Before you begin: This article outlines best practices for using visualization widgets in TapClicks. Each widget type serves a specific purpose and can help users interpret and present their marketing data effectively. Use the following guidance to ensure dashboards remain clear, usable, and aligned with reporting goals. Navigate to a particular section by using the table of contents below:
Big Number Best Practices
Grid Widget Best Practices
Line Chart Best Practices
Bar Chart Best Practices
Combo Chart Best Practices
Pie Chart Best Practices
Funnel Chart Best Practices
Gauge Chart Best Practices
Bubble Chart Best Practices
Geo Chart Best Practices
Widget Best Practices for Mobile App
Big Number Best Practices
Big Number widgets highlight high-level metrics using large, easy-to-read text. These widgets are ideal for drawing attention to summary KPIs at a glance. They support multiple plot types to tailor the display depending on the use case.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Default: Standard layout for a single KPI. Use when minimal styling is needed.
- Multi Metric: Displays multiple KPIs in one view. Best for grouped metric summaries.
- Comparison: Adds prior period comparison. Use to track changes over time.
- Sparkline: Includes a trend line under the number. Helpful for spotting quick trends.
- Classic: Legacy version retained for compatibility. Use only when replicating legacy dashboards.
Grid Widget Best Practices
The grid widget displays data in a table format and offers several plot type styles to help visualize and organize metrics effectively. Each plot type is suited to different use cases. Styling options can be configured in the Styles tab of the widget editor.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Default: General use with full customization options (fonts, row colors, wrap text, etc.).
- Heat Map: Applies background gradients to columns. Use to highlight relative values.
- Conditional Map: Colors cells based on thresholds or logic rules. Use to call out key values.
- Grouped Column: Organizes related metrics with labeled group headers. Helps structure data-heavy views.
- Classic: Legacy table style. Use only when maintaining existing dashboard layouts.
Line Chart Widget Practices
Line charts are designed to show trends over time. They are commonly used for displaying changes in one or more metrics across a date range.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Line: Simple lines for tracking values over time. Use for clear trend visualization.
- Stacked: Layers values cumulatively. Best when showing components of a whole.
- 100% Stacked: Normalizes each time point to 100%. Helps compare proportions.
- Area: Fills the area below the line. Adds visual emphasis to data volume.
Bar Chart Best Practices
Bar charts are used to compare values across discrete categories. They are versatile for ranking, sorting, or grouping data visually.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Clustered: Groups bars by category for comparison. Use for comparing multiple values side by side.
- Stacked: Displays multiple values in one bar. Use to show how segments contribute to a whole.
- 100% Stacked: Normalizes stacked bars to 100%. Use for proportional analysis.
- Layered: Overlaps bars slightly. Useful for comparing similar values.
- Lollipop: Minimalist version with markers on lines. Best for simpler comparisons.
- Radial Histogram: Displays bar data in a circular format. Useful for a unique visual presentation.
- Radial Bar: Circular version of a bar chart. Use when working within space-constrained layouts.
Combo Chart Best Practices
Combo charts combine multiple chart types, typically bars and lines, in one visualization. This is useful for comparing metrics with different units or scales.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Clustered: Combines bar and line elements side-by-side. Standard for multi-metric comparisons.
- Stacked: Bars stack within categories. Good for showing combined values.
- 100% Stacked: Normalizes stacked values. Emphasizes proportional contributions.
- Layered: Overlays bars to emphasize differences. Helps reduce chart width while preserving comparison.
Pie Chart Best Practices
Pie charts show how a single metric is divided among multiple categories. They are best used when displaying part-to-whole relationships.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Pie: Basic format for percentage breakdowns. Use when there is a small number of categories.
- Donut: Pie chart with an open center. Improves readability and allows inner labels. Adjust inner radius as needed.
Funnel Chart Best Practices
Funnel charts show a process with multiple steps, typically from broad awareness to conversion or completion. They help identify drop-off points.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Funnel: Traditional shape for linear step tracking. Good for general funnel analysis.
- Pyramid: Inverted triangle format. Provides an alternative visual for progression.
- Pictorial: Uses icons or images to represent stages. Ideal for more visual storytelling.
Gauge Chart Best Practices
Gauge charts are circular visuals designed to show progress toward a goal or threshold. They are best used for monitoring individual KPIs.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Gauge: Basic dial display. Use for single metric performance tracking.
- Multi Axis Gauge: Shows multiple values on one dial. Use when comparing similar metrics.
Bubble Chart Best Practices
Bubble charts display three dimensions of data using an x-axis, a y-axis, and bubble size. They are useful for analyzing relationships and distributions.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Bubble: Only available plot type. Use to compare three metrics at once.
Geo Chart Best Practices
Geo charts map data to locations, allowing comparison across regions. They are ideal for geographic analysis and identifying regional trends. Keep geographic granularity consistent with the data source.
Plot Type Best Practices:
- Heatmap: Uses color gradients to show intensity. Best for continuous or dense data.
- Bubble Map: Places bubbles of varying size by location. Best for showing metric volume per region.
- TapMap: Also known as Advanced Geo Visualizations. Only available to users with an upgraded subscription. Speak to your Customer Success Manager or reach out to support@tapclicks.com to learn more.
Widget Best Practices for Mobile App
For the best experience in the TapReports Mobile Application, keep dashboards clean, lightweight, and focused. Not all plot types are supported on mobile, and overly complex layouts can affect performance.
Tips for optimizing widgets for mobile:
- Use Big Number, Bar, Line, and Pie widgets for simple, scannable visuals.
- Avoid excessive rows in Grid widgets—limit columns to 3–5 and rows to 10–15 when possible.
- Use vertical layouts and avoid squeezing too many widgets into one section.
- Keep summaries concise in Executive Summary widgets—3–5 key points work best.
- Always preview dashboards in the mobile app to check for sizing, truncation, and readability.
Unsupported Plot Types on Mobile:
The following plot types are not currently supported in the TapReports Mobile App and will not display:
- Bar Chart - Radial Histogram
- Bar Chart - Radial Bar
- Funnel – Pictorial
- Combo Chart - Layered
For mobile-friendly dashboards, stick to default or simple plot styles that load quickly and render clearly on smaller screens.