How to Create Viral Infographic That People Can’t Stop Sharing

Infographics have taken the digital world by storm, becoming a powerful tool for communication, marketing, and storytelling. But what exactly is an infographic, and why has it become such an essential part of content strategy?

In simple terms, an infographic is a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge, designed to present complex ideas in a clear and engaging way. Whether it’s a timeline, comparison chart, process breakdown, or statistical analysis, infographics make it easier for audiences to absorb information quickly.

Why Are Infographics So Popular?

Studies show that visuals improve learning and retention. According to the Social Science Research Network, 65% of people are visual learners, meaning they process and retain information better when presented in a visual format.

Additionally, a study by HubSpot found that infographics are liked and shared on social media three times more than any other type of content.

This makes sense—our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text (Thermopylae Sciences and Technology), and with the rise of social media, where visual content reigns supreme, infographics have become an essential asset for marketers, educators, and businesses alike.

The Power of Infographics in Digital Marketing

If you’re a content creator, marketer, or entrepreneur, using infographics can significantly boost engagement. Here’s how:

• Improves Information Retention – Viewers remember 80% of what they see, compared to just 20% of what they read (Brain Rules by John Medina).
• Increases Website Traffic – Posts featuring infographics can increase traffic by 12% compared to those without (Demand Gen Report).
• Enhances SEO Performance – Infographics can help earn high-quality backlinks. Websites with infographics generate more inbound links than those without, which improves search engine rankings (Moz).
• Boosts Social Shares – Infographics receive more engagement on platforms like Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram, making them a valuable tool for social media marketing.

Types of Infographics

Not all infographics are the same. Depending on the message and audience, different styles serve different purposes. Here are some of the most common types:

1. Statistical Infographics

Perfect for presenting data-driven insights using graphs, pie charts, and bar diagrams. These are ideal for research reports, survey results, or industry trends.

Example: 20 Graphic Design Statistics and Facts You Didn’t Know

2. Timeline Infographics

Used to visualize historical events, product development milestones, or project timelines. They help illustrate progress over time.

3. Process Infographics

Break down step-by-step instructions or workflows into an easy-to-follow visual guide.

Check out more process infographics on easely.ly

4. Comparison Infographics

Highlight the differences and similarities between two or more concepts, products, or services.

Example: HTTP1 vs. HTTP2 Infographic

5. List Infographics

Used to summarize key points or tips in a visually appealing way.

6. Geographic Infographics

Utilize maps, location-based data, and demographics to convey regional trends.

How to Create an Infographic (Step-by-Step Guide)

Now that we know what an infographic is and why it’s effective, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating an infographic. Whether you’re designing an infographic for a blog, social media, or a marketing campaign, following a structured approach ensures clarity, engagement, and shareability.

Step 1: Define Your Objective

Before you start designing, ask yourself:

1. What message do I want to communicate?
2. Who is my target audience?
3. What action do I want viewers to take?

Every infographic should have a clear purpose—whether it’s explaining a concept, summarizing data, or providing a step-by-step guide.

Example: If you’re a marketer, your goal might be to create an infographic that highlights the benefits of social media advertising, with the intent of driving traffic to your website.

Step 2: Research and Gather Data

A good infographic is based on accurate and compelling data. Whether you’re visualizing statistics, trends, or processes, reliable sources are key.

Where to Find Reliable Data:

• Government and Research Websites (e.g., World Bank, Pew Research, CDC)
• Industry Reports and Case Studies (e.g., HubSpot, Statista, Nielsen)
• Academic Publications and Whitepapers (Google Scholar, ResearchGate)
• Surveys and Polls (Conduct your own via Google Forms, Typeform, or Pollfish)

Pro Tip: Always cite your sources within the infographic or in the accompanying text to maintain credibility.

Step 3: Choose the Right Type of Infographic

Different types of infographics serve different purposes:

• Data-Driven Infographics – Great for survey results, statistics, and industry trends.
• Timeline Infographics – Best for historical events, company milestones, or product evolution.
• How-To Infographics – Useful for step-by-step guides and instructional content.
• Comparison Infographics – Perfect for showcasing pros vs. cons or product comparisons.

Example: If your goal is to educate your audience on how to create an infographic, a process infographic is the best choice.

