5 reasons to start your app project with a prototype

You’re a savvy entrepreneur, right? So starting your app project with a low-stakes prototype just makes sense. Prototyping is the ultimate way to explore and test your app idea without wasting money and time. This will help you build a more focused product.

App prototyping typically has four stages: paper prototype, wireframe, low-fidelity prototype, and high-fidelity prototype. You can enter the process at any stage, but they’re often taken in order. Our article “The four stages of app prototyping” delves into this topic more.

Now, let’s talk about why starting with a prototype is a great idea.

Here are the top 5 reasons to start your app project with a prototype:

1. Save money by avoiding costly mistakes

Create a prototype early on to decide whether your idea has legs. When you start your app project with a prototype, you’ll eliminate unnecessary features, and avoid needless time spent during later stages, such as quality assurance.

2. Streamline your design process

Building a prototype of your app can help determine the direction you should take with the product design. You can even test a few variations of the user flow before committing to one. UI/UX designers also come into this stage of the prototyping process. You’ll want your app to be user-friendly and inviting to your potential customers, as well as innovative and fresh, right?

3. Conduct early user testing to get insights

Get your product in the hands of users as soon as possible. Early testing will help determine whether users will embrace your idea, which features appeal, and how you should structure your screens. Collecting user feedback on features, layouts, and user flows when you’re in the prototyping phase ensures your product is on-point.

4. Clarify your target customer and value proposition

The two most important questions you need to answer early on are “Who’s your target customer?” and “What’s your value proposition?” Another way to put this is “What problem are you solving?”

Your answers to these questions will inform every stage of product design, development, and marketing. When you test your assumptions through the prototyping process, you’ll discover whether your answers are based in reality and whether to reassess your approach.

“Matching product requirements to real market needs is equally important at the beginning and throughout the entire product lifecycle. That’s also why you need to conduct a continuous research, rather than just scribble something at the beginning of the project.” thinslices.com

5. Demonstrate your product to investors and stakeholders

Do you need to raise funds, recruit developers, and hire an agency? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. An interactive picture is even better. With a high-fidelity, interactive app prototype in hand, you can demonstrate the value of your product, build your team, and attract funding.

In summary

When you start your app project with a prototype, you’ve taken the first, savvy step on your product development journey. If you’re interested in exploring your app idea by building a prototype, we’re happy to give you a hand. We enjoy working with entrepreneurs on their new ideas, and we’d love to discuss how we can help bring your idea to fruition.

—

Editor’s note: Addie Kugler-Lunt expanded and updated this article in June 2022.

LimeTech is a creative tech company with a focus on app development. We help brands grow their impact by building digital products that please customers and solve business challenges. Our work includes strategy, design, content, and tech planning. Check out our portfolio or reach out to start a conversation about your project.