How to Create & Share Interactive Prototypes
Learn how to create interactive prototypes and share them with stakeholders. Covers tools, best practices, and hosting options.
Interactive prototypes let you test ideas before writing code. They simulate the user experience of an app or website so stakeholders can click through screens, see transitions, and give feedback on something that feels real.
Popular Prototyping Tools
- Figma — Browser-based design tool with built-in prototyping. Link frames together, add transitions, and share a prototype URL.
- Adobe XD — Desktop and web tool with auto-animate features for smooth transitions between screens.
- InVision — Upload static screens and add hotspots to create clickable prototypes.
- Framer — Code-backed prototyping with real components and interactions.
- ProtoPie — Advanced interaction prototyping with sensor-based triggers and conditional logic.
Steps to Create a Prototype
- Define the user flow. Map out the screens and the paths users will take. Focus on the primary task you want to test.
- Design the screens. Create each screen in your design tool. Use realistic content instead of placeholder text where possible.
- Add interactions. Link screens together with click targets and transitions. Define what happens on tap, hover, and swipe.
- Test internally. Walk through the prototype yourself and with teammates. Fix broken links and confusing flows before sharing externally.
Sharing Prototypes
Most design tools generate a shareable link, but sometimes you need more control over how prototypes are distributed.
If you have exported your prototype as HTML files (common with Framer, Axure, and other tools), you can upload the files to Linkyhost to host them with a clean URL. This gives you options like password protection for confidential projects and view tracking to see when stakeholders have reviewed the prototype.
For static mockups or design documents, you can share a PDF of your designs or create a portfolio link to present multiple screens together.
Tips for Better Prototypes
Keep prototypes focused on the specific flow you are testing. Avoid prototyping an entire application when you only need to validate one feature. Use realistic data, set correct device frames, and include loading states and error states to make the experience feel genuine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Prototyping too much. A prototype should validate a specific design hypothesis. Prototyping an entire application wastes time and blurs the feedback you get. Focus on the critical user flow — sign up, checkout, or key feature interaction.
Using placeholder content everywhere. Lorem ipsum and generic profile photos make the experience feel fake, which leads to less useful feedback. Use realistic names, real product descriptions, and plausible data to make the prototype feel authentic.
Not briefing stakeholders before sharing. If you send a prototype link without context, reviewers will waste time trying to figure out what to click and what feedback you need. Include a short note explaining the scope of the prototype, what to test, and what kind of feedback you want.
Broken links and dead ends. Clickable hotspots that lead nowhere frustrate reviewers. Either link every interactive element to a destination screen or clearly indicate the boundaries of the prototype with a "end of prototype" screen.
Ignoring error states and edge cases. Prototypes that only show the happy path give a false sense of completeness. Include at least one error state (form validation failure, empty state, loading state) to demonstrate that you have thought through the full experience.
Prototyping Tool Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Collaboration | Code Export | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Yes (3 projects) | Real-time | Via plugins | Browser |
| Adobe XD | Discontinued (use Figma) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| InVision | Free (limited) | Comments | No | Browser |
| Framer | Yes (limited) | Real-time | HTML export | Browser |
| ProtoPie | Free trial | Cloud sharing | No | Desktop + Web |
| Axure | Free trial | Cloud sharing | HTML export | Desktop |
Tips for Effective Prototyping
- Start low-fidelity. Sketch wireframes on paper or in a whiteboard tool before jumping into high-fidelity design. This saves hours of pixel-pushing on concepts that may be rejected.
- Name your screens clearly. "Screen 3 Copy (2)" is useless for navigation. Use descriptive names like "Checkout - Payment Method" so you can find and link screens quickly.
- Set correct device frames. Present mobile prototypes in a phone frame and desktop prototypes in a browser frame. This sets the right expectations for reviewers.
- Add micro-interactions. Small touches like button hover states, page transitions, and loading animations make prototypes feel more realistic and help stakeholders evaluate the design more accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I share a prototype with someone who does not use the design tool?
All major prototyping tools generate a shareable link that opens the prototype in a browser. The reviewer does not need to install anything. If your tool exports to HTML (like Framer or Axure), you can upload the files to Linkyhost for hosting with a clean URL, password protection, and view tracking.
Can I prototype without a design tool?
Yes. You can write a simple prototype in HTML/CSS using a code editor or AI tool. For basic click-through prototypes, create separate HTML pages and link them together with buttons. Host the files on Linkyhost and share the link.
When should I prototype vs when should I just build?
Prototype when the design is uncertain, when stakeholder alignment is needed, or when the interaction is complex enough that static mockups cannot communicate it. Skip prototyping and build directly when the design is straightforward, the team is aligned, and the cost of iteration in code is low.