What is Mobile App Prototyping?

A mobile app prototype is a framework that demonstrates the functioning of the mobile app. In other words, it is a detailed sketch of the app on paper that highlights the interactive model of the final app.

Types of Mobile App Prototyping

The following are the two most common types of mobile app prototyping:

• High-Fidelity Prototype
• Low-Fidelity Prototype

Benefits of Mobile App Prototyping

Mobile app prototyping offers the following benefits to the developers, as well as app clients:

• Cost-efficient
• Helps explore new ideas
• Highlights improvements
• Ensure the involvement of client and stakeholders
• Limits wastage of resources
• Allows validation of UX
• Helps in fixing problems at an early stage

Dig deeper into this article to explore everything you should know about mobile app prototyping.

Top 8 Steps to Develop a Prototype of Mobile Apps

Mobile app prototyping is an important step in the process of developing a mobile app. It helps the parties to get a detailed idea about the final product and make changes if they do not like something. Therefore, the users often review the prototypes before giving a go-ahead signal to mobile app development.

Here are the top steps to develop a mobile app prototype before the final development of the app.

1. Define Project Goals

The first step of developing the prototype of a mobile app is to define the project goals. It means the service, features, and actions that the app should provide to the target audience. The business owners in need of a mobile app cannot develop the prototype on their own. They acquire the service of professionals from a mobile app development company in Dubai to create the prototype according to their defined goals and requirements.

2. Perform Competitive Analysis

The second step of creating the prototype of a mobile app is to perform the competitive analysis. This step requires doing background research about competitive businesses, as well as competitive apps, to get an idea about the features and services they are offering to the target audience. It helps in identifying the points that need attention and will increase app popularity.

3. Highlight Key Functional Requirements

Once you have identified the goals of your mobile app development project and performed the competitive analysis, the next step in the process is to highlight the key functional requirements. It can include the detail of the features and functions your app should be able to perform. Moreover, you can also include the features that your target audience will seek in the app.

4. Develop User Persona

One of the most critical steps in the process of creating the prototype of your mobile application is developing the user persona. It means that you have to identify the targeted or ideal audience for your app. After identifying the audience, you also need to identify their needs, requirements, and expectations and develop the sketch of the app in the light of shared details.

5. Work on Primary Screen

Once you have collected all the basic details after reviewing the market practices, the next step in the process of creating the prototype of the mobile app is to work on the primary screen. The primary screen denotes the screen the user will face when they open the app. You have to include details of functions, features, and options available on this screen to the users.

6. Create Wireframes

The next step you need to follow in the process is to create the wireframe of the mobile app. Utilize the information from the previous steps and create the wireframe of the app, which highlights the navigation, design, and other crucial features.

7. Develop Prototype

In all the previous steps, the work was limited to paper and pen. Now that you have done the research and performed all the background sketching, you can move with the step of developing the prototype of the app. Creating the prototype will require the use of online tools and techniques, with the use of expertise and skills in the field.

8. Test and Refine

Once you have developed the interactive prototype of the mobile app, you need to test and refine the development. If you lack professional skills, you cannot perform this step. Instead, you can hire the service of a professional mobile app development company in Dubai such as Spiral Click, and let the professional developers create, test, and refine the prototype of your mobile app, as well as convert it into a useable app.

Develop a perfect prototype to design a functional app!

The success of a mobile app depends on the quality of the prototype. If the prototype is not efficient or effective, the app will not serve the purpose. Do not waste your time and effort if you lack expert skills in the field. Connect with professional developers to get your hands on a perfectly crafted mobile app that serves the needs and requirements of your target audience.