Do you know exactly how the software app is born? It all starts with an idea, then proceeds with software engineering, testing and production stage. Sounds pretty fast, doesn’t it? However, there are multiple small intermediate stages that seem meaningless for many entrepreneurs. However, you should not underestimate any tiny detail: behind the small steps, a huge disaster for the entire product may hide. At the same time, it is much more efficient to follow all the required steps from the very beginning than to keep coming back to the start and trying hard to fix the neverending issues.

Today, we are going to highlight a significant stage that may seem optional for you at a first glance. Mobile app prototyping is a useful thing if you strive to launch an excellent viable product. What do you know about this process? And if you include it to your plan, are you sure you do everything right? And in general, how to make a mobile app prototype?

We prepared reasonable facts on why you need to implement the prototyping and decided to share with you some secrets about its development. The faster you’d know about them, the faster you’ll raise your capital.

A brief intro to the mobile app prototyping

If you don’t have an expertise in prototyping yet, hold a second. We have prepared an introduction for you.

Basically, application prototype is a model that helps to understand the idea in a better way, present it to your partners or clients, test the concept and improve it. It is important to understand the difference between MVP and a prototype. A prototype comes first and allows to:

• Evaluate the idea;
• Design main app’s pages;
• Build and show connections between them;
• Demonstrate the app’s logic.

A prototype is not a functional mini-version of an app. This is just a basic representation of how it should look and work.

Why do you need an app prototype?

Here are 3 key reasons you need to build a mockup:

It is a simple way to present the idea

Even if your idea is spectacular, it still lives inside your head only. To set it free with a minimum budget, you need to design a simple prototype. By showing it to your team, you can listen to the suggestions on how to improve it. By showing it to your partners, you can attract investment and start working on a viable app.

It is a time-saving method to try and test the solution

At the same time, a prototype allows looking at your idea from a different perspective. With it, you get an opportunity to change the design, modify the logic and cater to the potential users’ needs in a better way.

It is a money saver

Prototyping saves you from the risks. You don’t invest money into it, so in case a potential customer rejects your idea, you lose nothing.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to have some specific skills, solid experience in engineering or Photoshop proficiency to build a lovely prototype. But how to build it? Let’s proceed with the next chapter.

4 fundamental steps to the successful prototype

Here are 4 basic steps you need to take to get your best from a simple prototype:

1.Put it down on a sheet of paper

A simple sketch is exactly what you need at a starting point. This stage should take place the moment a great idea comes to your head. The point is to transfer the skeleton of the concept from your thoughts to a sheet of paper. Your sketch must be simple but clear. There is no need to use colors, frames, decorations etc. At least, there is no need to use it YET.

There are several important points you should add to your basic sketch:

• An existing problem;
• Customer persona;
• App user’s journey;
• The expected outcome.

Again, no investments required. Just take a pencil and a piece of paper and start to create. In case you would like to augment it with some advance templates, take a look at ones available on Sketchsheets.

That’s it! You already have a better vision of a product, and it’s time to move on.

2. Migrate to digital space

When the draft version is ready, you should upgrade it. A digital prototype is a model of the app that will once bring you the revenue. Again, it shouldn’t include some specific things or details but must reflect your idea.

Marvel’s POP tool for prototyping will serve you well. Here’s how to use it:

• Take a picture of your paper draft;
• Upload it to the app;
• POP modifies it and turns it into a digital prototype.

POP allows building interactive app pages as well. But if it seems to you like this tool builds very primitive layouts, take a look at InVision. This free software tool provides you with a galaxy of UI components you can use to build an attractive digital version of a prototype.

3. Share it with people who care

Why did we decide to transfer a prototype “from a napkin” to a digital version? The reason is simple. Digital version is much easier to share. And let’s be honest: it looks more professional and generally better, too.

Send your prototype to people whose opinion matters in this situation.

Your friends

Your friends may play the role of independent specialists. Their opinion may help you to understand the imperfections and fix the issues.

Your team

The specialists you work with will be responsible for turning your sketch into a real solution. So show them what you have, listen to their opinions and make sure you are on the right way.

Your potential investors

One of the primary goals of a good-looking mockup is to attract investments. So when you’ve got an initial approve from your team, show it to your potential business partners.

4. Collect feedback and comments

The moment has come to take a look at the feedback you’ve been given.

• Analyze positive comments;
• Think over negative remark and think if you can answer them;
• Decide how to diminish negative comments and turn the concerns to your strengths.

Final thoughts

In the case of brilliant app development, visual perception plays on your side. Just present your idea in a way that appeals to a user and solve multiple tasks with it, including idea testing, design improvement, investments attracting etc. Devote a couple of hours of your precious time to a simple mockup development and save multiple design, development, testing and sales hours.

Do you have any questions on how to win investors' hearts with a prototype? Just drop us a line. Do you need a reliable partner to help you with mockup and app development? Let us help you!