What is Wireframe?
TL;DR
A wireframe is a simple, black-and-white sketch of a website or app layout that shows structure and functionality without design details.
Example
What a wireframe shows:
- Page layout and structure
- Where content goes
- Navigation placement
- Button and form locations
- User flow between screens
What a wireframe doesn't show:
- Colors
- Images
- Actual text content
- Final styling
- Brand elements
Wireframe example:
+---------------------------+
| [Logo] [Nav] [Nav] [☰] |
+---------------------------+
| |
| [Hero Image Area] |
| |
| [Headline placeholder] |
| [Subheadline text here] |
| |
| [CTA Button] |
+---------------------------+
Just boxes and labels. No design.
Explanation
Types of Wireframes
Low-fidelity (lo-fi): Hand-drawn or very simple digital. Quick to create, good for early ideas. Boxes and lines only.
Mid-fidelity: More detailed, digital. Shows actual element sizes. Basic hierarchy visible.
High-fidelity (hi-fi): Very detailed, close to final. Real proportions and spacing. May include some placeholder content.
Wireframing Tools
- Simple: Pen and paper, Balsamiq
- Intermediate: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD
- Collaborative: Miro, FigJam
Wireframe Process
- Define user goals and flows
- Sketch rough layout options
- Select best approach
- Refine into detailed wireframes
- Get stakeholder feedback
- Move to visual design
Why It Matters
For Business Owners
Wireframes save money. It's cheap to move boxes around. Expensive to redesign coded websites. Catch problems early.
Wireframes focus on function. Without colors and images, everyone focuses on: Does this layout work? Is the flow logical?
Wireframes enable collaboration. Non-designers can understand and give feedback on wireframes. Lower barrier to input.
Wireframes are not the final product. They're a planning tool. Don't judge the final look from wireframes.
What to Look For in Wireframes
- Does the user flow make sense?
- Can users find what they need?
- Are the most important elements prominent?
- Is anything missing or unnecessary?
- Does it match your business goals?
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