If you are not aware of the power of data visualization, read this article to the end.
It’s no secret that data can be powerful, especially when you understand what it’s telling you. It is not very easy to find out the key points just by looking at a series of statistics. You need to present the data in a logical and comprehensible manner so that you can effectively apply your findings. The human brain processes visual information better than textual information; Therefore, using charts, graphs, and design elements or data visualization in general will help you explain trends and statistics more simply. Of course, not all data visualizations are the same and you should keep this in mind.
In this article, we will provide you with different ways to apply data visualization effectively, take a look at the available tools for this task, and finally, we will see examples of successful data visualizations.
Table of Contents
What is data visualization?
Data visualization allows you to organize data in a way that is attractive and understandable. This means presenting data in visual form, such as a chart or map, to help whoever is viewing it understand that data more easily.
How does data visualization work?
Since data shared by text can be confusing, data presented in a visual format can help people understand it more quickly and easily. Data visualization helps you find patterns, trends, and relationships that may be undetectable with other methods.
Statistical and interactive data visualization
Data visualization can be statistical and interactive. For centuries, people have used statistical visualizations of data such as charts and maps. Interactive data visualization is a newer method; This method allows people to focus on the deep details of these charts and graphs using their computer or mobile, and then they can interactively change the data they see and how they process it. Review.
Visualization in time intervals
In addition to statistical and interactive data visualization, you may have heard of time-lapse visualization. This method, as the name suggests, is about visualizations that track data or performance at certain time intervals. This is an important method because one of the biggest reasons people want to focus on data visualization is to show changes in variables over time.
There are many ways to use time-lapse imagery that you can do. The summary list below will give you a better understanding of which images qualify as time-lapse imagery.
- Line chart
- Bar chart
- Area Chart
- Bullet Graph
- Best practices for implementing data visualization
While you need to determine how you want to visualize the data, one of the first things you need to do is consider these activities in the list.
Choose the best image for your data and purpose.
Make sure your data is easy to understand and view.
Provide essential information for your audience in and around your image.
Make your images as simple and understandable as possible.
Educate your audience with your images.
With these things in mind, you may be wondering how to display your data effectively. When it comes to data visualization, you have several choices:
- Charts
- Tables
- Graphs
- maps
- Infographics
- Dashboards
Within each of these categories, there are more specialized solutions for data visualization. If the list of 10 data visualization solutions below doesn’t cover all the options available, it should be good enough to get you started.
How to visualize data: 10 strategies
1- Line chart
Use a line chart to display your data over some time to spot trends and breaks. You can do this with single or multi-point data.
2- Bar Chart
The bar chart is used to compare groups or categories while also displaying specific values.
3- Scatter Chart
A scatter chart is used to show the values of two different variables as points on the chart.
4- Area Chart
Area charts are used in the same way as line charts. The difference between the two is that the area under the line is colored. Both line and area charts show changes in value.
5- Map
Maps are used to show data that is geographically located and also to show the distribution and fit of data in specific areas.
6- Indicator
Use indicators when you want to display your data with visuals like gauges or tickers that show you the movement of different items over time.
7- Pivot Table
A pivot table is used to summarize a large amount of information while highlighting the most critical data for the audience.
8- Bullet Graph
A bullet graph is used in the same way as a bar chart. The main difference between the two is that a bullet graph allows you to include more detailed information in a way that isn’t too cluttered and confusing.
9- Box plot
A box plot is used to see the distribution of data. You will have your box layout for each feature you show.
10-Matrix
Matrices are used to show relationships between hundreds of thousands of data points, variables, and more to understand the interactions between them all in one place.
Whether you’re writing a blog post, preparing a presentation, or working on a full report, using data in your content marketing strategy is essential.
Using data will help you build your credibility by making your writing more engaging and supporting your claims. However, if you don’t have expertise in using data yourself, knowing where to look for it and how to display it once it’s found can be difficult.
Sometimes, the best way to display data is graphically. To help you with data visualization, we have provided you with a list of available resources for this task. In this list, you can see the necessary tools to get valid data to create stunning images.
Introduction of several reliable sources to collect reliable data
When looking for data, it’s important to find numbers that not only look good but are also reliable. The sources below will lead you to reliable data to get you started but don’t forget to test the credibility of anything you come across. Always ask yourself: “Is this data authentic, reliable, up-to-date, and integrated?”
1-Statista
Statista is a portal of statistics, studies, and forecasts focused on market research and public opinion polls. Created for businesses and students alike, this site makes it easy to find relevant market data by industry, subject, or country.
One of Statista’s best features is its easy-to-navigate interface and automatic visualization capabilities. You can easily download the statistics and charts you find in PDF, PNG, or special Office file formats so that you can personalize them and use them for yourself.
2- Google Trends
Ever look for data on popular topics, online trends, and current events? If you haven’t already, Google Trends could be your new favorite resource.
Google Trends gives you data about what people are searching for, how trends change over time, and how search interest changes by region, state, and country. Searching for specific trends is easy, and you can also check out current trending topics. The best part about Google Trends is that it is very easy to use and it is 100% free.
3- Zanran
Google is great when you’re looking for a lot of broad information, but when you want to find specific charts or data points, you’re better off trying Zanran.
Zanran is a search engine specially designed to find tables, charts, and graphs online. Note that Zanran works by examining photos found online, not text. In other words, this search engine only displays information found in real tables, graphs, and charts. This method will get you to the raw and original data quickly, but if you are looking for short and well-interpreted facts and figures, this search engine may not work for you.
