A wireframe is the primitive skeleton of your website. It's not glamorous or cutting edge, but it holds everything together. Without that skeletal structure, even the best-looking website is nothing more than a blob of cyber-goo, impossible to navigate through.
Designers too often begin with an exact idea of the end product (because making a cool-looking site is fun!), but a good website must be built on the proper framework. And a good tool to understand the website framework is a wireframe, which is why many designers and UX pros begin their website design process with a wireframe. The wireframing stage generally focuses on
- Page layout
- Interface elements
- Navigational systems
- Functionality
Prototyping is an essential part of the UI design process, and that's always good to have a simple and effective tool for it. Mockplus is designer-friendly and easy to use. What's really helpful, it offers the all-platform functionality to prototype for web and mobile. Commonly used interface elements and multiple templates are nigh at hand. Justinmind is an all-in-one prototyping tool for web and mobile apps that helps you build wireframes to highly interactive prototypes without any coding. Justinmind lets you design from scratch and leverage a full range of web interactions and mobile gestures, so you can focus on building exceptional user experiences.
- HotGloo is a UX, prototyping tool which helps you to design wireframes for web, mobile, and wearables devices. It allows to visualize planning processes, build and test drive interactions. Features: Allows you to create and share fully interactive prototypes; The tool has been designed with a low learning curve in mind.
- And you can test your prototype on a multitude of screens, including Apple Watch. Of course, no prototyping tool is worth discussing if it doesn't include collaboration.
Why should I test my wireframes?
Your designers and programmers are probably eager to bring your wireframe to life. But if you value them (and your customers), you need to hold them back for a little while. Why? Because you don't want to waste time and effort. Frank Lloyd Wright makes the point well: 'You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledgehammer on the construction site.' If you want to deliver the best product in the shortest amount of time, the wireframing stage is one of your most valuable stages for usability testing. So what would you actually test when users can see only a skeleton of your site or app? Plenty.
What should I ask users when they're testing my wireframe?
Since wireframes focus primarily on navigation and layout, develop tasks that help you analyze these elements of your site.
- Where would you find [x]? (test items from different navigation areas, such as top-level items, second-level items, header and footer items, etc.)
- If you could move one element on this page, what would you move, and where?
- What is this site about?
- What would you like to see differently?
- Think of 3 things you'd want to find on this page, and find them. Which was the most difficult to find?
- What features are missing?
- Perform A/B testing of image placement.
Sample wireframing tools
There are a number of different tools for wireframing that range from simple chart and diagramming software to programs with extensive widget and component libraries.
Here are some of the most popular programs to choose from:
Axure
Axure is a desktop app that runs on Windows and Mac. It has an impressive array of features as well as a complimentary cloud prototyping service.
Balsamiq
Balsamiq is the classic wireframing tool. It is a firm believer in the 'rough sketch' nature of wireframing. Online and offline versions available.
Cacoo
Cacoo is a user friendly online drawing tool that allows you to create a variety of diagrams such as site maps, wireframes, UML and network charts.
FlairBuilder
FlairBuilder is a program that begins with wireframes and lets you incorporate rich prototype features in later phases.
Gliffy
Gliffy is specifically a web-based diagram editor. It is primarily used for flowcharts, networks and floor plans, but can also be used for basic wireframing.
HotGloo
Hot Gloo's straightforward interface and ease of use make it a great option for beginning the wireframe process and a fantastic introductory tool.
iPlotz
iPlotz specifically focuses on website wireframing. It is not a generic flowchart program. If you're looking to do a simple wireframe for your site, that's their game.
LovelyCharts
Lovely Charts is an online diagramming application that allows you to create professional looking diagrams, such as flowcharts, sitemaps and organization charts.
LucidChart
Make a flow chart, org chart, mind map, network diagram, UML diagram, wireframe and other drawings online with Lucidchart's free flow chart creator.
