Table of Contents
What is the purpose of wireframing?
Wireframing is supposed to create an initial example of how an app or website’s layout will look. If you’ve ever seen the blueprint for a building, wireframes work similarly for websites. Companies use wireframing so that everyone knows which direction they should head in with their site or app design.
After a wireframe is created, those involved in the project will look at potential areas for improvement. Once the wireframe is in place, teams often start designing prototypes.
Test and iterate: Test different wireframes and get feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Only once you have done this should you then move further down the web design funnel.
What’s the difference between a wireframe and a prototype?
Wireframes are a still example of a site’s layout; prototypes tend to be more fluid and show how a user would interact with the app or website.
Prototypes are used closer to the launch phase than wireframes. Rather than outlining the basic details, businesses utilize prototypes to identify UX gaps.
What’s included in a wireframe?
You’ll normally see these components in a wireframe:
- Layout: Wireframes show where text, visuals, headers, footers, navigation menus, and logos will appear on a website or app.
- Navigation: Wireframes should show how users would navigate through a site or app’s sections.
- Content placement: Designers must show where content, such as text and graphics, will appear on a page.
- Functionality: Buttons, links, forms, and widgets should appear in a wireframe.
How do I make a wireframe?
It is possible to make wireframes using a pen and paper, which might be something to consider for very early-stage designs. However, if you’re doing a bigger website rebrand, you should look at software designed specifically for creating wireframes. You’ll also need to think about how professional your wireframes should look, and which features (e.g. collaboration) you might need.
Choose the right tool: Free and paid wireframing options exist, and you should research based on costs and features. If possible, use a free trial.
What are the different types of wireframes?
You usually see three wireframe types:
- Low-fidelity: Basic sketches.
- Mid-fidelity: More detailed than basic sketches, but still not the final product.
- High-fidelity: Almost what is expected of the final website or app design.
Don’t overcomplicate things: Build out from simple sketches rather than starting big and trying to reduce complexities.
How important is wireframing in UX?
Wireframe is the prerequisite to prototypes and final designs. Teams should use it to ensure that their sites and apps are easy to navigate; skipping to website prototypes will likely harm the user experience.
Companies should also use wireframes to understand the journey of their users and note where problems might exist.
Gather feedback: Get feedback from your target audience and ask for suggestions.
What are the benefits of wireframes?
Reasons that teams use wireframes include:
Saving time and money: Businesses should use wireframes to identify problems early before they invest more time and money into the project.
Getting valuable feedback early on: Potential customers and project stakeholders should offer tips on how the site or app could be improved.
Prioritizing features: When using wireframes, you should consider which aspects are the most important and make these clearer.
Bridging the gap between design and development: Wireframes are a map designers to follow for the web/app design campaign, and they should follow this layout when making prototypes and the final version.
How does wireframing improve the web design process?
Here are some of the reasons why you need to have wireframing in your design process:
Encouraging collaboration: Everyone on the project (designers, developers, etc.) should talk about the wireframe and provide ideas on what needs to be included. Getting user feedback and considering what customers have to say is one part of this.
Providing a visual roadmap: Developers and designers should use wireframes for latter parts of their project.
Helping to identify and resolve potential issues early on: Use wireframes to look for potential UX bottlenecks and make the necessary tweaks.
Where can I find wireframing tools and resources?
You should look for a range of free and paid wireframing tools. Here are some:
- Figma: Real-time editing and feedback between project stakeholders; Adobe tried to buy Figma in 2023, but this didn’t happen and Figma remains independent.
- Sketch: Vector-based wireframes.
- Balsamiq: Wireframe design and visualization.
- Adobe XD: Adobe’s flagship wireframing tool with lots of features, but requires a learning curve.
Take advantage of resources: Look at content on YouTube and blogs, and consider taking online courses.
Are there any common mistakes to avoid when wireframing?
Yes – you should avoid all of these:
Skipping the wireframing stage altogether: Complete the wireframing process before moving on to prototypes so that the project runs more smoothly.
Getting too detailed too early: Wireframes are only a framework; add visuals, text, etc. in your prototype.
Not getting feedback from team: Get feedback from everyone involved in the project and share your designs.
Not iterating on the wireframes: Test and iterate your wireframes, and consider what your team and your target audience thinks could be improved.
Conclusion
Teams should use wireframes when developing websites, and you need to create these before doing anything else. Show where you want elements to appear in your wireframe layouts, and seek feedback from your target audience. Think about whether you need an online tool, or if a pen and paper will work. Take this guide’s tips into account and start your first wireframe; note that it isn’t going to be perfect to begin with.
