So you have a great idea and want to start a business around it. Or maybe you’re an existing business and have a new product to launch. Don’t be the entrepreneur that jumps the gun and launches a product without first creating a workable prototype. Keep reading to learn why your business should create a prototype for your next product or service.

You’ll save tremendously on costs

New product development is a long and tedious process, and as humans, we’re naturally impatient. Many entrepreneurs will just launch the final product and later find a bunch of problems. Those problems could also lead to issues like a substandard product with your company name on it. If you’re claiming to have a great product and it’s not great, you’re damaging your business’s integrity. Worst case scenario, you have to pull the product off the market to address the problems. None of these repercussions are ideal, and they’ll certainly cost you a lot of money.

Investors will be more inclined to buy in

If you’re a new entrepreneur, you might need investors––if not now, then in the future. If you’re an experienced business owner, you can attest to the following statement: Investors want to see a proven concept. By developing a functioning prototype, it shows that you care about the quality of your product and are receptive to feedback. Additionally, you prove that your idea can become a reality. If investors can put their hands on a final product and try it, they’re much more likely to invest in you and your business.

Visual and physical representation

Of course, by creating a prototype, you have a product in front of you instead of just an idea in your head. Ideally, you’ll go through the entire process and start by developing a mockup and then a prototype. You should get a mockup made so you can visualize something more professional than a drawing on a piece of paper. Once you can visualize a mockup, you can make any necessary adjustments and then move forward to a prototype. It’s important to get the difference between mockups and prototypes straight; otherwise, you could waste time and money or launch an okay product instead of a great one.

Developing a prototype is crucial for the success of your business and product. Many entrepreneurs that go through the creative process of developing mockups and prototypes find several ways to make their product better. In addition, many entrepreneurs find themselves coming up with new ideas for future products and services. Now you know why your business should create a prototype, so go start the creative process. We guarantee you, it’ll be worth your time and money, and you’ll probably have fun in the process.