Wire framing: Designing a Successful Website Part 6of6

Wire frames allow you to test your site architecture, content, and navigation schemes before you invest time and resources into developing the site. Wire frames are basic HTML pages that focus on the functionality of the site navigation separate from visual elements. Wire frames allow you to test different site navigation schemes in order to determine the most effective site structure. Wire frames also save development time and resources by quickly testing and evaluating Web site functionality early in the design process.

Wire frames should be basic HTML pages that only contain navigation schemes and containers for content. They are simple models used for testing. After you have developed the wire frame pages for your Web site, begin testing the site navigation and layout by organizing and linking pages together. The objective is to develop the most effective site architecture, navigation scheme, and usability design for your users.

Once you are satisfied with the functionality of your wire frame, use it as a visual model to construct the rest of your Web site.