What is a prototype and how can they help?
Think of it like a rough version of your final website or app that you can actually use. Instead of just looking at pictures, you can click buttons, move between pages, and see how everything will work. It's like test-driving a car before buying it.
Spot problems early and save money
Prototypes help you find and fix issues before spending money on development. For example, one of our clients saved £20,000 by testing their checkout process in a prototype. We found it was confusing and fixed it before any coding began.
Get everyone on the same page
Prototypes reduce misunderstandings about how things should work. Your whole team can try out the prototype and give feedback early. This means fewer surprises and changes later on, which can be costly and time-consuming.
By using prototypes, you can:
- Test your ideas quickly and cheaply
- Get useful feedback from real users
- Make sure your design works before you build it
- Help your team and stakeholders understand the project better
Prototyping options
We offer two main approaches to prototyping. The right choice depends on your project's needs and timeline.
Quick and simple
This option is best for testing ideas fast and early in the design process.
What you get:
- Simple black and white layouts
- Working links between pages
- Basic interactions
Benefits:
- Test core ideas quickly
- Easy to make changes
- Ready in 2-3 days
Detailed and realistic
This option creates a prototype that looks and feels like the final product.
What you get:
- Full colour designs
- Working buttons and forms
- Smooth animations
- Realistic interactions
Benefits:
- Get detailed user feedback
- Test the full user experience
- Spot any final issues before development
Which type is right for you?
We'll help you choose the best approach based on your project's goals, timeline, and budget. Often, we start with a quick prototype and then move to a more detailed version as the design develops.
How we create your prototype
1. Start with the basics
We sketch out the main screens and make them clickable. This helps us test if the basic flow makes sense.
2. Make it look real
Once the structure works, we add your brand colours, images, and make everything look polished.
3. Get real feedback
We watch real people try the prototype and note where they get stuck or confused.
4. Make it better
We improve things based on the feedback, ensuring everything works smoothly before development begins.
Common questions about prototyping
How long does prototyping take?
The time needed depends on how complex your project is:
- A simple prototype with a few screens usually takes 2 to 3 days.
- More complex prototypes with many screens and interactions can take 1 to 2 weeks.
We'll give you a clear timeline estimate before we start.
Is prototyping worth the investment?
Yes, prototyping typically saves both time and money in the long run:
- Our clients usually save 3 to 4 times the cost of prototyping by avoiding expensive changes during development.
- You'll launch with confidence, knowing your product is easy to use.
- It's much cheaper to fix issues in a prototype than in a fully built product.
What do I get at the end of the prototyping process?
At the end of the process, you'll receive:
- A working prototype you can test on your phone or computer
- Clear documentation for developers, showing how everything should work
- A video walkthrough of the prototype to share with your team or stakeholders
- We can also host the prototype on our secure servers so you can easily share it with clients or testers
Thinking about getting a prototype?
Let's start small and see if it's right for your project. Book a free 30-minute chat to discuss your ideas and see some example prototypes.
Book a free 30-minute chat