Wireframing in Web Design

While working on developing a website, it might be suggested that wireframing stage is skipped and the team jumps right into the design itself. Why can someone come up with such an idea? Probably, that’s because they think that it’s too complicated for a client to understand what a wireframe is. Another reason might be that they consider wireframing a waste of time, and that skipping this phase will allow to get closer to the go live date. But, whatever the reason, the suggestion is entirely wrong.

What is wireframing?

First of all, it’s necessary to define what a wireframe is. Wireframing is the process of creating a layout of a web page, or, in simple terms, building a structural skeleton of a future website. Wireframes usually lack colors, images, font choices and other design details that will be featured on the website page. This is done in order to focus on the size and location of the page elements and then adjust their design to the carcass requirements. Well, before buying a new refrigerator and choosing the one of a specific color and the number of shelves, you think whether it will fit into your kitchen, don’t you? It works the same way with a website.

Why is wireframing important in web design?

Wireframing is a crucial element of website development, and as such it takes place at the early stage of the process. Let’s figure out why.

• Wireframing focuses on the elements of the site architecture. Though sitemaps serve the same purpose, they are too abstract. Meanwhile, wireframing displays more clearly how a specific feature functions, and thus doesn’t let you get sidetracked by visual distractions.

• Wireframing ensures compliance with the client’s requirements. It’s easy to get carried away by the graphical design and miss out some important issues that will come up anyway in the end. Wireframing is a great way to get the customer’s feedback as early as possible, which helps designers understand aesthetic and functional preferences of the client.

• Wireframes uncover usability problems. At this stage, you look objectively at the placement of features, ease of navigation, and conversion paths, which helps you spot potential usability issues that might influence the whole project.

All of this streamlines web design allowing to get the processes calculated and clarify content creation. Wireframing helps both the development team and the client to see a big picture of the future app.

Need more details about web design? Check out the Iflexion website. Since its establishment in 1999, the company has grown into a team of skilled web designers and software engineers that deliver cutting edge IT solutions.