How to Use the Date Filter and Compare Performance Across Time Periods?

Mastering your store’s performance starts with asking the right questions, and often, that question is “How are we doing compared to before?” The date filtering and comparison tools in the REPORTiT – Advanced Reporting for WooCommerce plugin are designed to answer exactly that. They enable you to move beyond static numbers and analyze trends, providing the context necessary for informed, data-driven decisions.

The guide below explains how to use these powerful features.

Using Pre-set Date Ranges for Quick Insights

The plugin offers a set of one-click filters to instantly analyze common time periods. Simply select from options like:

• Today / Yesterday: For a daily performance pulse-check.
• This Week / Last Week: To gauge weekly trends and the impact of recent campaigns.
• This Month / Last Month: Perfect for evaluating monthly growth and performance.
• This Quarter / Last Quarter: Essential for broader, seasonal trend analysis.
• Year to Date: To see your annual performance from the start of the year to the current date.
• Last Year: Useful for year-over-year (YoY) growth analysis.

Using the Custom Range for Precise Analysis

When you need to analyze a specific event or period that doesn’t fit a pre-set range, use the Custom Range option. 

This opens a built-in calendar that allows you to click and select any start and end date you want. 

Comparing Two Time Periods to Uncover Trends

This is one of the most powerful features for strategic analysis. After selecting your primary date range (e.g., This Month), look for a “Compare to” or similar checkbox. Enabling this allows you to select a second period (e.g., Last Month or a Custom Range from the previous year).

The plugin will then display your key metrics—like Net Sales, Order Count, and Average Order Value—side-by-side. This immediately shows you percentage increases or decreases, helping you understand if your performance is improving, declining, or staying flat over time. This direct comparison turns raw data into a clear story about your business trajectory.