Overview
This guide shows you how to configure additional data sources in Sona to enhance your customer journey mapping. You will learn how to connect external reports, set up proper time zone handling, create field mappings, and configure attributes to be included in the buyer's journey. With a secondary data source configured, additional touchpoints are automatically added to the timeline in Profile 360, giving you a more complete view of interactions.
When to use secondary sources
Use Contact Journey secondary sources when you need to:
Import data from external marketing and analytics platforms.
Combine first-party website tracking with third-party website tracking data.
Synchronize website tracking data with imported data.
Prerequisites:
Access to the Contact Journey workspace settings.
Appropriate permissions to configure secondary sources.
Access to the external platforms you want to connect, such as Google Analytics or Shopify.
An understanding of your data structure and reporting needs.
Step 1: access secondary source configuration
Navigate to Workspace Settings: from your main dashboard, click Workspace Settings in the left sidebar, then select Contact Journey from the settings menu.
Open the Secondary Source tab: click the Secondary Source tab at the top of the page. You will see the configuration interface for importing external data sources.
Step 2: configure your data source
Select your report type: click the Select Report Type dropdown and choose from available source types.
Choose your specific report: after selecting a report type, use the Select Report dropdown. This shows available reports within your chosen category. Select the specific report or data source you want to import.
The source configuration is the foundation of your data integration.
Step 3: set up timezone handling
Click the Select Timezone dropdown and choose the appropriate timezone for your data source.
Step 4: create field mappings
In the Mapping section, you will connect external data fields to your Contact Journey fields:
Field: select the field from your Contact Journey system.
Column: map it to the corresponding column from your external source.
This step ensures data flows correctly between systems.
Step 5: configure attributes
Add your first attribute: in the Attributes List section, click the Field dropdown and select the type of data field you want to track. Common options include campaign data, user identifiers, and conversion metrics.
Set up filtering: use the Filter dropdown to specify how data should be processed. Choose appropriate filtering methods based on your data type; this helps ensure you capture only relevant, clean data.
Define values and names: for Value/Transformation, enter the exact field name from your source data. For Name, create a user-friendly display name for reporting. Use consistent naming conventions that your team will understand.
Your secondary source integration is nearly complete.
Step 6: add multiple attributes
Add additional attributes: click the + Add button to create more attribute mappings.
Repeat the configuration process for each data point you want to track. You can add as many attributes as needed for comprehensive tracking.
Organize your attributes: use the drag handles (⋮⋮ icon) to reorder attributes logically.
Group related attributes together for easier management and consider the order they will appear in your reports.
Key concepts and best practices
Understanding secondary sources: secondary sources supplement your primary tracking by importing data from external platforms. This creates a unified view of customer interactions across multiple touchpoints, giving you insights that single-source tracking cannot provide.
Report type selection strategy:
Platform Reports: best for social media advertising data, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
Analytics Reports: ideal for website behavior data, such as Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics.
Spreadsheet: perfect for custom data exports and manual data entry.
E-commerce Reports: essential for transaction and product data integration.
Timezone best practices:
Always use a consistent timezone across all data sources when possible.
Document timezone choices for future reference.
Test timestamp alignment after configuration.
Field mapping excellence:
Map only the fields you actually need to avoid data clutter.
Use descriptive names that clearly indicate the data's purpose.
Maintain consistent naming conventions across all sources.
Document your mapping decisions for team reference.
Essential attributes to track: most organizations should include these core secondary source attributes:
Campaign Identifiers: to track marketing campaign performance.
User Demographics: for audience segmentation and personalization.
Conversion Events: to measure success across platforms.
Engagement Metrics: to understand interaction quality.
Revenue Data: for ROI and attribution analysis.
Performance and data quality tips:
Start with one secondary source and validate data accuracy before adding more.
Regularly audit your mappings to ensure data flows correctly.
Set up data validation checks to catch import errors early.
Monitor data freshness and sync frequency.
Keep backup configurations documented.
FAQs
What does a secondary source add to Contact Journey?
What does a secondary source add to Contact Journey?
A secondary source imports data from an external platform, such as Google Analytics or Shopify, and adds it as additional touchpoints on a contact's Profile 360 timeline. This supplements your primary first-party website tracking with a more complete view of customer interactions across platforms.
How do I choose the right report type for my secondary source?
How do I choose the right report type for my secondary source?
Choose Platform Reports for social media advertising data, Analytics Reports for website behavior data, Spreadsheet for custom exports or manual entry, and E-commerce Reports for transaction and product data. Matching the report type to your data source keeps the integration accurate.
Should I connect multiple secondary sources at once?
Should I connect multiple secondary sources at once?
No, start with one secondary source and validate data accuracy before adding more. Regularly audit your mappings, set up data validation checks to catch import errors early, and monitor data freshness and sync frequency as you scale up to additional sources.