Web Design vs. Web Development: Which Service Do You Need for Your Website?

With the overall employment of web designers and developers projected to rise by 8% from 2023 to 2033, it's clear that the demand for these two occupations is growing at an incredible speed.

Despite that, many people still use the terms web design and web development interchangeably. While these two fields complement each other significantly, the skill sets, responsibilities, and tools of web designers and developers are completely different.

Whether in charge of a custom healthcare software development company or a FinTech startup, understanding the distinction between these two fields is essential for making the right business decisions. This article will highlight the job descriptions of both website designers and website developers, helping you hire the right professional.

What is web design?

Website design is the first phase of website creation. Its focus is on creating websites that look good, work well, and hook users with unique functionalities. While web designers are tasked with creating visually appealing websites, their job goes far beyond that.

These professionals must be proficient in programs like Figma and Adobe XD to create wireframes, which are blueprints of a site. They also need to be experts in design fundamentals, such as:

• Color theory: There's nothing more efficient for awakening emotions in visitors than colors. They are also indispensable tools for communicating a brand's message, as colors help create a cohesive look.
• Layout: The most user-friendly websites have great layouts, which is something that web designers create.
• Hierarchy: Not all elements of web design are equally important, and hierarchy ensures the most important ones are highlighted.
• Typography: Typography is the most important element of visual communication because it is the textual content users will first encounter.

Types of web designers

‍If you decide to hire web designers, you should learn the difference between three different types of designers. These are:

1. UX designers: Charged with creating a positive user experience (UX), UX designers focus on making the website intuitive for users. By using behavior analytics tools like Hotjar, they can collect website data and make it enjoyable to use.
2. UI designers: These designers prioritize user interface (UI) over other elements, such as website layout. They make decisions with a focus on people's interaction with the site, boosting the site's conversions.
3. Visual designers: Visual designers are not to be confused with graphic designers. Visual designers focus on web and app interface design. They use a mix of UX and UI when creating user-friendly and intuitive websites. 

Web designers always come in handy, but they are crucial when a business wants to establish a strong online presence. Creating a unique brand presence is best achieved through the power of web design and the visual elements it encompasses.‍

What is web development?

‍Web development is the process of constructing the website itself. These professionals translate designs into code and instruct the website on how to work. They lay the foundation for a strong and sound website by using programming languages like PHP, Ruby, and Java.

As people in charge of the technical aspect of website creation, web developers have to write efficient code, test & debug it, and maintain software documentation.

‍Types of web developers

‍Whether you are about to start a tech startup and need some web development services or are looking for a custom healthcare software development company to help develop your healthcare product, know that there are two types of web developers you can hire. These are:

1. Front-end developers: Tasked with the 'client-side' of the website, front-end developers focus on building the visible elements of a website. They mostly use CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to accomplish the task.
2. Back-end developers: Also referred to as 'behind the scenes' workers, back-end developers focus on building the core structure of the website. When hiring back-end developers, it's essential to test their knowledge in advanced programming languages such as SQL, as it's their main tool for coding a website's database and server.

You can also hire full-stack developers, which combine the skills of front-end and back-end developers. Full-stack developers have skillsets that make them more adaptable, but they usually lack in-depth knowledge of developers who specialize in one type of web development.Hiring web developers is a good idea in any scenario, but it's particularly important when trying to scale your business and add special functionalities to your website. Web developers will assess how your site works and look for areas of improvement, fixing any problems they find.

They can also positively impact your site's loading speed, which is proven to have a huge impact on website performance and conversion rate.‍

Key differences between web design and web development

‍While web design and web development greatly complement each other in creating a fully functioning website, they still differ in a number of ways. The following differences encompass the unique focus of each discipline:

‍Objectives: Aesthetics and usability vs. functionality and performance

‍The main difference between web designers and web developers is in the areas they target. The former is concerned with making visual assets that contribute to the site's aesthetic value, while the latter focuses on building a functional website.Whereas web designers focus on creating the visual layout and the overall feel of the website, web developers play a crucial role in creating a website that's responsive and performs well on all devices.

‍Skill sets: Creative and visual tools vs. coding and technical expertise

‍Whether you are thinking of hiring a remote web developer and a freelance web designer or someone who will work on-site as a full-time member, you need to differentiate between the different skill sets the two have. Technical expertise is one of the main ways in which web developers differ from web designers.

Web designers' main duty is to create a site's visual aspects, and their knowledge of tools needs to reflect that. They need to be highly advanced in using tools like Figma, Adobe Photoshop, and Sketch, but they aren't required to know how to write a single line of code. However, most web designers will have some basic knowledge of CSS and HTML. Web developers are coding experts. They are required to be proficient in advanced programming languages. They are masters in tools like Code editors and Web frameworks, which are paramount for website development.Due to more rigorous requirements and the need for technical expertise, web developers usually earn higher salaries than web designers. Finding an experienced web developer can also be challenging, leading many companies to opt for web development outsourcing in hopes of saving time and cutting costs. ‍

Deliverables: Wireframes, mockups, and prototypes vs. live websites and functionalities

‍Web designers use all of their tools and skill sets to deliver wireframes and mockups. They deliver solutions that aren't functional on their own, as they represent a static design of web pages that feature many of its final design elements.Website prototypes and mockups are visual representations of the site's final design. They demonstrate the functionality and interactivity of the future product, making them indispensable tools in every web developer's arsenal.Web developers build websites by writing code. Unlike web designers, who deliver models and prototypes, web developers bring live websites and finished products to the table. They bring functionalities like contact forms and payment gateways to life.

