how to enhance your dashboard

Graphical widgets for WordPress

In many situations, presenting data in an engaging format that’s easy to digest can offer many benefits. Graphical widgets for WordPress let you transform raw numbers and statistics into a visual and informative display that appeals. Most often, this will come in the form of a plugin, which lets you work with that data within WordPress.

In this post, we’ll explore graphical widgets for WordPress, including the different types you can use, the situations you’d use them, and plenty more. In the second half of the article, we’ll round up some plugins that can help you implement graphical widgets and then show you how to use one for your own needs.

Understanding graphical widgets in WordPress

Websites (including those that use WordPress) use two types of widgets: graphical and text-based. Typical text widgets can be captivating, but graphical widgets will display information in a more engaging format.

A line graph showing data for cats and two blanket types over time periods A through N. The cat line peaks at around 8 units in period F before declining, while the blanket lines remain low and steady throughout.
A graphical widget of a line chart on the front end of a website.

These widgets will have dynamic components that use different visual representations—such as charts, graphs, maps, and progress bars—to convey complex information at a glance. This can help you communicate with your readers better, which in turn helps them comprehend and interpret your data quickly. It could also improve your user engagement and retention.

While there are different ways to present your data, graphical widgets have a few elements in common:

  • They will display data in a dynamic way.
  • You’ll be able to offer interactive elements to help users ‘dig into’ your data.
  • Regardless of your site’s design, you’ll be able to customize your widgets to match.
  • There are lots of cases where you could offer real-time updates to the data you present.

However, graphical widgets are not all about adding visual flair to your site. They’re a big part of visualizing and interacting with your raw data.