It is understandable that clients want to move straight to website design, but a website based solely on the “picture in their head” is not always easy to use. Website planning involves defining its structure, functionality, and user interaction scenarios. In short, it means preparing a website prototype. 

A prototype should not be confused with website design. A prototype is a foundation consisting of preliminary page layouts and planned interaction scenarios, onto which the visual design is applied later. A website prototype helps determine the placement of content blocks, navigation elements, buttons, forms, and other interface components. In short, the prototype defines how the website will work, while the design determines how it will look.

Prototypes vary in their level of detail and interaction capabilities. The main types are: 

  • Low-fidelity – a simplified layout showing the placement of elements on future pages, including buttons, menus, breadcrumbs, and more. It does not include finalized colors, images, or decorative elements. Suitable for quickly presenting and agreeing on the planned structure; 

  • High-fidelity – a detailed prototype that closely resembles the final interface. It is suitable for evaluating page layouts and the overall interface and can also be interactive. 

  • Interactive prototype – simulates interaction with the future website. Users can navigate between pages, open menus, and click buttons. It helps identify navigation or interface logic issues before programming begins.  

This brings us to the most important question. 

Why create a prototype before website development?

First and foremost, a prototype helps align the structure by using a basic “template” to approve pages and define the functions of individual blocks and other elements. It is also useful for testing user scenarios and assessing how simple and intuitive the journey is to products, inquiries, forms, and essential information in general. 

Most importantly, a website prototype helps identify many potential problems and errors before actual programming begins, reducing the risk of unnecessary expenses. For example, during prototyping, it is easier to change the placement of content blocks or adjust the “route” between pages than to rebuild everything halfway through development or even after the website is complete. In terms of costs, a prototype helps minimize misunderstandings and unexpected changes during subsequent development stages. Of course, this does not guarantee a lower development budget, but it can reduce the risk of expensive modifications later on. 

How is a website prototype created?

The prototyping process can be divided into four main stages: 

  • Requirements for the future website – at this stage, information is gathered about business goals, the target audience, and the client's technical requirements; 

  • Structure planning – this involves defining the number and content of pages, the placement of blocks, navigation, and connections between sections. The main goal is to make the website easy for users to navigate; 

  • Creating the prototype – at this stage, low- or high-fidelity prototypes are created as needed, along with interactive prototypes for testing the main website interaction scenarios; 

  • Testing and approval – the prototype is presented to the client, feedback is collected, and changes are made if necessary. The team then moves on to UI design and further website development. 

Does every website need a prototype?

This is an important question to ask yourself before commissioning a website prototype. For a complex online store or a corporate website with a structured hierarchy, prototyping can be an essential stage that helps reduce redevelopment costs in the future. For example, an online store may have numerous interconnected subcategories, links to user accounts, and checkout forms. The structure of such a website should be planned in advance, and a prototype provides a convenient way to test assumptions. 

For a simple one-page website, however, a basic wireframe created in Figma or a similar tool may be sufficient. 

In short, the level of detail in a prototype should primarily reflect the complexity of the future website. 

Conclusion 

Prototyping is an important stage for testing assumptions before the main website development begins and significant budget is spent. If you need a prototype and, more broadly, comprehensive support in creating an online store or corporate website, the specialists at geniustudio can help you through the entire development cycle.