Increasing your sales and growing your business is not just about knowing how to build a website. It’s also about how to market it. There are several key points that most people get wrong when they first hire a web designer or developer.
Sure, they both create websites, but wouldn’t it be nice to know if your project is better suited for one or the other?
In this blog post, we’ll walk through some important differences between the web designer and web developer, and also we will help you decide which one is right for your project.
Difference between a Web Developer and a Web Designer
Many people are still unable to tell the difference between the two types of work that exist today. While web designers and web developers collaborate to bring new websites to the internet, their duties are separate. These roles are often confused, but they aren’t the same. Here is a quick description of each role and the key differences.
What is web development exactly?
The process of creating, implementing, and maintaining websites and web applications is referred to as web development. What it is: the process of making the website functional from the initial wireframe by making it load quickly and give a consistent experience for the end-user.
Who is a Web Developer exactly?
There is a significant demand for developers in the industry, making this a well-liked and well-paying profession. One of the primary reasons for this is the wide range of abilities that a competent programmer needs to have to get work in the field.
Web developers use a variety of computer languages to create and maintain websites. The tasks they are given will determine the programming languages they use.
There are two basic areas of web development: front-end and back-end development. Working on the front and back ends of websites, as well as providing input on user experience and business logic are all responsibilities of a full-stack developer.
Web Development Roles
Web development encompasses how the site will look and how it functions. There are many roles within web development so let’s consider the functions that web developers execute in each role.
Front-End Developer
As a front-end developer, you’re in charge of creating a mockup of the website. For the layout, aesthetic elements, and interactivity on the site, a front-end developer will use a range of computer languages (mostly HTML, CSS, and JavaScript).
Back-End Developer
A back-end developer, often known as an engineer, is responsible for designing and maintaining the programs that power the front-end. The server, application, and database management are all included in this. Back-end developers work with server-side languages like PHP, Python, Ruby, and Java.
Full-Stack Programmer
One who is well-versed in both front-end and back-end development is known as a “full-stack” developer. When working with a full-stacker, you can rest assured that the website’s front-end and back-end are well-integrated. In addition, full-stack developers may be expected to recommend and maintain best practices, predict technological challenges, and contribute to the overall development plan.
What is web design exactly?
It is the practice of gathering and arranging internet information in order to create a website’s visual elements.
User experience and information architecture have become increasingly important components of modern web design, in addition to traditional aesthetic considerations. The success of your website in search engines like Google can be directly impacted by the design of your website.
What is a web designer exactly?
A web designer is in charge of designing a website’s aesthetics. Color theory, graphic design, typography, and information flow are typically the expertise of the individual.
In addition to designing user interfaces, web designers need to understand and interpret the needs and motivations of the target audience. As a result, visitors are more likely to come back for more, and conversions increase. Web designers follow web design trends to create better user experiences.
Web Design Roles
The days of being a “jack of all trades” designer are long over. The web design industry is now filled with specialists in every area, from design and development to UX and content writing. Here’s a quick rundown of the key roles you’ll find in most agencies. In a variety of settings, web designer could be responsible for the following duties.
User Interfaces (UI) Designers
- A UI designer is tasked with creating user interfaces that are easy to use and visually appealing, based on the findings of user experience designers. A user’s interaction with a computer, smartphone, or car dashboard is the responsibility of UI designers, regardless of the technology.
User Experience (UX) Designers
- Users’ and potential users’ demands are taken into account by UX designers in order to create user personas and conduct usability testing, while UI designers are responsible for designing the UI of the site. In addition, a user experience designer must make sure that the website is well-organized, that all interactions are simple to understand, and that all of the users’ requirements are met.
UX designers think about how things work together, while UI designers are heavily focused on details like typography and color palettes. Both are important for creating a good product.
Visual Designers
- For the most part, the job of a visual designer can be regarded as an amalgamation of the responsibilities of a graphic designer and user interface designer. Many visual designers have a strong background in graphic design, branding, and visual communication. They are responsible for everything from font and layout to spacing and graphics.
Which Should You Hire?
Many small business owners think that they need to hire a web designer and web developer separately. And while this can be true in some cases, many times you don’t need to do that. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two so you can decide what is best for your business.
When You Should Hire a Web Designer?
A web designer’s job is the visual part of a website – how it looks and feels. They work with graphics and colors and are responsible for building the overall structure of the site and its pages. Their main responsibility is creating a visually appealing site that will attract visitors’ attention as well as keep them on the site long enough to convert them into paying customers.
When You Should Hire a Web Developer?
A web developer is more focused on building the technical foundation of your website, which includes things like programming languages, database management, content management, hosting services, and more. The first thing you’ll want to do is figure out exactly what kind of web development skills you need for your project.
The reason for this is because there are many different types of developers and each one has its own niche. You need to hire a developer if you don’t want to learn how to code yourself or work with someone who knows how. You might want to hire someone if you’re having trouble getting your website built on your own. They have expertise in coding and building websites that you don’t have, so they can get the job done faster than you could on your own.
Conclusion
We can’t say, without a doubt, what one title is better than the other. It really depends on the person and the company hiring. But if you had to narrow down your search between a web designer and a web developer, it’s key to keep this difference in mind: Web designers are more concerned with how something looks, while web developers are more concerned with how something functions. The main takeaway here is that you need both people on your team: without one or the other, you might risk negatively affecting your website’s design and development.
