The significance of prototyping in web designing

Calgary web design companies are known to build websites that are robust, scalable and engaging.One of the ways in which they accomplish this is by using prototyping.

What is a Prototype?

Before delving deeper into the topic, let us understand what is a prototype?

In the context of web designing, a prototype is basically a high-fidelity visual version of a websitethat closely resembles its final design in terms of details and functionality. In common parlance it isalso referred to as a mock up as it provides a link between the screens and provides a demo of howthe website would function before it is built.

Prototyping in web designing

Calgary web design companies now routinely build prototypes in almost every webdesign project. Their development methodology has shifted from the ‘waterfall’ modelto an ‘agile’ model which means that they now work more iteratively with their clientsthan before.

Their clients also prefer this approach as it allows them to see the big picture of theirwebsite beforehand. With the help of prototypes, they are able to see their desiredfunctionalities in the website coming to life with interactive gestures and animations.

A well-done prototype provides a rich user experience and conveys the look & feel of how the proposed site willfunction. It allows users to interact with the site, check out its ebb and flow and provide feedback. If the userexperience is positive, then the prototype has done its work, but in case the feedback is negative, then it means thatchanges need to be done.

Getting feedback from users

In order to obtain insights and perspectives from users, Calgary web design companies send a web link to theirclients. This link contains the prototype. Their clients need to simply click the link and then the prototype easilyinstalls itself.

They are then able to interact with the site and provide critical feedback, ideas and suggestions, all of which geteasily and quickly incorporated into the prototype.

The modified prototype is again presented to their clients andfeedback taken. At this point, all aspects of the design, flow andfunctionality are more or less frozen. In the next steps, the prototypeis taken as the basis to build the final website and roll it intoproduction.

The website then becomes public and users are able to visit it andinteract with it. If it is an e-Commerce website, then shoppers are

Advantages of a prototype

•A prototype works well for both parties – the business owner as well as the web design company.•The biggest advantage of prototyping is that it simulates the real and future website. It motivates clients tofinance the website before making provision for staff who would be required to supervise and implement.•Clients are able to test the correctness of the design before it comes into production.•A prototype eliminates misunderstandings and miscommunications during the process of design &development. Errors are detected early and this leads to reduced time and costs.•Projects done with a prototype are mostly within budget.•A prototype facilitates collaboration within internal team members•User feedback is incorporated into the website.•Rigorous testing of the website can be done.

Conclusion:

Prototyping does not cost a lot of money. In fact it takes just a few dollarsto build a small prototype. Individuals and small business owners whowant to either build a brand new website, or upgrade their existingwebsite and make it more user-friendly, feature rich and interactive, areadvised to take the route of prototyping before building a big budgetwebsite.

MELISSA MERRIAM ONLINE MARKETING CONSULTING

Address: 2420 25th ST SW Calgary, Alberta T3E 1X6

Phone: 587-224-7700

Email: melissa@melissamerriam.com

Website: melissamerriam.com