Definition of ‘Prototype Model – Phases, Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages

What is a prototype model?

Most web developers will tell you that they need to prototype a website before they can start any design. A prototype model is an important tool for the developer, but it’s also helpful for stakeholders involved in the project. It’s a way of testing and showing what could happen with their site without investing too much time and money into something that may not work out.

This blog post talks about how to create a website prototype using HTML and CSS – two languages every developer should be familiar with!

What is a prototype model? A prototype model of the site is the first draft or blueprint for what will eventually be an interactive, live website. Prototypes are typically used to test ideas and see if they have potential before investing time into making them a reality. They are also used as mock-ups for marketers who want to show clients how their products will function on a web page without needing to spend the time and money creating something from scratch. The process of prototyping can often involve sketching out ideas with pen and paper, but many designers now use Sketch App instead. This app allows you to create prototypes quickly using shapes, text, images, symbols, etc., which saves both time and effort when it comes to building your design idea! Here are some pros and cons of prototype model.

Types of prototypes

The first thing you need to know about site prototypes is that there are different types. Prototypes can be full-page, functional, or clickable. Full-page prototypes should have the same design as the final product and work the way it will in production. Functional prototypes should show functionality but not necessarily look like your final product. The clickable prototype doesn’t really do anything because it’s just a mockup of what your website would look like using a program such as Photoshop.

Prototypes are used for testing ideas with users before developing a site so they can give feedback on what they think works well and what needs improvement.

– Paper prototype – The simplest prototype model involving paper, this method is used to test basic interactions and layout.

– HTML prototype – This type creates a mockup using the web technology (such as CSS or Javascript) of what eventually will become an app. It can be developed either by yourself or with the help of software like Proto.io.

– Low fidelity prototype – A LFP represents your idea in its earliest stage; it’s not intended to look pretty but rather serve functional purposes only. These are often tangible objects that users can touch and interact with for example wireframes, sketched ideas on whiteboards, etc.

– High fidelity prototype – As opposed to low fidelities, HFPs are more accurate representations of the final product. It’s common for these models to be made in Photoshop or Sketch, which are programs that produce images with a higher degree of detail and realism.

– Functional prototype – This prototype model simulates product features, functionalities, and processes when it is complete enough to test on users without any additional development work. If you find yourself getting caught up in all the technical details at this stage — worry not! The goal here isn’t perfection but rather building something that works well enough to give your users the validation they want while also letting you know where changes need to be made before continuing further into the process.

– Interactive prototype – These prototypes allow teams to simulate real-world use scenarios by multimedia elements such as sound and motion.

Advantages and disadvantages of prototype models

– High degree of flexibility in terms of design changes, adding features, and functionality. This helps teams save time & money by essentially doing things right the first time around!

It- Easier to prototype early on with limited resources (time/money) before committing significant development efforts. It’s basically a test drive to see what works well together so you don’t waste valuable man-hours or encounter any major problems down the line. You can also get user feedback at this stage without having to go all out for your actual product launch yet which is HUGE! The more input you receive from others while developing – the better chance you have at building something people will actually want rather than just throwing it out there assuming they’ll like it.

– With prototype models, you can show your idea to others and get their feedback before spending significant time and money on the development process. This is a great way for teams of any size (especially solo entrepreneurs) to validate their idea early on by showing it around without having to actually build anything just yet!

– Disadvantages include:

– High-fidelity prototype models are very expensive in terms of both initial costs and ongoing maintenance needs. You may need additional developers down the road that will cost more $$ than what was originally spent creating this model so be sure planned budgeting includes these factors if they’re needed moving forward. Another factor with HFPs is all the time & effort required to get them up and running so again, be sure to take this into account early on.

– The prototype model is not a perfect representation of the final product which means there could still be changes needed before launch or even after you’ve launched. This can lead to additional costs and efforts that weren’t originally considered in your original business plan. Keep these factors in mind as well when budgeting for development moving forward!