What is a wireframe?

Wireframing is a key element to any web design process. Wireframes are introduced early on when designing a site to establish structure and layout functionality. Think of it as the foundation of any strongly built website.

For any foundation to be successful, it must be architecturally sound. Wireframing is the process used to visually display a site’s architecture to a client. No specified fonts, colors, images, or content will be displayed during this stage – essentially, a wireframe has not been introduced to style. Instead, it provides the anticipated layout for all of these elements.

Why is wireframing important?

Wireframes prioritize content layout and provide a two-dimensional skeletal framework of the clients site. This process comes before designing and coding (and is open for review with the client)! Clients may either approve or collaborate with the team to implement necessary tweaks or changes. Once a strong wireframe is established and approved, it pre-determines the layout of the site and allows for the following web-design steps to come. Basically, wireframing allows the team to prep efficiently while providing a visual guideline for the client. 

What does our process look like? 

We implement wireframes on a client need basis. If clients have a hard time visualizing or conceptualizing the layout of their interior pages, wireframes are provided before the design phase begins. We encourage clients to have a content outline prepared to help guide wireframes. This content shows us the type of information (and its importance) to be featured on their site. As shown in the image above, there will be designated areas provided where images and text will go. Essentially, the wireframes we provide show an overview of the clients pages to come.

Looking to learn more about our process? Check out our other web design blogs.