Step 4: Create a Wireframe and Outline

Before jumping into design, sketch out a rough layout of your infographic. This helps organize the flow of information and ensures a logical structure.

Things to consider:

• What sections will the infographic include?
• How will the data be visualized (charts, icons, illustrations)?
• What colors and fonts align with your brand or theme?

Wireframing Tools:

• Pen and Paper – Quick and simple for brainstorming layouts.
• Figma – Great for collaborative wireframing.
• Adobe XD – Ideal for designing prototypes.

Step 5: Design Your Infographic

Now comes the fun part—bringing your infographic to life! You don’t need to be a professional designer to create a high-quality infographic. With the right tools and best practices, anyone can design an engaging visual.

Best Practices for Infographic Design:

• Keep It Simple and Focused – Avoid clutter. Stick to key points and relevant visuals.
• Use a Consistent Color Palette – Limit colors to 3-5 that complement each other.
• Choose Easy-to-Read Fonts – Mix one headline font with a clean body text font.
• Use High-Quality Icons and Images – Platforms like Noun Project, Flaticon, Freepik, and Unsplash offer free design assets.
• Make It Mobile-Friendly – 60%+ of people consume content on mobile devices.

More about this later…

Recommended Design Tools:

• Canva – Beginner-friendly with templates. Very basic and limited.
• Piktochart – Great for data-driven infographics.
• Venngage – Ideal for business and marketing visuals.
• Professional Vector Illustration Software like Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Affinity Designer – For professional-level custom designs. (Recommended)

Step 6: Optimize for SEO and Social Media

Your infographic is only useful if people see and share it. Here’s how to optimize for visibility:

SEO Optimization

• Use Keyword-Rich Titles and Alt Text – For example, instead of “Infographic1.png,” name it “how-to-create-an-infographic.png”.
• Embed on Your Blog – Write a blog post around your infographic and include relevant keywords like “infographic design tips” and “how to make an infographic go viral.”
• Compress Image File Size – Use tools like TinyPNG or Compressor.io to ensure faster page loading.
• Optimization for Web – When uploading to your website, use Lazy Loading and next-generation image formats like WebP or AVIF for faster performance.

Social Media Optimization

• Use the Right Dimensions – Instagram favors 1080x1350px, while Pinterest works best with 1000x1500px.
• Create Multiple Versions – Tailor different sizes for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
• Include a Call-to-Action (CTA) – Encourage viewers to share, download, or visit your website.

Step 7: Distribute and Promote Your Infographic

Where to Share Your Infographic:

• Your Website and Blog – Embed it within related content.
• Social Media Platforms – Post on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
• Portfolio Sites – Distribute on Flicker, Behance, and Dribbble.
• Email Marketing – Include it in newsletters and promotional emails.
• Infographic Directories – Submit to sites like Visual.ly, Infographic Journal, and Infogram.
• Guest Blogging and PR – Offer your infographic to industry websites for backlinks and exposure.

Example: A well-placed infographic on a high-traffic blog can generate thousands of shares and backlinks, improving your site’s SEO.

Step 8: Track Performance and Iterate

Creating an infographic doesn’t stop at publishing—it’s essential to measure its performance and refine your strategy.

Metrics to Track:

• Social Media Shares and Engagement – Check likes, comments, and retweets. Buffer or similar tools can give you deeper analytic reports on social signals.
• Website Traffic – Monitor Google Analytics for referral traffic from your infographic.
• Backlinks – Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to track who’s linking to your infographic.

Pro Tip: If your infographic isn’t performing well, tweak the headline, resize it for better visibility, or promote it through different channels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating an Infographic

Creating an infographic can be a powerful way to present information, but small mistakes can reduce its effectiveness and shareability. Many infographics fail because they’re either too complex, poorly designed, or not optimized for engagement. To ensure your infographic achieves its intended impact, here are the most common mistakes to avoid and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Overloading with Too Much Information

The Problem:

An infographic is meant to simplify information, not overwhelm the reader with excessive text, unnecessary details, or cluttered visuals. Too much information makes it hard to digest, causing users to disengage.

The Solution:

• Focus on one core idea and keep the message concise.
• Use bullet points, short sentences, and clear headers to break down information.
• Stick to one main data story instead of trying to include multiple unrelated statistics.

