I often create online wireframes to demonstrate to stakeholders. I often find that this is a great way to get feedback and work collaboratively with others who are not in the same location as me. There are however some occasions where I am fortunate enough to work face-to-face with a client and can work on wireframes with a different approach. Although I still use an online wireframe tool in this case, I find it can be helpful to export my wireframes to print out. I do this particularly in the beginning stages where I have planned the layouts of my main navigation and most important pages. By having the wireframes on paper, my client can make notes and draw what he would like to change onto the page. When he has got used to the idea of giving feedback on my wireframes and understands the purpose, we can then begin to collaborate online in real time.
There are ways to be creative offline with wireframes. This includes folding paper in unique ways and creating different interactions in this way. Some people feel this can help them to be more creative, as they are not limited to the interactions that any one tool may offer. With online wireframes, there is of course the benefit that a person can simulate the prototype on the computer or, in some cases, mobile device. This is especially useful when it comes to gathering user feedback, as they already have a context when they hold a device in their hand. Whether you prefer online wireframes or paper wireframes, as long as you are clear about what you want to achieve through them and what type of feedback you should get from them, they can prove to be an invaluable resource in any project.
