Before you build a house, you need sketches and drawings of what that house is going to look like and how it’s going to be built. Without it, your house will always fall short of expectations due to a lack of direction and guidance.

The same goes for a mobile app — and you can think of these sketches as a wireframe for your end product. 

If you’re wondering where to start with your mobile app idea, a wireframe will always be the first step. Despite the fancy word, you don’t have to be a professional to put a wireframe together. In fact, your wireframe can be the equivalent of a stick figure drawing. 

The important thing is that you get your idea down on paper.

Why does your mobile app need one?

Much like with a house, a wireframe will give your developers proper guidance when building your app. If you were hoping for a smooth development, a wireframe will be the instrument you need to get there. 

Let’s look at the top five reasons your mobile app needs a wireframe:

1.  No more losing track of your ideas

There’s nothing worse than having the greatest mobile app idea just to forget it because you never wrote it down. Whether you’re in the shower, at a restaurant, or at work — we let way too many ideas slip past us with no return.

Many mobile app wireframes start on a napkin or the drawing app on someone’s phone, whatever’s nearest to them when they have the idea. This will then be enhanced onto a piece of paper or by using a special app designed to make wireframes.

2.  Organization is a key to anything

A mobile app wireframe will give you a well-thought plan when bringing it to life. You will face many bumps in the road along the way, but a wireframe will allow you to stay en route at all times. After all, every team needs a solid gameplan if they want to overcome their opponent.

Staying organized with a wireframe will save you valuable time and money — your developers will thank you, as well.

3.  They provide solid promotion material

When you’re planning on developing a mobile app, it’s going to be extremely tough to keep it a secret. You’d be robbing your social media followers by not sharing with them your bright idea, but you normally won’t have any way of promoting it other than the typical “I’ve got an idea!” post. 

Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen those posts and we’ve kept on scrolling. That would be a little different if you had a wireframe to show off that your project is real and in motion.

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4.  Aerial view of how effective your app will be

Ensuring your mobile app will be pleasing to the user will be an ongoing struggle throughout the design and development process. Having a wireframe will give you a constant aerial view of how your app is being laid out. 

If you have an important screen that’s not being properly displayed or is too hard to find, your wireframe will be able to spot it out before you start developing. This will lead to less changes being made down the road.

5.  Added ability to test multiple designs with ease

Whether you’re just starting with the design or are being forced to make some design changes, a wireframe will allow you to make those changes without physically needing to change the app. You’ll be able to test which ones you like before moving forward with a design. 

With a mobile app wireframe, your idea will start to look more like a reality. This will motivate you throughout the process and you’ll be working with developers before you know it. 

On the plus side, you’ll have something to tease your friends, family, and followers with until you’re ready to give them the end product.

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Photo by siminitzki on AdobeStock