The Simplest Wireframe Tool

What is a Wireframe?

A wireframe or wireframe sketch is a graphical representation of the layout and design of a website or application. In a way, wire frame is a primitive blueprint of a project. It provides a layout and a structure for how content will be placed on the page. Wireframes are useful because it makes it easy to see what the page will look like before any design work is done.

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Types of Wireframes

Wireframes are a great tool for communicating ideas graphically. They can be a very useful tool in the design process, but they should never be used to replace a high fidelity or interactive prototype.

There are three types of wireframes: low, medium, and high fidelity. Low fidelity wireframes are basically sketches on a piece of paper with very little detail. Medium-fidelity wireframes involve some more detail in their design, while high-fidelity wireframes have all the details you would find in the final product.

Pros and Cons of Using Wireframes

The following are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of wire framing.

Pros

• Save Time and Money: Creating an initial wireframe can save you time and money. Wireframing is an additional step, but it can provide a better understanding of the project, which may reduce the need for extra design work or revisions later on.
• Let Clients Participate Early in the Design Process: Including clients in the design process from the start can be beneficial. Wireframes ensure clients know what designers recommend and why. Wireframes get your client's approval faster.
• Improve the Efficiency of Making Changes: Wireframes allow you to evaluate and create an efficient website or mobile app. If you dive right into designing without considering the website / app structure and user experience, you may find yourself making a lot of adjustments afterward.

Cons

• Additional Step in the Process: Many people assume omitting it will expedite the design stage because this is an extra step.
• Clients become Absorbed in Minute Details: It can be difficult to explain why wireframes are necessary to clients, especially those who are more concerned with the appearance of a website than its functionality. Some clients prefer to look at graphics and branding rather than a basic UI mockup.
• Possible to Make it "Too Designed": If your wireframes are "too designed," that means they are taking up too much time. In practice, they should only be there to assist you in mapping out the very basic structure of your project.

About ZenFrame

ZenFrame is the simplest online software to create wireframes of mobile apps, websites, or any projects that need UI planning. With +58 pre-made components in our wireframe tools, users can simply drag and drop to compose a mobile wireframe or website mockup in just minutes.

What is Low-Fidelity Wireframe?

A low-fidelity wireframe, or lo-fi wireframe, is a quick and rough visual representation of a product. It’s a sketch of the layout of a website, app, or other project that reflects the general content and structure but not the details.

At ZenFrame, we believe that low-fidelity wire frames is the best solution for that initial stage of drafting and planning your project. Fast, succinct, yet powerful. With low-fidelity wireframes, you spend less time fussing about what the font should look like and more time thinking about how to get your message across.

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5-Step Guide to Create a Wireframe

Step 1: Get to Know Your Wireframe Tool
You can create a wireframe with nothing more than a pen and paper. But for optimal efficiency, use an online wireframe software that allows you to create wireframes quickly.

Step 2: Create a User Persona
In order to create a UX-focused wireframe, you need to know who the website should appeal to and how your client wants people to behave when they first visit. After all, not all internet users will behave the same way; thus, you must develop a layout that caters to your target audience.

Step 3: Create A User Flow
Design the visitor flow from the moment they arrive at your site to when they convert.

Step 4: Make a Wireframe Design
The wireframe is the skeleton of your design. A low-fidelity wireframe will include components such as headers, text, buttons, image placeholder, and other basic components. Aim to provide just enough information so you don’t spend too much time and get lost in the details. Consider using comments or labels to elaborate on your thoughts and design intentions.

Step 5: Test the Wireframe
Walk through the user flow with the wireframe in different configurations to design something that works in practice. Hold meetings with your team for feedback and if necessary, do additional research with focus groups on how it would feel as a first-time user of your software.