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The internet is one of the main threads weaving through the tapestry of modern life. Given how connected we humans are to the internet, it is little surprise that hundreds of „build your own website“ applications have surfaced all over the world wide web. These sites target private users who lack technical prowess, but are still interested in creating their own interface designs. Build your own website applications are the programs that allow „amateur“ web designers to create their own interface designs. The goal of these sites is to help the average person create website interface designs to share with their families and friends. However, professionals find that these tools limit their flexibility and do not measure up to their individual needs in the business environment. Especially during the highly collaborative conception phase, wireframing applications, such as Pidoco, are often better suited to help even the technically unsavvy create their own interface designs that can then readily be implemented. Which method should you choose when creating your interface design? Let‘s take a look at the critical differences between Website Building Applications and wireframing applications. Website building applications Website building applications provide users the ability to construct a website using design ready tools. Users build websites using templates and function or feature options provided by the website building application. With website building applications users only need to select their templates, functions, and features, and then simply enter in content, be it words or the uploading of photos. Website building applications provide users with coded, finished programs that can be published. Often, these website builders are included with hosting packages or are readily available in different quality levels. Be careful, since they often differ by ease-of-use. Website builders are targeted at private individuals and very small businesses wishing to quickly create a simple, cheap web presence. Website builders limit users to the particular design or layout templates available, and while it is easy and quick to publish a site, it often does not fulfil all needs or wishes of users looking for a more advanced, customized website with functions not provided “off the rack”. Wireframing Wireframing tools allow users to create low or high fidelity wireframe prototypes as visual guides that lay out the structure of a given website and the relationships between the interface design's pages. Wireframes are not finished code, and so they are not suitable for immediate publishing as a website. But they give the user much more flexibility regarding the user interface design of his website in the works, going far beyond the options provided by website building applications. A wireframe is an outline of a website's structure that allows users to explore the following relative to their future interface design: - ideation: the process of creating new ideas
- conceptualization: the formation and interpretation of concepts
- usability tests: the process whereby users and designers evaluate a given wireframe prototype
Since wireframing is a before programming process, its goal is to give designers the ability to evaluate the converging and diverging features of the prototype in order to submit an outline that will eventually become a successful and usable interface design. Wireframe prototypes are an ideal way to involve different stakeholders in the process of creating a website, and in combination with usability testing, they lead to better interface designs for applications that professionals rely on for their commercial purposes, such as e-commerce shops or other portals. Wireframes are not meant to represent or generate finished code, and exist mainly as a basis for exploration and improvement of a given interface design. The implementation has to be done separately. Which method best suits your needs? If you are building a website, the process you choose depends on what you want and need. If you are constructing a website for personal use, for example for birth or wedding announcements, then website building applications are appropriate because they are simple and do not require much effort on your part. Since such sites often contain only simple information (text, images, links), your personal needs can be fulfilled by website builders. As long as you are satisfied with using their standard templates. If you have a bigger, more professional project in mind, such as creating an interface design for a corporation or for eCommerce purposes, then using wireframing software will allow you to follow a design process that permits you to create highly individual, interactive website concepts and in the process optimize usability. For example, programs like the Pidoco rapid prototyping software give you the ability to create interactive, wireframe prototypes that can e used in usability tests within the same software and facilitate your capacity to discern the requirements and constraints of your future interface design as they relate to usability and user experience. In summary, choosing between wireframing and website building applications boils down to your personal needs vs. professional needs. ==================== About the Author: ==================== Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, Interface Design Software, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing and Digital Paper Prototyping. Fast wireframe creation and remote website usability testing lead to an improved conversion!
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