Design and copywriting both hold an integral part of an app or website’s success. While these two pieces blend naturally to form a compelling user experience, several designers rarely note the importance of planning for the website’s content during designing. This article covers some of the reasons they’re essential tools for copywriters, but it’s important to understand what a wireframe is before then.
What is a Wireframe?
A wireframe, sometimes referred to as a screen blueprint or a page schematic, is a visual outline that shows the skeletal structure of a website or an app. It offers a clear overview of the page layout, user flow, information architecture, functionality, design, plus other intended behaviors.
Its primary purpose is to help copywriters and other designing team members to display all the elements of the project most effectively and to accomplish a given goal.
Why Should You Use a Wireframe?
A wireframe offers a path for cohesion between different stakeholders in a project by connecting the information structure to the visual designs. According to Joanna Wiebe of Copy Hackers & Airstory, working on a project without a content wireframe equals putting much emphasis on a sales store (design) while neglecting the salesperson (content). Going by her statement, your efforts will potentially go to waste since no one will recognize your salesroom if your marketer doesn’t preach the gospel.
The first function of copywriting is to convert visitors to sales. As a result, it has to be presented engagingly and thought out calculatedly. However, the dream only becomes real if the designer has a path to follow.
A wireframe also gives your client a vivid picture of how the product will look and flow after completion.
Why Content Writers Need Wireframes
For Clarity
Every copywriter aims at making a statement with the content they create in the most precise way possible. However, the designer can easily distort the message through their presentation and positioning if they don’t have a guide. Similarly, your designing team may not be conversant with specific product requirements such as navigation keys or drop-down menus. If you don’t offer clarity on these, they may miss the point.
Avoid Delays
Content is often the last thing that comes into mind and mostly causes delays. Sometimes the critical elements aren’t matching the content, or the layout doesn’t blend your desires. Presenting the guide earlier prompts all the stakeholders to ponder and work towards creating and perfecting the content. That eliminates the last-minute rush and also helps the project to run smoothly and effectively.
Helps in Obtaining Better Feedback
Not all stakeholders and clients can read between each element of a design wireframe and get the picture. The lack of proper interpretation affects the type of feedback you receive. However, adding a few more details heightens the design, making it easy to understand and allows the teams to offer quality feedback.
Give Direction to the Design
Lack of content wireframe causes the design to lack a path, making it easy to alter the structure or conduct poor highlighting. After the time you spend researching and creating the converting content, you need the best way to attract the user. However, that’s only possible if you provide a clear path for your design team to follow.
A content wireframe is essential for the success of your website or app design. Give it priority and let it dictate how your design looks as it matters to your users.