Tools you can use to Mockup your Website
In order to design your first website or redesign your existing one you always need a plan. Creating lists and a rough layout is OK, but when you need to communicate your vision to a designer or third-party you want to make sure you are both on the same page. Some people might call this concept mock ups, wire framing or prototyping but in either case both are very important to help you map out your plan.
You want to think about where your most important information is going to be; whether that be on your home page or on an interior web page. Where the main and secondary navigation menus will live. Depending on your ultimate goals you may want to keep information organized a certain way. Just like when you are designing your advertising or promotional flyer you need to make sure your information is going to be emphasized appropriately and presented in a certain order.
In fact to get to the final version you will usually go through some revisions and samples. With that in mind think about the same exercise applied to your web site design. Where do you start? Usually most people would start sketching on paper to see how the design should be developed. However before sending your designer off to complete the final product it is always a good idea to make sure you all agree on this overall plan.
Now that we have covered why you would spend some time understanding why it is important to mock up your website first. Lets get into some online tools which you can use to help you.
Tools you can use to Mockup your Website:
Mockingbird allows you to design mockups on the screen. Including the ability to create, preview and link buttons to actions so you can visualize how the website will function from page to page. As well as being easy to use and not intimidating for first time users.
OmniGraffle helps you to make visually appealing diagrams and user work flows specifically designed for Apple computers. Microsoft Visio files can also be imported and exported for easy sharing of your stunning diagrams.
Balsamiq is designed to mimic the pen and paper sketches on a computer screen. Which is probably why it has been proven to be so popular as a mock up tool. You can easily rearrange elements and undo your work without having to redraw the whole thing again on paper. Using Balsamiq will save hours of frustration trying to get through your website mock up excercise.
MockFlow includes a library of pre-made library of templates to help get you started. Free plans exist as well as paid versions for more functionality.
Mockup Screens is all about sketching up your website design in a collaborative fashion. Including feedback and sharing your work with others to comment on. Helping you to seek feedback on your website navigation and user experience before you even get into discussions of what color looks best.
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