What’s the difference between web design and web development?
Is there a difference? When you finally capture a glimpse of the finished website you’re witnessing the product of a combined effort.
Your customers want a website that’s both easy to access and captures their attention. Great websites must deliver even better web development and design. Designing for inspiration and setting the foundation for easy navigation are some of the best web development practices to follow.
Is there a difference between a web designer and a web developer?
The short answer is yes.
A web designer and a web developer are two different positions that need to work harmoniously with each other to accomplish the same goal.
A web designer uses graphics and graphic design software, such as; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc. to create the overall look and feel of the website.
The web developer builds the website from the ground up, most commonly using their coding skills, which often include; HTML, CSS, JQuery, JavaScript, and PHP. The web developer’s job is to create a perfectly functioning website that stays true to the design provided by the web designer.
A common metaphor for the relationship between a web designer and a web developer would be building a skyscraper. In this scenario, the architecture is the web designer. They provide the blueprints and design for the structure. The web developer would be the construction team, which is responsible for building the skyscraper to the architecture’s (web designer) exact details, while at the same time using best practices.
Ultimately, the web designer and the web developer are trying to achieve the same goal, to create a properly functioning website that engages and attracts users. The best way to achieve this is to have a web designer and web developer working in harmony with a clear understanding of their end goal.
Can the web designer and web developer be the same person?
Absolutely.
This is most common in people who freelance as a one-person operation. They design the website, and then, they code the website themselves. Being able to do both is highly beneficial but less common, and a reason for this might be that it’s commonly noted that design is for right-brained people while development (programming) is for left-brained people. Right-brained people are often artistic, creative, and imaginative, while left-brained people are analytical, strategic, and technical.
The gap between the two professions is absolutely shortening as it becomes increasingly easier to learn both development and design with all the online resources now available. People who mastered design are now able to easily learn development and developers are now easily able to learn design through many online tools, such as; Codecademy, udemy, treehouse, and many more.
Is your competition’s website better than yours?
We can help you with both web development and design. Learn more about our marketing programs and contact Oyova — a St. Petersburg web design, content marketing, social media management, and eCommerce web development company.