MockFlow
Mockflow is an online wireframing tool for software and websites. It provides a collection of collaborative web services for creative designers and usability experts.
Mockingbird
Mockingbird is an online tool that makes it easy for you to create, link together, preview, and share mockups of your website or application.
MockupBuilder
MockupBuilder helps you quickly get your ideas on screen. Cloudtv 3 9 1. It is a FREE Silverlight powered web app.
MockupTiger
MockupTiger is easy. It has drag and drop features and vector widgets and icons so you can customize them on your own.
OmniGraffle
At the root of OmniGraffle are stencils. Create wireframes, flowcharts and mobile apps. You can also download a number of additional stencil packs.
Pencil Project
Web Prototyping Tool
Pencil Project is free and easy to learn. It can run as a Firefox add-on or on its own.
PowerMockup
PowerMockup enables you to turn PowerPoint into a website wireframe tool. There are a number of templates available for download.
Simulify
Simulify is extremely basic, quick and easy. It runs in editor and preview mode.
Wireframe Sketcher
Wireframe Sketcher is for conceptual design. It has limited hyperlink interactivity.
User testing your wireframes
Once your wireframe is ready, post a link to it on UserTesting where you can:
- Customize the demographics of your test group.
- Create specific test questions and tasks for each user to complete.
- Assign specific written questions for each user to answer.
What do you get out of it?
- A video of each user's screen testing your wireframe.
- Audio of the user talking through how he completes the tasks.
- Valuable feedback about how to improve your website.
- A website that everyday people can use easily!
View our infographic on wireframing, protoyping, and simulating tools.
A wireframe is the primitive skeleton of your website. It's not glamorous or cutting edge, but it holds everything together. Without that skeletal structure, even the best-looking website is nothing more than a blob of cyber-goo, impossible to navigate through.
Designers too often begin with an exact idea of the end product (because making a cool-looking site is fun!), but a good website must be built on the proper framework. And a good tool to understand the website framework is a wireframe, which is why many designers and UX pros begin their website design process with a wireframe. The wireframing stage generally focuses on
- Page layout
- Interface elements
- Navigational systems
- Functionality
Why should I test my wireframes?
Your designers and programmers are probably eager to bring your wireframe to life. But if you value them (and your customers), you need to hold them back for a little while. Why? Because you don't want to waste time and effort. Frank Lloyd Wright makes the point well: 'You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledgehammer on the construction site.' If you want to deliver the best product in the shortest amount of time, the wireframing stage is one of your most valuable stages for usability testing. So what would you actually test when users can see only a skeleton of your site or app? Plenty.
What should I ask users when they're testing my wireframe?
Corelcad 2020 04. Since wireframes focus primarily on navigation and layout, develop tasks that help you analyze these elements of your site.
- Where would you find [x]? (test items from different navigation areas, such as top-level items, second-level items, header and footer items, etc.)
- If you could move one element on this page, what would you move, and where?
- What is this site about?
- What would you like to see differently?
- Think of 3 things you'd want to find on this page, and find them. Which was the most difficult to find?
- What features are missing?
- Perform A/B testing of image placement.
Sample wireframing tools
There are a number of different tools for wireframing that range from simple chart and diagramming software to programs with extensive widget and component libraries.
Here are some of the most popular programs to choose from:
Axure
Axure is a desktop app that runs on Windows and Mac. It has an impressive array of features as well as a complimentary cloud prototyping service.
Balsamiq
Balsamiq is the classic wireframing tool. It is a firm believer in the 'rough sketch' nature of wireframing. Online and offline versions available.
Cacoo
Cacoo is a user friendly online drawing tool that allows you to create a variety of diagrams such as site maps, wireframes, UML and network charts.
FlairBuilder
FlairBuilder is a program that begins with wireframes and lets you incorporate rich prototype features in later phases.
Gliffy
Gliffy is specifically a web-based diagram editor. It is primarily used for flowcharts, networks and floor plans, but can also be used for basic wireframing.
