What is the Difference between Website Design and Development?
Web design vs. web development: What’s the difference?
Website design refers to the appearance, layout, and content of a website. While Website development refers to the building and maintenance of the website. It is what happens behind the scenes to make a website look great. Web design is an aspect of web development.
What is the role of a Web Designer?
The main responsibility of web designer is to ensure that they are creating an appealing website to catch the attention of their target audience. Web Designers are responsible for building the interface, navigation, and aesthetic of websites for businesses and clients. For example, a bakeshop hires a web designer for them to showcase their products online and be able to make sales online as well. A web designer will have to come up with designs that will attract customers who are looking into buying cakes or pastries. The color theme, the photos that they upload, and the content of the website will all have to do something with baking, cakes, pastries, etc.
Three Types of Web Designers.
There are Three Types of Web Designers. It is best that you know what type you need for your business.
User Experience Web Designer (UX).
A good UX designer does not only understand the importance of content hierarchy but is constantly thinking about what will make a successful end product. A UX is responsible for creating the skeleton of the webpage, which includes the content hierarchy, information architecture, wireframes, and prototypes.
2. Interaction Designer.
An interaction designer’s main task is to create consistency throughout the product through interpretation of the wireframes created by the UX. An example of his/her responsibility will be creating an engaging interface.
3. Visual Designer.
Also known as the User Interface Designer. They are the ones who select the style guide of a webpage which includes colors, paragraph styles, font sizing, logo, and any iconography.
So, have you decided yet on what type of web designer you need? It’s always easier to decide when you are able to speak with someone who can help you decide.
The Skill Sets of a Web Designers
To further give you an understanding, here are the skill sets of a web designer that you should consider:
Imagination
Creativity
Patience
Attention to detail
Analytical skills
Communication skills
Technical ability
Excellent IT skills
SEO knowledge
Experience in using programs such as Photoshop and InDesign
The Role of a Web Developer
And now that we’ve covered the web designer, let’s find out what the role of the web developer is. A web developer is responsible for programming the code that “tells” a website how to function. They build websites that are “user-friendly” or easy to navigate by those that will use them. They also build functions within a website - for example, a form that will capture the email of the client, a paywall for payment details, and even the thank you message that the customer will receive after they navigate through the website.
Different types of Web Developers
There are different types of web developers. Again, it is good to know which one you need if you’re looking into hiring one.
Front-end Developer.
Also known as a front-end web developer is responsible for the design and implementation of the interface.
2. Back-end Developer.
Focuses on details like building an effective website architecture, scripting, and writing code that serves as a means of communication between the website’s database and the browser the site visitor is using.
3. Full-stack Developer.
A Full Stack Developer is associated with the creation of an application from its start to finish. He designs the front-end and the backend of an application while ensuring its efficiency, reliability, and other crucial features.
Deciding on what type of web developer you need can be stressful especially if you’re a start-up company that is very new in the world of the internet and social media. With that said, we are happy to let you know that there is a company that will provide you with the help you need in building your company from ground zero up.
The Skill Sets of a Web Developer
And just like the web designer, the web developer also has skill sets that you need to consider when you’re looking for one:
Computer literacy
Strong numeracy skills
Strong creative ability
Attention to detail
Strong communication skills
Excellent problem-solving skills
A logical approach to work
The ability to explain technical matters clearly
A keen interest in technology
Ongoing self-learning is key to developing in this role or any other role for that matter. Every day is an opportunity to learn new things, apply these learnings to what we have been accustomed to, and continue to level up our skills and be able to give more to our clients. We would be more than happy to help you more if you still have questions, hesitations or simply don’t know where to start. Book a call with us today.