Business owners who want to create their first website may be confused by the terms “web design” and “web development.” While interconnected, each discipline serves a purpose in the site creation process. Understanding the differences between the two terms can help you decide which expertise to prioritise.
To make it easier for you to understand the difference between website design and development, below is a simplified discussion:
Web Design
Web design refers to planning, conceptualising, and creating a website’s visual layout and interactive experience. This process encompasses a website’s aesthetic and functional aspects, ensuring it is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
In web design, the web designer focuses on the site’s overall look, including layout, hierarchy, colour schemes, typography, and user interface elements. Web designers are typically proficient in CSS, HTML, Photoshop, JavaScript, and Figma, allowing them to create blueprints and bring ideas to life.
When to Hire?
Consider hiring a web designer first to obtain a clear plan of how you want your website to be. A good design can attract visitors, convey brand identity, and provide a positive user experience. If your priority is brainstorming ideas, making a strong first impression, showcasing a product or service effectively, or if the website’s appearance is a primary concern, prioritize hiring a web designer.
Web Development
While web design focuses on style, web development services structure the site. Aspects like coding, database configuration, and performance checking are standard processes that help make the site accessible and functional for users.
Web developers are proficient in various programming languages, such as JavaScript and Ruby, and use their skills to translate a designer’s ideas into code. They instruct the website on how to work and lay the foundation for strong and reliable pages.
When to Hire?
Web developers are vital in ensuring a website works. Consider hiring a developer if you have a complete blueprint and need help coding the site or maintaining its efficiency and functionality across devices and browsers.
Conclusion
Choosing who to hire first depends on your company’s needs. Prioritising the designer is essential in giving programmers a layout of what to code, while choosing developers first is ideal if you already have a plan that needs solid execution.
However, a successful website relies on the collaboration of both experts. To achieve a fully functioning website that is aesthetically pleasing to users, consider working with a digital marketing service offering design and development packages. Not only does this get you everything you need, but it also saves time and costs.
Need a team of reliable professionals to build a website for you? Visit Emmpressit, an Australian full-service marketing company offering superior web design and development solutions to small businesses. Our commitment to going above and beyond guarantees you can get only the gold standard in website creation, from initial planning to final launch.