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How to Create a Website Mockup — Complete Guide & Examples

Written by Orana Velarde
Published at Apr 27, 2023
How to Create a Website Mockup — Complete Guide & Examples

Website mockups are the single most important tool for web/UI designers. There’s no better way to show how a website design looks—or will look—on a browser than by creating a website mockup for it.

But that’s not all website mockups are good for. They elevate a promotional graphic for a website or web app launch, add visual value to an email header, and can improve the effectiveness of a CTA banner in a blog post or article.

Are you a web/UI designer looking for ways to make your work stand out? Or a marketer searching for new ways to create visual material for your campaigns? This blog post is for you.

In this complete guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about creating a website mockup and a selection of website mockup templates to get you started immediately.

Let’s get to it.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit website mockup templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

 

Table of Contents

Quick Read

  • A website mockup is a model of the finished website design, showing how the website will look or function before it is developed.
  • The mockup typically shows the layout, structure, and design elements of a website's pages, such as the header, navigation menu, content area, sidebar, footer, and any other design elements that are part of the website's user interface.
  • Website mockups help designers and stakeholders save time on iterations and feedback and test the usability of the website's design, layout, and user interface.
  • Having a common visual reference for everyone involved in the project improves communication and collaboration across development teams.
  • With a user-friendly interface and a wide range of design elements and templates, Visme makes it easy to create beautiful and functional website mockups that will impress your clients and stakeholders.

 

What Is A Website Mockup Or A Website In A Mockup?

A website mockup (website wireframe/prototype) is a low or high-fidelity prototype of the finished website design, showing how the website will look or function before it is developed.

Website mockups are typically created during the initial stages of the web development process so that they might be close to a finished design or a raw wireframe. They help designers and stakeholders visualize what the final website product would look like, which can be iterated upon and refined based on feedback and testing.

The mockup typically shows the layout, structure, and design elements of a website's pages, such as the header, navigation menu, content area, sidebar, footer, typography, colors and any other design elements that are part of the website's user interface.

Wireframe vs. Mockup vs. Prototype

Mockups, wireframes and prototypes—are they all the same? Are they different? That’s a tricky question!

The word "mockup" has more than one meaning, both relevant but not the same. This tends to create confusion between designers and clients. Let’s start with the official definition of the word "mockup" and elaborate from there.

A Mockup—or "Mock-up"—is a model of something that shows how it will operate when it is built or used when the real thing is not yet available. Mockups, specifically website mockups, can be two different things:

  1. A visual graphic of a device—or devices—with screenshots of websites in them.
  2. The preliminary design of a website architecture before it goes to development.

If you landed here looking for number two, please visit our resources on that topic. Also, if you’re looking for mockup and wireframe templates to create your own, browse our template gallery to get started.

On the other hand, if you're a UI or web designer creating a portfolio or putting together a proposal for a client, then it’s likely you are searching for instructions on creating a website mockup or a mockup with a screenshot of a website in it. Then you’ve landed in the right place; keep reading.

Made with Visme Infographic Maker

The word mockup is often used interchangeably with the words wireframe and prototype. But what’s the difference? It might not be the case in other industries, but in UI/UX design, it is like this:

  • Mockups showcase what something would look like in real life.
  • A wireframe showcases the bones of a website but is sometimes also called a mockup.
  • A prototype showcases the initial interaction design inside a website or app.

While they’re similar, each one has a different purpose. Interchanging the two in conversation is an easy mistake, but it's better to know the difference when working in digital design.

Wireframes are sometimes called mockups because they’re essentially doing what mockups do; being the model of something.

Just remember this, a website mockup is a graphic with a device showing the design of a website—finished or in concept.

Prototypes are high-fidelity wireframes with some functionality that can be user tested. Like wireframes, they’re created with a tool like Figma or Sketch.

Additionally, in a wireframe or prototype, the client or stakeholder sees much more of the website than they would in a mockup. A mockup shows what you’d see on a screen above the fold.

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Why Use A Website Mockup?

