Wireframing: Why You Need It for Web and Mobile App Development

Wireframing refers to a diagram with the visual representation of a future web page or app project. Before developing a layout, an initial scheme must be created in which the final vision is shown with what is expected of this project.

It is one of the initial phases of digital projects and is used to verify errors or possible aspects to improve on web pages or mobile apps. In a nutshell, wireframing refers to creating an auxiliary guide to successfully layout a web page.

It is useful both when you are starting the project and when you are going to make different changes in the future. Wireframing represents the importance of clear ideas before execution.

Importance of Wireframing in the digital world

The digital world has been growing more and more and that has generated a lot of work for web and app developers. Right at the moment when a deal with the client is closed, the best way to create your digital identity is through the wireframe.

Wireframing allows you to show ideas to your client so together you can turn all the ideas into reality without having so many failed attempts before. Altering an outline is much easier than making changes to a site that is already finished. Wireframe, beyond being an initial phase for a project, is also a space to allow the client to participate in the project stages.

Digital projects with wireframing tend to have a higher success rate compared to those without. This phase allows the initial experiment to be validated and also allows all those involved to use all their time more efficiently.

What can Wireframing offer you?

Making a wireframe as a first step in website development means creating something more tangible and easy for everyone else to understand. Sometimes, capturing our ideas in a wireframe guarantees the success of the project. A wireframe has several benefits:

• They guarantee that the website/app is developed according to the proposed objectives and ideas. Seeing the features captured in a draft means that everyone can further optimize the project. The creation of wireframes generates realistic expectations about the future functions of the website or app, the placement of buttons, the ease of use, the intuitiveness of the interface. Also, if something doesn't align with the goals, it can be removed.
• Future Evaluation: Web pages tend to be successful soon, so the website must be prepared for this growth. Both the design and the ease and intuitiveness of the system must be prepared for the impact of growth. Wireframes reveal growth opportunities for the content of each project, so you should always look to the future to create a good platform.
• Ease of Use: Today's users seek simplicity above anything else. Websites and apps rely on wireframing for a dynamic and easy-to-use interface. Creating a good diagram takes an objective look at links, conversion paths, and also navigation and load time. If you do a good job, they will be able to see how well the web page or app flows from the user's perspective.
• Early Interaction: During wireframing, it is very easy to receive good feedback. The reason is that the full functionality, the creative elements, and their arrangement become factors that are addressed separately. This way, stakeholders can individually narrow down everything to those areas and you won't have to completely edit the entire project at the end. You can do everything in advance and solve the requirements on time.

Impact of Wireframing in the development of apps and websites

Thanks to the wireframe each person can be located within the development of the website in the early phases of the project. This generates a great advantage for the team and guarantees a greater success of all the work.

The point of getting everyone on the same page is that designs can be more carefully calibrated. The design team has a great understanding of everything that is being done since the wireframe gives them that much-needed guide to continue working. Also, content creation flows better and large last-minute modifications to final projects are avoided.

Wireframe saves time and money by streamlining and making better use of available resources. The development team can focus on their work calmly and without having so many doubts.

Find your favorite wireframe type

There are different types of wireframes that you can use. You can create them with digital tools and even take advantage of different resources that you have nearby.

There are 3 main types of wireframes.

1. Low Fidelity: It is a simple model and is made entirely by hand. If you have little time, you can make use of this wireframe since you will not spend hours adding colors and the details that it takes are minimal.
2. Annotated: This is a medium-quality wireframe. It is used for projects that have a longer time to work, so they have organized visual elements, more accurately simulate the web page. Annotations or subtitles can also be added to make the presentation more understandable.
3. High Fidelity: It could be said that it is the closest version to the final product. It's normal to create a high-fidelity wireframe using software that allows interactions with page features. Its objective is to realistically show the structure of the final product.

Wireframe and information architecture

Information architecture plays an important role within the wireframe and the overall design of the entire website or app. Within the wireframe, the aim is to give priority to the location of the information so that the web page or mobile application is understandable for everyone. Four elements must be taken into account:

• Labeling system: To represent the information
• Navigation System: For the information to scroll correctly
• Search system: that makes it easy to find everything on the web
• Structure and organizational schemes that allow information to be classified.

Wireframing is a good opportunity to generate a guide to create a better web page or app. When will you start with yours?

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