Example: Instead of listing 20 statistics about digital marketing, focus on “5 Key Digital Marketing Trends for 2025.”

Here is a great example of a simple Infographic: How to optimize your content for voice search infographic

Mistake #2: Poor Design and Visual Clutter

The Problem:

A poorly designed infographic with inconsistent fonts, bad color choices, or too many elements can look unprofessional and difficult to read. A cluttered layout confuses the viewer instead of guiding them through the content.

The Solution:

• Use a clean and simple layout with ample white space.
• Stick to two or three fonts for consistency.
• Limit your color palette to 3-5 complementary colors for a visually appealing design.
• Align text and visuals properly to maintain visual balance.

Example: A “Top 10 Productivity Hacks” infographic should have a clear structure, with numbered points and evenly spaced visuals.

Mistake #3: Using Low-Quality or Irrelevant Images

The Problem:

Blurry, pixelated, or irrelevant images reduce credibility and can make an infographic look amateurish. Generic stock photos also fail to create an impact.

The Solution:

• Use high-quality icons, illustrations, and vectors from sites like Freepik, Flaticon, or The Noun Project.
• If using stock images, choose ones that fit the infographic’s theme and tone.
• Consider custom illustrations for a unique, branded look.

Example: A fitness infographic should feature clear, high-resolution icons of workouts, not generic stock photos of people running.

Mistake #4: Lack of a Clear Visual Hierarchy

The Problem:

If the infographic lacks structure, readers won’t know where to start or how to follow the flow. Without a logical hierarchy, important information gets lost.

The Solution:

• Arrange elements in a logical sequence using headers, subheaders, and bullet points.
• Highlight key statistics with larger fonts or bold colors.
• Use arrows or numbered sections to guide the reader’s eye.

Example: In a “How to Create an Infographic” guide, step-by-step instructions should be clearly numbered to ensure an easy flow.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Mobile Optimization

The Problem:

Over 60% of people view infographics on their mobile devices (Statista). If the design is too wide or contains tiny text, it won’t be readable on smaller screens.

The Solution:

• Design vertically oriented infographics (e.g., 800px by 2000px) that are mobile-friendly.
• Use larger font sizes so that text remains readable even when scaled down.
• Test your infographic on different devices before publishing.

Example: A mobile-friendly timeline infographic should have evenly spaced steps that remain legible on a smartphone.

Mistake #6: Weak or No Call-to-Action (CTA)

The Problem:

A great infographic without a clear next step fails to drive engagement. Many infographics don’t tell the audience what to do next, missing opportunities for social shares or website traffic.

The Solution:

Include a clear CTA, such as:

• “Share this infographic if you found it helpful!”
• “Download the full report here.”
• “Follow us for more insights.”

Place the CTA at the bottom or in a dedicated section so it’s easy to see.

Example: A marketing infographic could end with “Want more content like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly insights.”

Mistake #7: Not Fact-Checking Data and Sources

The Problem:

Misinformation or outdated statistics damage credibility. Many infographics go viral with incorrect data, only to be discredited later.

The Solution:

• Always use reputable sources like government reports, academic research, and industry studies.
• Cite sources at the bottom of the infographic or in the accompanying blog post.
• Double-check dates and figures to ensure accuracy.

Example: Instead of using a random statistic about social media engagement, verify it with research from Pew Research or HubSpot.

Mistake #8: No Promotion or Distribution Strategy

The Problem:

Even the best infographic won’t gain traction if it isn’t properly promoted. Many creators simply post their infographics on a blog and hope people find it.

The Solution:

• Distribute on social media (Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter).
• Submit to infographic directories like Visual.ly, Infographic Journal, and Infogram.
• Reach out to bloggers, influencers, and news sites that might find your infographic valuable.
• Embed it in a blog post optimized for search engines (SEO).

Example: A “Best Remote Work Tools” infographic should be shared in LinkedIn professional groups and emailed to business blogs for potential features.

Conclusion:

Infographics are a powerful tool for communication, marketing, and education. They help break down complex information into engaging, visually appealing content that is easy to understand and share. However, creating an effective infographic requires more than just an attractive design—it needs to be strategically planned, well-researched, and optimized for visibility.

By applying these best practices, you’ll be able to create infographics that not only educate but also engage and drive traffic.