Web Designer vs. Web Developer: What’s the Difference?

Introduction

Today, every business needs to have a workable website to be successful in the digital era. As you begin the website creation process, you may find yourself weighing whether you want to hire a web designer or a web developer. While these jobs are sometimes confused, these roles are quite a bit different when it comes to an actual website. 

At GemsDevs, we do both web design and web development so you don’t have to spend time looking for both. Ways to understand the difference between a web designer and a web developer will follow in the next text as you continue to think about hiring some freelancers. 

What is a Web Designer?

A web designer’s focus is primarily on the visual look and the user experience (UX) of a website. A web designer will create the layout, color palette, typography and designs to ensure that the website looks good and is easy to use. 

Responsibilities of a Web Designer:

• Wireframing and visual mockup
• Color palette and typography
• User interface (UI) and user experience (UX)
• Mobile responsiveness and accessibility
• Communicate the visual design to developers 

Skills Required for a Web Designer:

• Proficient with design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Figma and Sketch
• Some working knowledge of HTML and CSS (basic coding)
• Understand basic UI/UX principles
• Ability to communicate a visual story
• Experience with prototyping tool

What is a Web Developer?

A web developer transforms the designs of a web designer into a live, functional website. A web developer writes code, creates interactions, and keeps the website functioning across devices and in different browsers. 

Responsibilities of a Web Developer:

• Writing and testing code,
• Developing features,
• Bug fixes and debugging,
• Security of the website,
• Performance improvements. 

Skills Required for a Web Developer:

• Strong understanding of web development languages (HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, Python, Ruby),
• Some working knowledge of frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js),
• Database knowledge (MySQL, MongoDB),
• Some understanding of the server side,
• Ability to consider and work through issues.

Key Differences Between Web Designers and Web Developers

Do You Need a Web Designer or a Web Developer?

Depending on the project you are taking on, your decision to hire a web designer or web developer will vary.

• You want a visually appealing and user-friendly website but don’t need complex functionality.
• You need a working website with complex features (e-commerce, databases, applications etc.)
• You are sure of a full, functioning website with design experience and functionality. 

The Role of Full-Stack Developers

A full-stack developer has skills in designing and developing. They do both front-end (UI/UX) and back-end (server-side coding) website work.

When to Choose a Full-Stack Developer?

• If you require a singular team to take care of everything
• When working on small or medium-scale projects
• If you’re working on a budget but want design and function

How GemsDevs Can Help

GemsDevs provides professional web design and web development services, as the needs of your business lay out. The process of a basic, elegant web design to more complex coding solutions is seamless with our design service from the first idea to the final launch.

Why Choose GemsDevs?

• Experienced web design and development
• Customized solutions for all businesses 
• SEO-Ready and Mobile-Friendly Websites
• Quick and Secure web development
• Ongoing Support and Maintenance

Conclusion

It is important to understand the differences between web designers and web developers when building a website. While a web designer is concerned with the look-and-feel and user experience of a website, a web developer is coding and in charge of the functionality side of a website. The best option is to have both types of professionals involved in your project, along with a full-stack developer if the whole website is being developed.