17 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE

7 Ways A Prototype Can Save You Time and Money

27 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE

How to improve your odds, reduce your risk…and get that funding.An architect wouldn’t think of beginning construction without a number of prototype phases, and entrepreneurial inventors use prototypes for everything from better realizing their concepts for the latest widget to landing investors to market testing. The reason? They’re all looking to capture the highest return on investment with the least amount of risk.

So what’s different about the mobile app development process? Nothing. A development process that focuses on producing an Interactive Prototype first is a proven way to improve the odds of success for startups across the board whether you’re talking a high-rise, a widget or a mobile app.

While adding a step onto the road to launch might seem counterintuitive—especially for lean startups—prototyping can actually result in a better product to market in less time. In fact, every mobile app project should begin with an interactive prototype phase. Before a single line of code is ever written. Here’s why:

37 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE

Speed DevelopmentPrototyping begins with the same strategy and design phase you’d have to do if you wanted to go straight into developing a functional product. Taking an extra day or two to turn those designs into an Interactive Prototype and then taking a couple of weeks to test it with real users can actually speed up your time-to-market. You’ll go into development with a more refined concept—one which has had many preventable issues that can cause development delays already resolved.

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11Refine Your IdeaFlat sketches, wireframes and outlines can only get you so far. Producing a tangible interactive prototype of your mobile app forces you to work through usability questions and distill vague ideas into real-life user experience.

47 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE

33Front and CenterIt’s easy to get distracted by the latest mobile tech and focus on features rather than what really matters. A development plan that leverages feedback from a prototyping phase (see #2) ensures your target market—rather than whim—determines your feature set.

44Stay NimbleOnce coding begins, changes can be costly and seriously delay the expected launch date. An interactive prototype will allow you to identify those inevitable changes earlier in the process so you can make them in the design phase when it is still affordable rather than in the coding phase.

7 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE 5

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66Accurately Validate with Target AudienceYou can crunch the numbers all you want, but the only way to really validate potential opportunity for your unique mobile app is to put it in the hands of your target audience and get their feedback. A high-quality prototype that incorporates your visual aesthetic with well-thought-out UX, and offers users a chance to actually experience your vision for themselves—on their mobile device—is invaluable for assessing real customer wants, needs and willingness to buy.

Build a Budget and Scope that See Eye-to-EyeA mobile developer sends you a quote that’s within your budget and seems to cover all of the features you outlined in a bulleted list. Unfortunately, the devil is in the details and that kind of situation will most likely lead to expensive “change order” fees that increase the total budget well beyond the initial quote. Interactive Prototypes are the best way to make sure that your developer fully understands what needs to be done and provides a budget you can rely on.

67 WAYS TO USE AN INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE

77Secure FundingIf they don’t understand it, they certainly aren’t going to fund it. An interactive prototype can bring your vision to life for investors. Sending potential investors a high-quality prototype they can navigate on their own smartphone also shows a level of commitment that can set you apart. Although doing the background research and being able to communicate a solid pitch deck and business plan is essential, investors value their gut reactions. Eliciting an emotional connection to your particular concept with an actual demo just might tip the scales and secure the funding you need for full development.

When you do a risk/benefit analysis, it is hard to find a reason not to begin your mobile app project with a prototype—and that’s something investors are well aware of.

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