Every good designer knows that a client expects to see a mockup of the website or software before you can do anything. This is beneficial to you as well as them. This procedure can help you limit modifications that will require by getting what they need up front with a simple wireframe. A wireframe is a a great tool for rapid prototyping and can help you squash any idea conflicts that will surly arise with the client. You can use a wireframe to show your ideas, take notes from clients, and even help lower your design and development costs because you knock out design revisions.

In this article we show you the Top 10 Wireframe Tools of 2011. Some are free and some are not. We always opt for the free ones so we will surly denote it next to the link. Our list includes web-based tools, add-ons for browsers and applications you need to install on your computer. I am sure that there are plenty of good tools that are out there and you are more then welcome to list them in the comments below, but the ones in our list are the ones we are partial to.

Now, on to the list....

• Simple Diagrams
  Free and paid, application download
  
   

• Pencil Project
  Free, application download
  
   
• HotGloo
  Paid, online
  
   
• MockingBird
  Paid, online
  
   
• Cacoo
  Free and paid, online
  
   
• Lumzy
  Free, online
  
   
• MockFlow
  Free and paid, application download
  
   
• Lovely Charts
  Paid, application download
  
   
• Gliffy
  Paid, try for free, online
  
   
• Website Wireframe
  Free, online
  

Conclusion

You should be able to get started with prototyping your client's website, iPhone or Android application, or just showing the data flow. These tools are invaluable when it comes to producing quick and easy layouts for your clients. Help them visualize the end product and it will eliminate your design and development time. If you have any other ideas, let us know in the comments and we will try to add them to the list.