HotGloo
Hot Gloo's straightforward interface and ease of use make it a great option for beginning the wireframe process and a fantastic introductory tool.
iPlotz
Free Prototyping Tools
iPlotz specifically focuses on website wireframing. It is not a generic flowchart program. If you're looking to do a simple wireframe for your site, that's their game.
LovelyCharts
Lovely Charts is an online diagramming application that allows you to create professional looking diagrams, such as flowcharts, sitemaps and organization charts.
LucidChart
Make a flow chart, org chart, mind map, network diagram, UML diagram, wireframe and other drawings online with Lucidchart's free flow chart creator.
MockFlow
Mockflow is an online wireframing tool for software and websites. It provides a collection of collaborative web services for creative designers and usability experts.
Mockingbird
Mockingbird is an online tool that makes it easy for you to create, link together, preview, and share mockups of your website or application.
There are a number of different tools for wireframing that range from simple chart and diagramming software to programs with extensive widget and component libraries.
Here are some of the most popular programs to choose from:
Axure
Axure is a desktop app that runs on Windows and Mac. It has an impressive array of features as well as a complimentary cloud prototyping service.
Balsamiq
Balsamiq is the classic wireframing tool. It is a firm believer in the 'rough sketch' nature of wireframing. Online and offline versions available.
Cacoo
Cacoo is a user friendly online drawing tool that allows you to create a variety of diagrams such as site maps, wireframes, UML and network charts.
FlairBuilder
FlairBuilder is a program that begins with wireframes and lets you incorporate rich prototype features in later phases.
Gliffy
Gliffy is specifically a web-based diagram editor. It is primarily used for flowcharts, networks and floor plans, but can also be used for basic wireframing.
HotGloo
Hot Gloo's straightforward interface and ease of use make it a great option for beginning the wireframe process and a fantastic introductory tool.
iPlotz
Free Prototyping Tools
iPlotz specifically focuses on website wireframing. It is not a generic flowchart program. If you're looking to do a simple wireframe for your site, that's their game.
LovelyCharts
Lovely Charts is an online diagramming application that allows you to create professional looking diagrams, such as flowcharts, sitemaps and organization charts.
LucidChart
Make a flow chart, org chart, mind map, network diagram, UML diagram, wireframe and other drawings online with Lucidchart's free flow chart creator.
MockFlow
Mockflow is an online wireframing tool for software and websites. It provides a collection of collaborative web services for creative designers and usability experts.
Mockingbird
Mockingbird is an online tool that makes it easy for you to create, link together, preview, and share mockups of your website or application.
MockupBuilder
MockupBuilder helps you quickly get your ideas on screen. It is a FREE Silverlight powered web app.
MockupTiger
MockupTiger is easy. It has drag and drop features and vector widgets and icons so you can customize them on your own.
OmniGraffle
At the root of OmniGraffle are stencils. Create wireframes, flowcharts and mobile apps. You can also download a number of additional stencil packs.
Pencil Project
Pencil Project is free and easy to learn. It can run as a Firefox add-on or on its own.
PowerMockup
PowerMockup enables you to turn PowerPoint into a website wireframe tool. There are a number of templates available for download.
Simulify
Simulify is extremely basic, quick and easy. It runs in editor and preview mode.
Wireframe Sketcher
Wireframe Sketcher is for conceptual design. It has limited hyperlink interactivity.
User testing your wireframes
Once your wireframe is ready, post a link to it on UserTesting where you can:
- Customize the demographics of your test group.
- Create specific test questions and tasks for each user to complete.
- Assign specific written questions for each user to answer.
What do you get out of it?
- A video of each user's screen testing your wireframe.
- Audio of the user talking through how he completes the tasks.
- Valuable feedback about how to improve your website.
- A website that everyday people can use easily!
View our infographic on wireframing, protoyping, and simulating tools.