The ability to add all kinds of special features and functionalities to a website makes hiring web developers crucial when developing a tech or SaaS startup. Their rich expertise in back-end & front-end development, complex programming languages, and technical implementation is imperative for any business that wants to develop interactive websites or mobile apps.

How web design and web development work together?

‍Web designers and web developers might have two completely different job descriptions, but they are essential for each other's work. They have an imperative role in creating a seamless and interactive website, as web designers lay the foundation on which web developers can build the actual website.Imagine you wanted to build a website that will attract visitors with both looks and functionalities. Unless you choose to outsource software development, you'll have to hire both a web designer and a web developer.A web designer's role is to work side-by-side with you from the moment you develop an idea in your mind. They will consider your concept and brand values, developing a wireframe and mockup that will give you an accurate idea of what your website will look like. After your feedback, they will tweak the prototypes and hand them over to development.This is where a visual designer's role ends and a web developer's work begins. Armed with the materials they received from web designers, web developers will put their knowledge of coding languages to work. They will bring all the desired functionalities to life and code the structure of a website, encompassing everything from the underlying architecture to interactive elements.In other words, one's work depends on the other one's, as web designers start by creating mockups and then web developers translate those mockups into code.

Since both are essential for creating and maintaining websites, startups can kill two birds with one stone by opting for a service that integrates both web design and web development. It's up to the startup founder to decide how they want to approach it; whether they decide to outsource software development for startups or hire an on-site web designer/web developer hybrid, they can save time and ensure cohesive results by combining the two services into one.

‍When to choose web design, web development, or both

‍Don't know whether to go for web design or web development services? This breakdown might help you decide which one is the right option for you.

‍When do you need a web designer?

‍If you are mostly interested in how your website looks and feels, then you need to be oriented toward web design. You might decide to augment your staff with web designers when:

• Changing your brand image. A web designer will use the right colors and fonts to best showcase your brand and business values.
• Redesigning your website. Web designers specialize in making websites look modern and polished, so they are perfect for giving your site a new face.
• Creating attention-grabbing landing pages. Web designers are your best bet if you want to develop a homepage or a landing page that converts well and calls to action.

When do you need a web developer?

‍If you are more worried about your site's performance and functionality, then you need a web developer. They are experts in adding new functionalities to your website, and they handle all the behind-the-scenes work to ensure your site runs glitch-free. You might decide to hire a web developer on Toptal or one of its competitors when:

• Creating a site that works well on all devices. A web developer will ensure your site is responsive on all smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
• Adding custom features and functionalities. You should contact a web developer if you want to add payment gateways, custom dashboards, or other special features to your site.
• Improve your website's loading speed and performance. Any lags or glitches will be effectively fixed by a web developer.

Realizing you need a web developer is only the beginning; the hard part is finding one that will target your pain points. If you don't want to burden yourself with rounds of extensive interviews, you can always opt for Empat's help. From handling CRM software development to matching you with the right web developer for your project, we equip you with services that perfectly fit your business needs.

Start by contacting us and making good use of our 100% free initial consultations and project estimates, and continue by browsing through our long list of services that include mobile app development and IT outstaffing solutions.‍

When do you need both?

‍Since web designers and developers work together like a well-oiled machine, with one handling the visual aspect and the other on the technical, there are many instances when you'll want to hire both. You might decide to hire both when:

• Building a website from scratch. Since you need a fully functional website that looks good and works glitch-free, you'll need to add both of these professionals to the team.
• Developing an e-commerce website. The creation of e-commerce sites is complex both visually and technically. Apart from hiring both designers and developers, you might even have to outsource software development to someone else.
• Building custom applications. Both designers and developers are necessary when you need to build custom web applications, like company tools.

Conclusion

‍Web designers and developers have two completely different skill sets; whereas one is tasked with creating a prototype of a website that will attract with its looks and colors, the other is focused on bringing that vision to life. Knowing what you want to focus on will help you understand whether you need web development or web design services.Sometimes, there's no need for the either/or mindset, as web designers and developers complement each other. If not sure about the extent of support you need, feel free to contact us. Tell us about your project and we'll equip you with the right services.

‍FAQ

Which is better web design or web development?

Neither web design nor web development is better than the other. They have different job descriptions, as web designers are tasked with the visual aspect of site creation, while web developers handle the technical side of the projects.

Who gets paid more, a web designer or a developer?

Average web designers make less than average web developers. The former make $82,104 per year on average, while the latter get $93,127 per annum. Web development experts need extensive technical knowledge, which is why they usually earn more than web designers.

Can a web developer also be a web designer?

A web developer can also be a web designer – and vice versa. This is possible if a professional studies the tools and techniques necessary for both. However, it's usually better to hire two separate people for web development and web design, as they tend to be more specialized in their respective areas.

Is HTML web design or web development?

HTML falls under the skill sets of web developers, as it's one of the core technologies for front-end development. It's not uncommon for a web designer to have some knowledge of HTML and other tools that web developers use, like CSS.