if you want to design a website or user interface for a website, one of the fundamental things to do is to make sure you have the interface designed well before you start building. The most general way to plan an interface are to use Wireframes.
Wireframes are line drawings, comparable to blueprints, which demonstrates the general navigation and the building blocks e.g. content, functionality etc. that will go into making of the website. The main rationale behind creating Wireframes is to sustain the flow of your particular logical and business functions by classifying all the entrance and exit points for every single page of your website.
Wireframes can be created manually on a paper. It is the easiest and fastest way of creating Wireframes. When time is short just put your layout ideas on a paper with a focus on what elements should go where.
Wireframes are crucial component of the initial development stage as they generate user expectations and help to boost the understanding and flow of a website by increasing acquaintance with the site.
During the creation of the project, Wireframes function as a firm and established base on which to consider changes and new requirements. Common page structure and content needs for individual web pages are easily conveyed using Wireframes.
Wireframes mostly lead to a better output in terms of superior product because they are also immensely helpful in getting valuable and accurate input.
Wireframes/Prototyping makes it easy to compare and evaluate different ideas and rival designs, which further makes it easier to incorporate changes.
Development cost and time are ultimately cut down by sizeable amount by getting a signoff on a detailed Wireframes because programmers making never-ending changes to their code have become a passe.
Some people prefer Visio, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Freehand, Fireworks, and of course even PowerPoint, Dreamweaver, Adobe Indesign etc.
But the following are some of the other tools, which are less popular but have good stuff.
Dia
Website Wireframes Tools
Oversite
Gliffy
Protoshare
Jumpchart
Pencil
Denim