display of the specific data set.
- Clear cache & refresh. Refresh the data set to bring in more updated data.
CommentSold + MSM vs. Shopify Reporting Differences
Here are some factors that may explain variances between CommentSold + My Ship Manager reporting in the Insights Dashboard and Shopify reporting:
- Store Credits: Shopify data synced to MSM does not include store credits, which could lead to differences in reporting totals.
- TikTok Purchases: Depending on your Shopify settings, TikTok purchases may not be included in the data synced to MSM, causing potential inconsistencies.
- Virtual Orders: Neither CommentSold nor Shopify syncs virtual orders, such as gift cards, so these will not appear in MSM reporting.
FAQs
What is the MSM Insights dashboard?
MSM Insights is a reporting dashboard for shops using MSM Order Sync to analyze CommentSold and Shopify order performance, sales, margins, and trends.
What data can I view in MSM Insights?
You can view CommentSold data, MSM (Shopify) data, or combined MSM and CommentSold data.
What is the Key Focus Date?
The Key Focus Date is the date or date range used for the primary metrics displayed in the Summary Metrics section.
What is the Compared To Date?
The Compared To Date is the date or date range used to compare against your Key Focus Date.
What is the Time Series Metrics Date Range?
It is the date range used to display daily Orders, Net Sales, and Gross Margin trends in the Time Series Metrics section.
Can I export MSM Insights data?
Yes. Select the three-dot menu on a data set and select Download data to download the available data as a CSV file.
Why are my MSM Insights totals different from Shopify?
Differences can occur because store credits, certain TikTok purchases, and virtual orders may not be included in the data synced between Shopify, MSM, and CommentSold.
How is gross margin calculated?
Gross Margin = Net Sales − Cost of Goods Sold.
How is gross margin percentage calculated?
Gross Margin (%) = Gross Margin ÷ Net Sales × 100.