Using data in today’s business brings unlimited benefits to business owners. Data plays a very important role in a company to evaluate business success and collect business insights. Data visualization is the practice of translating information into a visual context, such as a map or graph, to make it easier for the human brain to understand the data and draw insights.

The main goal of data visualization is to make it easier to identify patterns, trends, and outliers in large data sets. Data visualization is important in almost every industry. Data visualization can be used in marketing to learn customer trends and interests, to display test results for teachers, by computer scientists to discover advances in artificial intelligence, and much more.

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization is the stage of creating a graphical representation of information. These visual displays of information communicate complex data relationships and data-driven insights in a way that is easy to understand. In the world of Big Data, data visualization tools and technologies are essential for analyzing massive amounts of information and making data-driven decisions.

 There are many different techniques and tools you can take advantage of to visualize data, so you want to know which to use and when. Here are some of the most important data visualization techniques that all professionals should know.

Why is Data Visualization Important?

Data visualization provides a quick and effective way of communicating information in a universal way using visual information. It can be easier for humans to visualize charts and graphs than looking at spreadsheets or reports.

Data visualization can also:

• Identify areas that need attention or improvement.
• Explain what factors influence customer behavior.
• Help you understand which products to place where.
• Predict sales volumes.

Data Visualization Techniques

Below we have discussed some common data visualization techniques, methods and skills that help in adding maximum value from this analytical exercise.

Charts

The easiest way to show the growth of one or several data sets is with a chart. Charts differ from bar and line charts which show the relationship between elements over time, from pie charts which display the components or ratios between elements of a whole.

Number charts

Real-time numbers charts are especially effective when you want to show an immediate and interactive overview of a particular key performance indicator, whether it’s a sales KPI, site visits, engagement level, or percentage of growth.

Maps

Map charts allow you to place your data in one context, often geographic location, using different layers. It is a quick, easy and digestible way of presenting large or complex sets of geographic information for multiple purposes.

Gauge charts

A gauge chart is a useful way of showing progress or goals. The illustration shows a report with gauges. Gauge charts are similar to pie charts, with the inclusion of needles to indicate data points. It shows the maximum, minimum and current value of the data being analyzed.

Area chart 

Area charts are perfect when you want to show how different values have evolved over time. Combines a line and bar chart to show how numerical values change based on other variables.

Factors that influence Data Visualization choices

Audience: It is important to change the data representation according to the needs of the target audience.

Content: The type of data you are handling will determine the strategy.

Context: You can use specific visualization approaches and read the data based on specific circumstances.

Dynamics: There are different data types, and each type has an alternate speed of progression.

Purpose: The goal of data visualization affects how it is implemented. To perform a complex analysis, visualizations are compiled into dynamic and controllable dashboards, which are equipped with various tools for visual data analytics.

Benefits of Data Visualization Skills and Technique

Let’s look at some of the benefits that data visualization skills can provide to an organization.

Greater Accessibility

We explained how large datasets are now accessible to a large number of users. This shows that data visualization is an important factor in data democratization.

Data visualization tools help to simplify complex robust data points and present them in highly digestible ways. This increased reach can help upskill employees and make businesses more efficient.

Boosts engagement

Data visualizations help in creating dashboards and converting them into stories. The reason why this program is so successful is that storytelling is a model that enables us to easily create a narrative through graphics and diagrams, through which we can discover new insights with the help of visual analysis. Conveying the message in a story is more engaging and easier to understand for your employees.

Identify patterns

Data visualization unlocks other previously invisible patterns. These other emergent properties in the data can create new valuable insights that may not have been discovered before. Visualization allows business users to recognize relationships and patterns between data, and also give it more meaning.

Tips For Creating More Effective Graphs

Creating effective data visualizations requires more than just knowing how to choose the best technology for your needs. Below we have discussed some ways to create more effective graphs.

Choose the correct chart

here are many options available for charts that can adequately represent your data. However, before choosing a chart, you need to be clear about what you and your data are trying to communicate. Consider the message you want to convey to your audience and choose your chart accordingly.

Use color to highlight important information

Colors are a great way to highlight important data in your chart. While you should be careful to use similar colors for similar data, it is often beneficial to use accent colors to emphasize a point. These accent colors will grab the reader’s attention and help them focus on the main message of the chart.

Choose a Suitable Color Palette

Avoid using a mixed color palette. While a mixed palette can provide substantial contrast between your data, it also reduces the efficacy of your charts.

Include labels and headings

Adding labels and titles to your chart adds extra context. When you provide key context, it can prevent your audience from becoming overwhelmed or suffering from cognitive overload.