High-quality websites are so common these days, it’s easy to forget how much work it takes to build one. From jotting ideas down on notepads to low-level sketches up through user testing and programming, the entire process can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time
High-quality websites are so common these days, it’s easy to forget how much work it takes to build one. From jotting ideas down on notepads to low-level sketches up through user testing and programming, the entire process can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time

On the flip side, it’s exciting to see a website come to life, going from an idea in one designer’s mind to a fleshed-out online presence. In the website design process, a mockup is when that final product truly begins to take shape.
Website mockups give the first clear picture of how a website will look for you and your fellow stakeholders. Because the mockup phase sits in the middle of the design process, it can be overlooked. However, it’s a vital step that all web designers should understand.
Website mockups give the first clear picture of how a website will look for you and your fellow stakeholders. Because the mockup phase sits in the middle of the design process, it can be overlooked. However, it’s a vital step that all web designers should understand.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a mockup is, when you make them, and how they’re made. Then, we’ll recommend some tools you can use to draft your mockups and turn your notepad pages into stunning web pages.