A wireframe is a basic visual guide that suggests the layout and placement of design elements on a page before visual design begins. It provides a reference to structure pages and allows variations to be developed to maintain consistency. Wireframes are an important early step because they establish user expectations and familiarity across a site. They also serve as a communication tool for clients to consider changes and define navigation positioning.

1. WWWWWWWWW What’s a wireframe? And should you be wanting one?

2. Definition Basic visual guide to suggest the layout and placement of fundamental design elements in the interface design. Because of this they must be completed before any artwork is developed. Provides a visual reference upon which to structure each page.

3. More definition They also allow for the development of variations of a layout to maintain design consistency throughout your site. This is an important part of the initial development stage because it creates user expectations and helps to develop an awareness and familiarity throughout the site.

4. And more communication tool to clients and stakeholders base on which to consider changes define the positioning of global and secondary levels of navigation

6. Source: http://www.guuui.com/issues/01_03_02.php

8. Generate testable prototypes Reduce wasted time and effort of reworking Visio wireframes or comps into an HTML product. Work in the medium you're designing for HTML prototyping