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Having an idea is not enough when it comes to developing an application or SaaS software: creating a prototype can greatly assist. But what does it involve exactly? How does it differ from wireframes, mockups? How to go about it? How much does it cost? We answer all your questions in this article.
Table of contents
What is a SaaS Prototype?
Definition
Imagine a SaaS prototype as a mockup that comes to life.
It goes far beyond simple static sketches by adding a layer of interactivity and functionality. The prototype allows you to experiment with various components and get a preview of the final operation of a SaaS product. For example, you can hover over and click on buttons to see where they lead. However, it's important to note that the prototype generally does not contain any code to bring these features to life, and often, there's no complex algorithm underlying it.
It's crucial to understand that prototypes are necessary when demonstrating the expected behavior of an interface based on user actions. For example, how does the interface react when hovering over certain elements, clicking, dragging and dropping, tapping the screen, or making a touch gesture like swiping left, right, up, or down, etc.?
It's often believed that SaaS prototyping is a step that comes at the end of the UI design process, after the creation of high-fidelity mockups. But all these interaction behaviors can be designed and tested regardless of the fidelity of the mockups/wireframes. You can very well test expected behaviors on medium-fidelity wireframes. Moreover, it's essential to understand the difference between prototypes and mockups.
How Does it Differ from Wireframes, Mockups, MVP, and Final Product?
With a prototype, you'll have a higher degree of interactivity than wireframes and hi-fi mockups, but you won't have as many features and interactions as with a minimum viable product (MVP) or a final product.
To simplify, a high-fidelity prototype is a simulation of the final product. However, you can also design low-fi and medium-fi prototypes when you need to test features, ideas. This avoids investing time in designing highly detailed prototyped mockups only to realize that there are deep-seated changes to be made.
To understand more easily, we can compare UX to the field of architecture and construction:
- Wireframes are like architectural plans (blueprints). They focus on the layout and hierarchy of elements but do not provide details on the final appearance.
- Mockups are similar to detailed digital visualizations or artistic renderings of a building. They provide a more precise visual representation of the final product.
- Prototypes are like scale models. They offer a more concrete representation of the design, allowing designers and stakeholders to visualize and test interaction with the product.
- The MVP is like a simplified and functional version of a building, including the essential elements necessary to test the basic idea. Just as a minimalist building could contain only the rooms needed for its use, an MVP focuses on key features that meet the basic needs of users.
- The final product is the equivalent of a completed building, ready to be used by its occupants. It integrates all aspects of design, including architecture, ergonomics, and aesthetics, after going through all stages of design, development, and testing.
Thus, it's important to understand that the work of developers is only necessary for the MVP and the final product. With a prototype, you can already start showing tangible ideas to investors without the costs of a developer.
Why Create a SaaS Prototype?
After understanding the importance of working on user experience before SaaS development, it's also important to understand that there are multiple reasons to create a SaaS prototype.
Testing and Validating Your Idea
Thanks to SaaS prototypes and at each phase of SaaS interface creation, the entrepreneur can visualize their idea and test its effectiveness with users before development. This is one of the most important steps in the process of designing a SaaS as it allows for identifying areas for improvement, finding what might be missing within the interface.
For example, low-fidelity prototypes are extremely effective in ideation phases, wireframing, to get quick feedback on the direction to take. Conversely, more advanced prototypes will be used to complete the interface and design the product.
Saving Time During Development
Prototyped mockups for SaaS serve as a guide for developers, saving them time. Each component is detailed with its role well defined in a Design System, showing developers the direction to take.
With a well-made prototype during the design process, it's easier to communicate and collaborate with other teams and members involved in the design process, including developers.
Since SaaS prototypes are designed upstream of development, it's a good way to evaluate and verify the technical feasibility of the interface. By exchanging with future developers, you can verify that every detail can actually be designed, avoiding constant back and forth between designers and developers.
Impressing Investors and Increasing Chances of Obtaining Funds
An idea isn't enough to get funding: investors prefer to see rather than hear. So, to maximize chances: a prototype is a good way to accompany a pitch to give investors a taste of an idea.
Indeed, one must put themselves in the shoes of investors and see their financial point of view. Investing in an idea is much less tangible than investing in a prototype. With a prototype in front of them, the "WOW" effect is there, and investors understand that work has already been done and the project is on the right track.
How Much Does a SaaS Prototype Cost?
You can expect between €5,000 and €15,000 for SaaS prototype mockups focused on the user, whether the software targets companies or final consumers. As you have read just above, the SaaS prototype allows you to test your idea and accelerate development. So, the more you invest in a good prototype, the more money you will save in the future: less development costs, less rework costs, less customer support costs, etc. Investing in a good user experience is an investment that will pay off later.
"If you think good design is expensive, look at the cost of bad design." - Ralph Dieter Speth
How to Create a SaaS Prototype?
Follow the Right Steps
Often, startup teams don't always have a product designer and instead have a handful of developers. This is a mistake because you should not neglect UX design before calling on developers. To create a SaaS product prototype, you must first follow the 5 steps of designing a SaaS, knowing that prototyping corresponds to part of the interface design step.
Each designer will have their own prototype design process. At merveilleUX, we generally follow these steps:
- Planning
- Wireframing
- Creating High-Fidelity Mockups
- Animating mockups and interaction
- Final testing of prototypes
- Sharing with developers
Use Dedicated Software
To create a prototype, you generally need to use a dedicated interface design tool. While simple mockups can be made on paper or via a graphic software like Photoshop or Illustrator, prototypes can only be made on specialized software. This type of software allows you to create links between different screens created and bring the components of the mockups to life. At merveilleUX, we use Figma. But software like Sketch or Adobe XD can also meet UX needs.
Conclusion
At merveilleUX, we propel digital companies by helping them create exceptional user-centered experiences.
Our most valuable advice is not to neglect UX Strategy and User Research steps. For us, this is the basis of any SaaS creation, and it's important not to overlook it to ensure the success of the application.
To succeed in fundraising, we are convinced that a "WOW" effect comes from good prototyping. So, stack the odds in your favor, and don't hesitate to outsource the creation of your mockups.
