Development3 min read
Web Design or Website Development: Which Do You Need?
Published by Samsiani
Are you looking to update an existing website or create a new one? You may be wondering how web design differs from website development. These closely related terms often cause confusion. When you need a specific service, it helps to know whether to hire a designer or a developer. Here, we explain the difference so you can work out what your project needs.
Web design and website development: an overview
What is web design?
Web design covers a website's appearance and the layout of its functional elements, bringing them together to create an effective space for your business. A web designer does not build the working website; they use tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator to create visual prototypes of its pages and components.
These prototypes show you how the website will look and give developers a foundation for building it. They also let you review the design and tell the designer what you like, what you do not, and what you want added or removed. Hiring a company with both designers and developers helps bring the visual design and implementation together.
What is web development?
A web designer shapes your website's appearance; a web developer makes that design work. If a homepage design contains three buttons, for example, those buttons need to be programmed to respond correctly when clicked. The same applies to every other element, from contact forms and navigation menus to a simple hyperlink within the text.
The developer's job is to bring the prototype to life and make sure the website works properly. Developers work with content management systems (CMSs), such as WordPress or Joomla, but can also build websites from scratch using technologies such as HTML, PHP and CSS.
Web design versus development: a practical comparison
If you are new to websites or simply want to update yours, it can be difficult to know when to look for a designer and when to look for a developer.
Suppose you are creating a new website:
| Your new website needs: | Who to hire: |
|---|---|
| Help choosing fonts and typography | Web designer |
| Someone to turn your ideas into a visual design | Web designer |
| Advice on whether your required functionality can be implemented | Web developer |
| Someone to build the first working version from the design | Web developer |
| An explanation of the difference between a CMS and HTML | Web developer |
| Help choosing a colour palette | Web designer |
| Help designing the homepage | Web designer |
Now suppose you already have a website and want to make changes:
| Your existing website needs: | Who to hire: |
|---|---|
| A move from a CMS to HTML, or vice versa | Web developer |
| A refreshed brand identity | Web designer |
| A working form or button | Web developer |
| New graphics | Web designer |
| Redirects between pages | Web developer |
| Training on managing website functionality | Web developer |
| Server troubleshooting and repairs | Web developer |
Hiring a team to create or update your website
Although these disciplines have different responsibilities, you do not need to hire separate design and development companies. We recommend an agency that provides both. Hiring designers and developers as one team offers several advantages:
- They work together to make your website both visually appealing and functional.
- Communication is easier because they belong to the same team.
- Teams often offer other marketing services that help you make the most of your website.
- You have one project manager to contact rather than two or more separate people.
Look for a company that brings the services you need together, such as our team at Samsiani, so that communication remains clear and consistent throughout design and development.
