What’s a Mock Up?
A mock up is actually a full scale working model. Sometimes people call them wire frames, or proofs. sometimes a potential client will ask us to provide a mock up before they sign their contract. Often these same clients will ask for this even before they’ve returned their questionnaire (which asks things about what they are looking for in their web site). We understand the desire to see what you are getting before you purchase it, we feel the same way. However, we provide “proofs” instead of mock ups for Web Design. Web Applications are a totally different matter we’ll get to that in a moment.
What’s the difference?
Not much, the main difference is when it is created and presented to the client. You see the problems with mock ups are when they re asked for. Creating a full color full scale model of a web sites design is the bulk of what we do. Asking us to do this before you sign a contract is like asking us to paint your house before you decide whether we’re going to paint your house.
Besides, the graphical layout of a web site are the last step in a web sites design. We simply can’t make one with any kind of success without gathering the information first, such as:
- What are the goals of your web site
- What kind of navigation do you prefer
- Vertical or horizontal, under the hear or over the header. Do you like drop down menu’s or do you hate drop down menus, etc etc.
- Are there any things you would not like to see on your web site.
And so on. Without these questions answered, obviously anything we present to you has a very low chance of success.
So what do you do?
For web site design, we provide you with a clear proposal. We gather as much information from you about your expectations as when can and then we build a web site using the 2 proof method. After you sign a contract agreeing to pay us. We find this is a more accurate method than the expensive stab in the dark that is a mock up. This is why even our full service web design is far less expensive than our competition and a modified version of pr process makes the whole Cheap Web Design division even possible.
When is a Mock Up Appropriate?
Sometimes a mock up before the contract is signed is perfectly appropriate. A web site redesign, or a web application (software that runs in a web browsers like your banks web site), are two great examples. When applicable, we’ll create a 2 color preview of how we’ll arrange content on a web site. In the case of a web application it may be several of these that illustrate the flow of data or the purchase process. Some times it may even be a full blown mini-web application! Of course we’re still going to speak with you and try to gather information from you. We want to get it right the first time because we don’t to waste your time or your money.
So what is the 2 Proof Method?
Well it basically mean we create 2 graphical layouts based on the information we gather from you. We’ve never had a client that wasn’t happy with one of the 2 proofs yet. Almost invariably,they want to change a little something here or there, and of course we do that free of charge.
Learn more about our 2 proof system.