Mobile applications are used widely by businesses today to improve customer experience and optimise business operations. However, mobile application development is not a simple task. There are various factors and elements that come into play when developing apps and these play a vital role in the functions of the mobile app.

Various tools are used in iOS and Android app development, taking into consideration the unique requirements of the platforms. A wireframe is one such tool and it is used for development services at the initial level of app development.

What is a wireframe?

Wireframes can be described as one of the most significant steps in UI/UX design as it is a visual representation of the elements and features of the mobile app. It is the outline of the app with initial design elements and proceeds app development.

With wireframes, the developer can start with a simple black and white layout and add sketches of the page elements and features as well as navigation taking into account size and placement. This is a great way for developers to get an idea of what the app will look like before designing elements like shading, fonts, and colour are added to it.

Creating a wireframe

One of the initial stages of Android or iOS app development is creating a wireframe and it is safe to say that there are no hard and fast rules about creating one. This does not mean that just about anyone can create one as there are key features or elements that must be taken into consideration.

One of the main things to consider when creating a wireframe is important interface elements like the header, footer, sidebar and content. A developer would check which elements should be displayed on each page and provide information on these elements so they can be visualised.

In addition to these interface elements, there are further elements that a mobile app may require. This includes a search field, tabs, navigation, interactive elements and illustrations. These must also be placed in your wireframe.

However, there is no need to go into all the details, especially if you use the wireframe as a guide for yourself. However, a more formal tone can be used if the wireframe will serve as reference for the rest of the team working on the project or if the client will be seeing the wireframe.

Types of wireframes

The key elements in a wireframe depend on the type of design, which could be an information design, navigation design or interface design. The type of design depends on the purpose of the mobile app.

There are two main types of wireframes; Low fidelity and high fidelity. Low fidelity is a simple black and white abstract wireframe, with only surfaces, lines and mainly dummy content. Low fidelity wireframes are quick and easy to set up.

High fidelity wireframes, on the other hand, go into more detail and include elements like headlines, button texts, and body text. A high fidelity wireframe may also include colour, logos, and illustrations.

Advantages of creating a wireframe

There are many benefits to wireframe app development, which is why developers take the time to create them. Wireframes can save time and money, regardless of the size of the project, and make app development so much easier.

This is because wireframes give the developers a quick overview of the mobile app, the number of pages and the type of pages. A wireframe will also give the developer a look at how these pages fit within the app structure and relate to each other.

Wireframes can also be reused, as there are features and elements that are commonly used in mobile app development. These elements can be reused in wireframes, which means that developers need not spend time, money or effort creating or designing the same elements multiple times.

Wireframes are also easy to modify and change. The straightforward and simple design makes modifications quick, which again saves time and effort on the developer’s part. If a developer plans on reusing elements, they can invest more time and effort in creating initial wireframe app development.