Wireframes and mockups are a lot alike, but they have their own respective significance when it comes to the website designing process. It is similar to comparing the services of various providers for your home while you are contemplating getting Cox packages. Each has the same thing, i.e., offering cable service but are different in so many ways like quality and cost. If you are an aspiring website developer, then the chances are that you already know about wireframes and mockups. But if not and are confused about which one to go for, then continue reading this article, and by the end of it, you will have your answer!
What Is Wireframe
Wireframes are blueprints or bare bones of your website. It is presented with placeholders before the final content is added when the design process commences. Wireframes are there to help the designers know what goes where on the site. This way, the designers have one less problem to worry about.
Reasons to Go with Wireframe
Now that you know what a wireframe is, let’s look at some of the reasons you should consider going with it.
#1. Helps Visualize the Layout of a Site
A wireframe helps you know how the website will look when it is ready. You will be able to visualize the layout way before. This will give you the chance to make any changes if you want before you go live. Also, this saves one from reading the specifications from a document. Hence, saving one from getting confused and doing the job wrong. Even if not much effort is put into wireframes, you will still be able to figure out how your website will look before launch. Also, it can help you become more organized. However, do keep in mind that a wireframe is used just to help you know about the layout of the site. It does not include typography or color.
#2. Establish Trust with Stakeholders and Users
When users visit your site, it is important that you guide them by using colors or other breadcrumbs. While creating wireframes, you will have the advantage of constructing the layout of the website according to the type of people you think will be visiting it. This will make sure that the users are not lost or confused when they are on the site and can easily navigate through your site. In addition, if you are working for a client, then it is a good idea to show them the wireframe. This is because it will help them define specifications. And you will be able to build the site according to their expectation.
#3. Saves Time
When you are constructing the wireframe, you will have a clear image in mind of how the website is going to turn out to be. Also, it doesn’t take much time to build them. All you need is a professional tool that can save you a lot of time in the development process. Moreover, if you have an online wireframe, then people can share it easily with one another and can suggest how if they find it fine or want changes. Wireframes are usually made to save time. And when everything is sorted, it takes fewer resources and cheaper technology to build the final product.
Why Not Go for Wireframes
Wireframes are great and all, but there are some problems associated with them as well. The Product VP of Justinmind, Victor Consea stated wireframes cannot always give you the important design components. For instance, the Iorem Ipsum text and grey boxes can’t tell how contrasts and color influence content. Also, you will not be able to know how these two can affect the visual impact of brand design.
What Are Mockups?
A mockup is similar to wireframe, but it is static. The only difference is that it is a high-profile draft that vividly represents the structure and visualization of content. Also, it demonstrates the functionalities but in a static way. Mockups can provide great details including typography, and colors. They are used to let the viewer know how the website will look and feel.
Reasons to Go with Mockups
Why should you opt for mockups over wireframes? Well, here are some reasons that will answer the question.
#1. Uncover Problems with Visual Elements
Mockups can save your website from having visual troubles. If you undergo this process, you will be able to figure out the problems with visual elements which you can immediately fix. It will let you know if the font and color are on point or you need to do more work on it.
#2. Transform the Ideas into a Stakeholder Language
It is always a good idea if you show a digital mockup to your client. This will give an opportunity to the stakeholder to review the visual side of the website, which is not possible in wireframes. Also, it will be easier for them to know what they want to change or alter, allowing you to work on it before you complete the project.
#3. Ideas Are Communicated Easily Among Members of the Team
Not only does mockup helps stakeholders understand the website better, but it also helps the design team to communicate better. The team members can see how well they are working on the project and what further improvements need to be made.
Why Not Go for Mockups
The reason why many people do not opt for mockups is that it requires a lot of time and effort to create them. And then, when it is ready, stakeholders usually point out errors, causing the developers to start all over again.
Conclusion
Wireframes and Mockups can help make a developer’s life easy, but they often wonder which one to go for. Well, it really depends on the type of project. If you think that what you are working on requires high involvement from the client, then it is preferred to go with wireframes. This way, you won’t be needing to put too much effort into creating mockups only to take it apart again. You can construct the wireframe with them and make sure that they are happy with what you have to offer. However, if the project doesn’t require much involvement, then try presenting them with mockups so they may see how the final product will look when it is completed.