subject: Web Design And Development - Is There A Difference? [print this page] Designer. Developer. If you're hunting for someone to build your website, you probably see these two words used almost interchangeably. But what's the difference? And does it matter which type you work with?
Website design
Website design can, in essence, simply mean the look of your site. That's all the layout, buttons, logos, typography etc. Anything visual before you start getting your hands messy with the guts of the code.
In fact, some designers will create website layouts as image files, then outsource the coding to third-parties.
That's not to say that designers don't build websites. In fact, "website design" has become a catch-all term for the building of websites. But, it's important to note that, strictly speaking, design doesn't include the coding.
That's the site code and scripting that does the grunt work for your visitors. Things like shopping carts, payment processing, subscriptions, content uploads and so on.
Developers may also have the skills to build bespoke applications or software to work alongside your site (such as CRM tools or a content management system).
But, as with code-friendly designers, many development companies will also be able to expertly create the visual side of a site.
Which one is better to work with then?
There is no "better". Design and development are both crucial to a successful website.
Pure designers may have very little technical website building experience. If you work only with designers and expect the site functions to work, that's a little like fixing a broken car by focusing on the paintwork.
Having said that, using pure developers for the design role is like asking a mechanic to paint you a picture.
Examine your project requirements.
If you need a site that handles heavy traffic and payment processing, for example, then you probably want to work with website developers, as well as designers.
If you need someone to create a simple static website of just a few pages, then it probably doesn't matter if they lack development expertise.
Either way, make sure you know what kind of skill levels a company has before proceeding. Don't assume that designers have the skills to create websites. Look for a business with experience in both design and development, and you won't go far wrong.
