Website Wireframe: Definition, Benefits, and How to Create It
The process of creating a website will take quite a long time, until finally you can get the desired website design. Actually, the long process of developing a website can be done faster and easier by creating a Wireframe Website.
This article will explain the meaning of wireframe, benefits, types, components, and how to create it. With a complete and easy-to-understand discussion. Because before starting to create a website, it is advisable to first understand what a wireframe is.
What is a Wireframe Website?
Wireframe is a preliminary design or outline of a website's appearance. It consists of the framework of the website parts to be created. In a wireframe visual design, color choices are not final. You don't even have to prepare the website content, just a rough plan of information with short texts.
Because the purpose of creating a wireframe is to map out what the shape of features like menus, slide bars, and buttons will look like. Also about the positions or where all these features will be placed.
With a wireframe, you can also map out how visitors will be directed while inside the website. Wireframe can be a sketch drawn directly by hand. Or a digital design made using tools.
Starting the website creation process with a wireframe will facilitate the work process and minimize errors. The person in charge of creating the wireframe is usually a UI Designer, who designs the website visually attractive. After the wireframe design is agreed upon, the website creation can proceed to the next stage.
Benefits of Wireframe
There may be people who skip the process of creating a wireframe website. Because the process is considered time-consuming and does not show real progress. However, creating a wireframe will facilitate the future website development process. Here are the benefits of creating a wireframe before designing a website:
Save Time and Cost
Wireframe minimizes errors that may occur when the website design is already 50% or 90% complete. If there are errors or improvements when the website design is almost complete, the process of changing it can take longer and you may need to spend more money.
On the other hand, if changes are made when the website is still in the concept stage, the design can be immediately modified and adjusted according to your needs. This makes the process faster and only minor adjustments are needed when the website is almost complete.
Explaining Website Features Easily
Wireframe will also help you understand the features that will appear on the website. Without a visual design like a wireframe, you will have difficulty understanding the website design plan.
You will find it difficult to grasp the picture conveyed by the website developer team. If they only mention feature names like hero image, header, footer, call to action, action button, and so on. With a wireframe, all parts of the website along with their functions become clearer and easier to understand.
Optimizing User Experience
You must have entered a website with unclear navigation. Then the appearance is also not pleasant to look at. This is because when developing a website, User Experience (UX) is not considered.
One of the advantages of wireframe is prioritizing User Experience (UX). This is because wireframe pays close attention to design appearance, layout, and navigation planning in designing the website.
Facilitating Content Development
Wireframe also makes it easier for you to develop content. After the wireframe outline is completed, you can determine how long the text should be to fit the display design. Including visual content such as photos and videos that need to be prepared.
Types of Wireframe
Wireframe consists of several types. However, generally divided into 3 types based on fidelity or detail differences. There are low, medium, and high fidelity types. Their usage depends on the project needs being carried out. Here is a complete explanation:
Low Fidelity Wireframe
Low fidelity wireframe is the simplest type of wireframe. Usually created directly using paper and pen to create a rough sketch. To show the layout of all menu parts and buttons on the website.
Medium Fidelity Wireframe
Medium fidelity wireframe has a more detailed and accurate representation. Including title text, font size, and buttons. It is usually accompanied by wireflow to show how the website works. This type is created using wireframe tools like Mockflow, Figma, and Mockingbird.
High Fidelity Wireframe
This type of wireframe is much more detailed. Using a more realistic and final website design appearance. Usually created after several revisions.
In High Fidelity Wireframe, typography, colors, icons, images, and Call To Action (CTA) buttons are already visible.
Wireframe Components
When creating a wireframe website, UI Designers will create a framework consisting of several components, namely:
Main Layout
This component is the main part of the website. It consists of important parts such as the header, sidebar, body, and navigation menu. When arranging the wireframe, these parts are generally made in the form of boxes and adjusted in position.
Navigation Components
As the name suggests, navigation components function to guide visitors when exploring the website to find what they are looking for. It can be in the form of symbols or icons. For example, in the form of arrows, buttons, and other signs.
Interface Components
This component is related to how visitors will navigate the website. To make visitors feel comfortable, interaction media is needed by paying attention to font size, logo, title, and buttons.
Information Components
Information components are related to the content inside the website. It can be in the form of paragraph texts, images, videos, thumbnails, links, and inputs. Information components must be made clearly and easily visible when visitors enter the website.
Additional Components
Additional components are parts of the website tailored to the business owner's needs. For example, if the website is created for a restaurant, the additional components are reservation forms, chat services, and others.
How to Create a Wireframe
To create a wireframe to get the desired website appearance, follow the steps below:
Understand the Purpose of Creating the Website
The first step is to understand the purpose of the website you want to develop. What do you want when you get traffic? Do you want visitors to make purchases, download applications, or browse a few pages before leaving the website? This goal must be known by the website developer and your team so that everyone has the same understanding.
Find Website Design References
You can look at other websites running similar businesses or check competitor websites. Look for design references, layouts, and features by doing research. After doing this, you will get inspiration for what kind of website you want to develop.
Use Wireframe Tools
When creating a wireframe website, it is advisable to use specialized tools. So that the design outline looks more realistic and detailed. At the beginning of pouring your ideas, you can sketch the design on paper.
Only after that, process the rough sketch with wireframe tools that are now widely available. For example, Figma, Balsamiq, Mockingbird, and Mockflow.
Arrange the Display Layout
The next step is to arrange the layout for the website display. First, organize the website page by dividing it into several sections or columns. This step is called setting the grid, aiming to make the component arrangement more proportional.
Then, arrange the component layout based on the previous grid setting division. Adjust the size, position, and composition of each component. At this stage, you can discuss with the website development team to get the desired final appearance.
Fill Website Content
After the layout arrangement and composition are completed, the next step is to fill the website content with text and paragraphs. Choose a font that is not too complicated for long texts and bold enough to be readable. Arrange text sizes, which ones will be made larger to highlight the desired message.
Now you know what a wireframe website is and its usefulness in facilitating the website creation process. Because creating a website requires a long process and attention to detail, it is advisable to entrust the process to experienced website developers.
You can create a professional business website with WEBARQ. Starting from visual design, UX Design, and web development all done by experts in their fields. Create a professional website for your business now!
