A major part of product design is the prototype phase. A prototype is an early sample, or model built to test the initial concept. Generally this part of the design process is used to evaluate, test, enhance and convince stakeholders of the value of the product. A prototype can also help identify flaws, which could cause costly revisions at a more advanced phase of the design.
Prototypes can be made in multiple mediums including digital, paper, or 3d. It may or maynot be built with the same materials as the final finished product.
With regards to website development – prototypes can be effectively created in Adobe XD, which allows the client to experience the website with live interaction, allowing the evaluator to move through the website just as they would if it was a live site. Below is an example of how Adobe XD allows the creation of an interactive prototype.