Web Site Design: Web Developers vs. Web Designers, What's the Difference?

Summary : Terms like web design, website design and web development have become quite common, but not everyone understands the distinction.

Terms like web design, website design and web development have become quite common, but not everyone understands the distinction. Even if one does not belong to the IT industry, the services of a web developer or web designer are needed at some time. More and more businesses seek professional website developers and designers to build their online identity, so it is important to understand which professional best suits your needs.

Web Development

Website development is the backbone of creating a web presence. Web development refers to the high-level coding that create such elements such as bulletin boards, chat rooms, content management software, ecommerce shopping cart software and more. Think of web site development as the engine that powers an interactive, or cutting-edge web site. Website developers are the professionals to seek when you need enhanced functionality of an existing site, or a cutting-edge interactive new website. While you may be unsure how to create a feature on your site, a good web developer will understand your need, and, employing high-level coding and technology, translate your idea into reality.

Web Design

Web design, on the other hand, refers more to the organization of graphics and content. To be certain, web designers should have some coding skills as well, typically HTML, but typically not as advanced as a web developer. A web designer must understand your visitor's intent in order to create a highly usable website. The ease of navigation, degree of user-friendliness and accessibility of content are critical aspects that enhance the popularity of a website. Good web designers also consider the download speed of their creation. Ideally, the website should be designed load quickly, and provide information in an attractive manner. Websites loaded with extensive graphics may be visually appealing, but unless designed efficiently, take very long to load. This can result in a lose of audience, so any good web designer will balance the need for exciting visuals with functional constraints.

In a nutshell, what you need for your site determines which professional is best for the job. If you have a site already and need more sophisticated features, or desire a cutting-edge new site, you need a web developer. If, however, your needs are more basic, and you need a functional, content-driven site, or to simply spruce up the appearance of your current site, a web design firm fits the bill.