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 Earlier, we mentioned how website mockups are essential for designers and innovative for marketers. But they’re also highly useful in an agency setting or for a web design/development team working with stakeholders. The best part about website mockups is that they’re practical across all stages of a web project; at the start, throughout the iterations, at the end and beyond.

A mockup sets the scene for the web designer's work. At the start of a web project, sharing the initial design in a website mockup proposal saves time on iterations and feedback.

Why? Because the client or stakeholders are able to see early on what it’s going to look like, even before the development starts. Go one step further, and add a video of the website scrolling instead of a static image inside the device mockup.

When a web project is finished, the designer and agency can add them to a portfolio using an aesthetic design of a website mockup. New clients will see previous work in a different light than if they were shared as simple screenshots or just a link. Website mockups help creators get more web design clients by adding a dose of visual professionalism to their portfolio.

Lastly, website mockups are a unique addition to any marketing strategy. Include a website mockup in promotional material for the launch of a new website or web app. Share the new, updated version of your site or invite viewers to read your blog by showing them how great it looks. Use different devices to visualize the web design from different viewpoints and inspire clients to click on your CTA.

 

How To Create a Website Mockup

The first thing you’ll need when making a mockup for a website is a set of high-quality screenshots. If the site you wish to create a mockup with isn’t online or is still only a visual concept, you’ll need images of the designs as they would look on a screen.

Here is the complete step-by-step guide to creating a website mockup

1. Make screenshots of the website in a web browser

The screenshot is the image that’ll go inside the empty space of the device in the mockup. You can do this with the screenshot keyboard shortcut of your iOS or with a service like Monosnap. Don’t include the navigation bar at the top; capture only the content of the website that’s visible on the screen—above the fold.

2. Sign in to Visme and create a new project

Log in to your Visme account and click on the blue create button. Visme mockups are available as templates or as individual elements to add to any project. Start whoever you prefer, template or blank; it’s up to you!

3. Upload the screenshot into your image library

Now it’s time to upload the screenshot of the website. Remember to take screenshots for tablet and phone views. They’re not the same as the laptop. The upside of using three screenshots shows that your design is responsive.

How to select Mockup templates in Visme

4. Select and place the mockup devices you need

Need more devices to show off your design? Choose from the mockup elements on the left sidebar; you’ll find them in Photos > Mockups. Commonly, web designers display three devices in a website mockup, a laptop or desktop screen, a tablet and a phone.

How to select Mockup templates in Visme

5. Drag the image to the mockup device

Add each image to its device by dragging it from your library or with the Add Image button. Crop to adjust, or go back and take another screenshot on your device. Once the image is inside the mockup element, you can resize and move them easily.

6. Add design elements to create an attractive scene

Set the stage for your website mockup with a custom background and supporting details. Add color and texture to make the overall composition more appealing. You can also use the website’s design style to inspire its mockup.

how to add icons, 3D graphics and other interactive elements to the mockup design

 

Website Mockup Templates You Can Use Right Away

1. Platform

The most common use for a mockup with websites is this composition of the same site on different devices. In this case, the design promotes a streaming service available on any device. But for a website or UI designer, this template is perfect for displaying a responsive design. Take a screenshot of every size and place it inside each device mockup.

Streaming Mockup Square
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

2. Maintenance Announcement

Use a website mockup to announce any maintenance, update or refresh to your website. Share it on social media, in an email newsletter or as a banner in your community. As long as you brand the overall design, your audience will know straight away that it’s coming from your company. Complement the notification bar at the top of your site with a graphic to share widely.

Maintenance Announcement Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

3. Online Course

Promote your online course with any device mockup. Create one with a phone, another with a tablet and a third with a laptop to segment your messaging. Your omnichannel marketing campaign needs great visuals that capture the attention of all possible clients. With a template like this, you can reach everyone you plan to sell your course to.

Yoga Course Mockup Square
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

4. Management App

Share the news of your upcoming web and mobile app launch with an attractive website mockup. You don’t need much to create an engaging graphic to post as a social media ad or newsletter graphic. A great mockup, well-crafted copy, your brand colors and fonts and a little personality are enough to launch with the best foot forward.

