Get Wired on Wireframes

Image by: Tommy Humphreys

Obey the adage 'Measure twice, cut once.'

Save time and money in Web design with do-it-yourself wireframes.

A wireframe is a basic visual guide that shows the intended content structure of a website and the relationships between its pages. Done right, a wireframe will successfuly guide both client and agency during a website redesign project.

Typically, wireframes are made by agencies, and not by clients, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Sure, a web designer has expertise, but you'll avoid unnecessary and costly back and forth if you show up at your agency with a draft of your wireframes ready for discussion.

There have been times when I've shut down a client's wireframe for being overly ambitious or impractical, but that's a good thing. At least we're having that discussion before the meter is running.

Here are some tips for making your own wireframes:

Sketch It Out

With GoMockingbird.com, you can create a perfectly adequate wireframe without experience in just a few mouse clicks. Task your most enthusiastic consultants or employees with this project and let them indulge their creativity. Then discuss and refine it together before seeking outside advice.

Keep It Simple

Wireframes allow you to decide what to build before sinking resources into a project. By allowing you to try various options, do-it-yourself wireframing avoids the expensive revisioning between you and your agency near the the end of a website project.  The net result should be savings in your pocket.

Don't Reinvent The Wheel

There are millions of websites out there that can act as your guide. So, it would be very ambitious and maybe just a little arrogant to think you can create your own brand new design. Find a site you like and use it as a guide for your own wireframe.

Collaborate

Since wireframes visually describe the requirements of a project, they provide an easy way for members of your team to understand and collaborate on it. No email or phone call can match the educational and collaborative power of a visual. Neither can abstract email or phone calls explain as well the visual and interactive nature of a website.

I've noticed that nine out of ten times, wireframes get executives excited. That's probably because a wireframe is more than simply conceptual, and so looks more "real". So don't just whine to your boss that your corporate website sucks, and you need a new one. Executives see website redesigns as an expense that can be put off.

Be the hero and raise your office cred by creating your own wireframe and starting the process. The worst thing that can happen is the boss says no. More than likely, however, with a visual there as a guide, he or she might actually start considering the project.

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