Are you considering a career in web design or web development but need clarification on the differences between the two?
Or you’re a business owner trying to decide which type of professional to hire for your website needs. Either way, it’s essential to understand the key differences between web designers and web developers.
In this article, we’ll break down the roles and responsibilities of each profession and the skills and tools they use to help you determine the right fit for you. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or want to understand the web design and development process better, this article has you covered. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of web design and web development.
A quick comparison of Web designers and Web developers
Web designers and web developers are crucial to creating and maintaining websites, but they have different areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Web designers handle a website’s visual aspect. They use various design software and techniques, such as HTML and CSS, to create a website’s layout, colour scheme, and overall aesthetic. Web designers often work on the front end of a website, meaning they focus on the user interface and how it looks and feels to the user.
On the other hand, web developers are responsible for a website’s technical aspects. They use programming languages such as JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby to build and maintain the back end of a website, including its functionality and performance.
Web developers may also work on the front end of a website, but their primary focus is on the behind-the-scenes technical aspects that make a website run smoothly.
Web designers: What do they do?
A web designer is a professional responsible for a website’s visual design and layout. They use graphic design skills and coding languages such as HTML and CSS to create a website’s overall look and feel.
Web designers often work on the front end of a website, meaning they focus on how the website looks and functions for the user. It includes creating the layout, color scheme, and overall aesthetic of the website and ensuring that it is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
To be a successful web designer, it’s essential to have a strong foundation in graphic design principles and understand how to use design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
It’s also helpful to have a basic knowledge of coding languages like HTML and CSS and understand user experience (UX) design principles. It’s common for web designers to specialize in a particular area or type of design. Some typical specialties within web design include:
User experience (UX) design: This specialty focuses on creating websites that are easy to use and provide a positive user experience. UX designers focus on things like navigation, layout, and overall usability.
User interface (UI) design: This specialty focuses on the look and feel of a website, including elements such as color scheme, typography, and graphic design. UI designers work to create visually appealing and cohesive designs that are consistent with a brand’s style guidelines.
Responsive design: This specialty involves designing websites that are optimized for viewing on a variety of devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Responsive designers must consider how a website looks and functions on different screen sizes and resolutions.
E-commerce design: This specialty involves designing websites for online stores and e-commerce platforms. E-commerce designers must consider product layout, checkout flow, and payment gateways.
Motion graphics design: This specialty involves creating animated and video content for websites. Motion graphics designers use software such as Adobe After Effects to create dynamic, visually appealing content.
Web developers: what do they do?
A web developer is responsible for building and maintaining the technical aspects of a website.
Programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and others create the functionality and performance of a website.
Web developers typically work on the backend of a website, focusing on the technical aspects that make a website run smoothly and efficiently.
To become a successful web developer, it’s essential to have a strong foundation in various programming languages and an understanding of web development principles.
It’s also helpful to have a sense of user experience (UX) design and an ability to think logically and troubleshoot technical issues. Web developers may specialise in front-end, back-end, mobile, and full-stack development.
Front-end developer: A front-end developer is responsible for building the user interface of a website. They use programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the layout and design of a website, as well as to add interactivity and functionality. Front-end developers work on the client side of a website, meaning they create the part of the website that users see and interact with within their web browsers.
Back-end developer: A back-end developer is responsible for building the server side of a website. They use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, and Python to create the functionality and performance of a website.
Full-stack developer: A full-stack developer has expertise in both front-end and back-end development. They can work on all aspects of a website, from the visual design to the technical functionality. Full-stack developers are often well-rounded professionals with a broad understanding of web development principles and technologies. Take the Full Stack Developer Course to know more.
DevOps engineer: A DevOps engineer is responsible for deploying and managing web applications. They work with development and operations teams to automate a website’s or application’s build, test, and release processes.
Is it better to hire a web designer or a web developer?
The decision to hire a web designer or a web developer depends on the specific needs of your project. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding which type of professional to hire:
Visual design: If your project involves creating or updating the graphic design of a website, you’ll likely want to hire a web designer. Web designers are responsible for the layout, colour scheme, and overall aesthetic of a website, as well as creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to help clients visualise the final product.
Functionality and performance: If your project involves building or updating the technical aspects of a website, you’ll likely want to hire a web developer. Web developers are responsible for building and maintaining the back end of a website, including things like database management, server-side scripting, and integration with external APIs.
Content management: If you need help managing and updating the content on your website, hire a web designer or a web developer with experience with content management systems (CMS). Both web designers and developers can work with CMS to help clients update and maintain their websites.
Mobile development: If your project involves building a mobile app or a mobile-responsive website, you’ll want to hire a mobile developer. Mobile developers specialise in creating optimised apps and websites for mobile devices.
How do you know when you need a web designer or developer?
Working with a web design agency is often beneficial when building a website from scratch. The agency will likely have a team of web designers and developers who can work together to create a cohesive and functional website.
Working with an agency can also be helpful if you have limited time or technical expertise, as the agency can handle all aspects of the website creation process.
Using a website builder like the Fynd platform, Wix, etc., can be a good option if you want to build a website but need extensive coding knowledge.
The Fynd platform provides pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop tools that make it easy to create a primary webpage without coding.
However, if you want a website with more advanced functionality or a unique design, it may be more appropriate to work with a web designer or web developer.
Summary
Web designers and developers are critical professionals in web design and development but have different areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Web designers are responsible for a website’s visual design and layout, using tools such as HTML and CSS to create the look and feel of the site. On the other hand, web developers are responsible for a website’s technical functionality and performance, using programming languages such as JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby to build and maintain the back end of a website.
Ultimately, the decision to work with a web design agency, use a website builder, or hire a web designer or web developer will depend on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. It’s essential to carefully consider your options and choose the best solution for your project goals and resources.