4- Pew Research Center
This site, which is one of the leading intellectuals in America, publishes a large amount of information and data in the field of public opinion, social problems, and demographics in America and the world.
This site is a great source for finding authoritative data on topics such as politics, media, internet and technology, social trends, and more. When you want to look for specialized data, do not forget this page, also try to follow them on social networks. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date on current trends and get new ideas for content.
5- SocialMention
This platform, which has a similar application to Google Trends, is a search and analysis tool that allows you to monitor online trends in user-generated content. If you’ve ever wanted to monitor what people are saying about your brand, SocialMention is a great tool for that.
The main strength of this tool is its analysis capability. Simply type in any keyword and this tool will give you power (probability of being talked about), sentiment (rate of positive comments compared to negative), interest (probability of repeated mentions), and reach (evaluation of the influence of unique authors). to the individual) will give you the keywords about it. Collecting these data models about your brand can be very useful internally, and you can also use them to find data about community-related content.
6-Think with Google
Google has a lot of information to share with people. Fortunately, Google has created a tool for marketers to find the latest data on current trends called Think with Google.
This is a great browsing tool and we highly recommend subscribing to it. Since this tool was created specifically for marketers, it does a great job of keeping you updated on the latest information you need to know.
7- HubSpot Research
Another great source for free marketing, sales, and business data is the HubSpot Research tool. This tool is where reports, statistics, charts, and thought leadership ideas are published.
If you’re looking for specialized statistics and charts, it’s easier to browse by category or use searchable topics to find the data you’re looking for. If there are specific topics you want to hear more about, this tool will send you emails when new reports or new data are released on that topic.
Appropriate resources for data visualization
Now that you know where to find valid data, it’s time to think about how you’re going to present this data in a way that’s understandable to your audience. In its most basic form, data visualization is the process of transforming simple facts and figures into an understandable image, be it a chart, graph, timeline, map, infographic, or other visual model.
While understanding the theory and logic behind data visualization is important, you also need the tools and resources to make digital data visualization possible. In the following, we introduce 10 powerful tools for you to browse, bookmark, or download to help you and your business in data visualization.
8-Excel
The probability that you know Excel software and have it on your computer is very high. Microsoft Excel is a classic tool used for both data analysis and visualization. It doesn’t matter whether you are doing the analysis yourself or just trying to visualize the data, Excel is a very powerful tool for producing all kinds of models, graphs, charts, and tables.
Working with Excel for newbies may seem a little difficult and confusing at first, so if you want to move forward with data visualization in this way, it is better to learn how to work with Excel.
9- Infogr. am
Infographics are one of the best possible ways to interpret your data by turning it into a visual and memorable story.
If you have little design experience, infographics are a great tool for you. This tool provides you with various infographic templates and the necessary tools to personalize them. You can use charts, graphs, maps, images, and icons to make data visually appealing.
10 and 11 – Photoshop & Illustrator
If you have more experience in data visualization or design, using Adobe products can be a great way to create more creative and professional data visualizations. Both Photoshop and Illustrator allow you to create charts and graphs, and both are great for creating longer models of infographics.
12- Tableau
If you’re looking for sophisticated data visualization capabilities, Tableau is the data visualization software for you. By connecting to other data tools like Excel, this software transforms your raw data into stunning visuals.
Keep in mind that this software cannot be software that you will use constantly for data visualization. It is a powerful and expensive tool designed for use by organizations that work with large amounts of raw data. Either way, if you’re looking for an upgrade to Excel’s visualization capabilities, this tool calls out to you.
13- Databox
If you’re trying to visualize your marketing performance data to present or report to your boss, clients, or other partners, DataBox provides standard reporting formats for over 50 popular marketing software products, including Google Analytics, HubSpot, AdWords, and Facebook offers ads.
If you want to customize your reports, you can do so in the Report Designer section of this tool. If you’re more technical, you can use their query builder to filter data or connect to an SQL database if your data is stored there. You can allow others to view and access your updated data from a variety of devices, such as a computer, the Databox mobile app, a TV, or even an Apple Watch.
14- Zing Chart
Have you ever wanted to create graphic designs and animation charts, but weren’t sure where to start? Zing Chart can help you with this. Using JavaScript, ZingChart gives you a complete library of charts, graphs, and maps that you can animate and use to create stunning visuals for your website and blog posts.
The best thing about ZingChart is its flexibility and adaptability. All the charts of this tool have a responsive design and ensure that your charts are displayed well on all screens.
15- Timeline JS
One of the most often overlooked data visualization models is timelines. They are a great way to display data by looking at changes or events over time.
While you can create timelines in many different design platforms like Illustrator, this free tool makes it easy to create slideshow-based timelines that can be coded on your site or blog.
16 and 17 – Google Charts & Google Sheets
If you are looking for a tool like ZingChart that allows you to code graphs and charts on the site, Google Charts is right for you. Google Charts is an API tool that allows you to create custom charts for coding. These charts can be animated but will have the same look and feel as the . PNG charts you can create in Google Sheets.
If you like the look and feel of Google Charts but need graphics for . JPEG or . PNG files, you can also use Google Sheets to create graphs and charts that look very similar to what you would create in Excel. Do.
18- Piktochart
A tool similar to Infogr.am, Pictochart makes it easy for you to create and customize infographics with its templates. This tool was created for users who have little design experience and want to create amazing infographics.
Keep in mind that if you are going to use a lot of one of these two tools, try to combine them. This gives you access to more formats that you can use to diversify your content.