Time Management App Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

5. Blog Promotion

Have you published a new blog post? Here’s an idea; create a mockup graphic with a screenshot of your blog on the device. Use the design to share on social media, in your email newsletter or as a Facebook or Twitter ad. Add an inviting call to action and welcome new readers to your site.

Social Media Ad Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

6. Sales Promotion

Let everyone know about your sale campaign. Include a mockup visual in your marketing collateral along with other graphics to entice action with your followers. Edit the template colors to reflect your brand colors, switch the fonts to yours and save the final design as a template for your team to reuse in the future for other campaigns.

Summer Sale Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

7. AI Copy Writer Mockup

Whether you’re building copywriting solutions for your client or brand, this mockup website is the perfect model to show what they should expect. Collaborate with your team to identify any potential usability issues, such as confusing navigation or poorly placed design elements, that can be addressed before the website is developed.

The template has a rich blend of bright colors and stylish fonts that catches the eye. It features the logo, copy and image of a mobile device. Tap into Visme’s library of design assets to make the mockup site pop.

AI Copy Writer Mockup Wide
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

8. Job Advert Mockup

With this mockup example, you can bring developers, designers and stakeholders on the same page during the initial stages of the web development process. It features a transparent background image, the logo, call to action, graphics and other stunning design elements.

All of these design elements can adjusted to suit your need using Visme’s website mockup tool. Take advantage of our intuitive editor to visualize and communicate the design, layout, and functionality and make necessary adjustments before the website is developed.

Work With Us Mockup Wide
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

9. Clinic Website Promo Mockup

Help your clients, development teams or end users visualize what their website will look like with the help of this mockup template. The template has an engaging mockup image placed inside the laptop mockup In addition, there’s a logo, copy, website and call to action.

You can edit content, swap image(s), input your own fonts and logo, apply custom colors and much more.

Clinic Website Promo Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

10. Property Website Mockup

Break down the features and design components of your property management website using this mockup tool. Spice up your mockup and leave a lasting impression on your clients using 2D and 3D icons, animation and interactive elements, fonts and much more.

Don’t have a logo? Visme is a complete design suite with tons of features for designers at different skill levels. You can create eye-catching logos using Visme’s logo maker and logo templates. The best part is that you can leverage text block, images and videos from our rich asset library to make your mockups look professional.

Property Management Software Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

11. Online Scheduling Software Mockup

An online scheduling software should have clean, intuitive and aesthetically appealing. Not only does this mockup template layout embody these qualities, it organizes information and navigations in a way that is easy for the user to navigate.

When creating mockups, Visme makes collaboration easy and painless. You can add team members to your workspace, tag them, leave comments and reply to comments.

Once done, you can generate a link and share it with your clients or stakeholders. Or download your prototypes as a high-resolution JPEG, PNG, PDF or HTML5, and embed them into a blog post or website.

Make use of Visme analytics to track the performance of any projects you have created and published in Visme.

Online Scheduling Software Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

12. Online Course Mockup

Showcase the features and usability of your online course using this creative mockup template. The template features a dark background with bright typography, creating visual contrast. Notice how the CTA button uses a red background and white font to grab readers' attention.

There’s no limit to what you can achieve in Visme editor. Feel free to swap the colors, fonts, and other elements to match your branding. Our templates come in three sizes: horizontal, square and vertical.

Promo of An Online Course Mockup
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

 

Add Variety To Your Visual Communication Assets With Visme

Sharing visual examples of your work in real life will impact your viewer positively. Create a website mockup—or mockup with a website—in minutes. Share it easily on your portfolio or add it to a client proposal.

Visme’s mockup templates are designed for engagement and efficiency. Try the Visme mockup maker and showcase your work in an attractive and memorable way. Remember to take a good-quality screenshot from a device of similar dimensions to the ones you use in the design. Sign up for a Visme account today and start creating content with your team.

 

 

Written by Orana Velarde

Orana has been a writer for Visme since 2018, covering topics like design, visual marketing, data visualization and visual content creation. Orana has a background in graphic and web design, makeup artistry for film and theater and ongoingly takes courses on digital marketing, UI/UX and other related topics. See Orana’s work at www.oranavelarde.com.

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