There are hundreds of reasons in a busy life of a web application developer to sidestep wireframing. Who has time or energy to think about prototypes when there is so much to focus on in the early stages of project development? However, what looks like a needless extra in the planning process can in fact have a major impact on how effectively you will manage to deliver the final product. In case you are tempted to overlook wireframing in your web application development again, here are ten solid reasons why it is a good idea to include prototyping in your schedule.
1. Visualize
Wireframing is a simple and effective way to visualize your web application or a website well before you will be able to see the final product. This means having a reasonable picture of where you are going for your team and for your client.
2. Concentrate
Prototypes are sketchy and simple by definition, but even having a crude idea of how each application segment or web page will work provides a basis to concentrate on details, functionality or problem areas. It is a great planning tool whose benefits are felt well into project development and deployment.
3. Early change
Many clients are quick to introduce changes throughout the development process. To safeguard against this happening to late, you can fall back on prototypes for design stage modifications. It is better to let clients be generous with their opinions now, when it is easy to implement them, then later.
4. Solid ground
Getting your client agree on a wireframe is strong foundation for further development. It is much more difficult to criticize or change something that you placed your accepting signature under.
5. Test
Wireframing can be a great testing ground for an app or a website before it dons visual elements and other elements irrelevant to its core operation.
6. Control
Having a prototype has been shown to prevent uncontrolled changes in a project’s scope. Consider wireframing if you do not what to invite focus creep.
7. Communicate outside
There is nothing better for fostering communication between developers and clients than some concrete solutions they can base their discussions on.
8. Communicate inside
With a wireframe in place, there is ample information for designers and content creators about their work further down the road. It allows to make the entire development process run seamlessly.
9. Little time, lots of impact
Most wireframing programs are easy to use and very functional. With very little time at hand and surprisingly little energy, you can create or modify prototypes for lasting, high impact.
10. Core focus
Web application or website prototypes have a crude, wire-and-box structure that enables creators and clients to push aside distractions, focusing on core issues.
I have used Mockup Builder, quite nice tool for creating web design wireframes.
I think you may also add this prototype to this article: http://mockupbuilder.com