Web designers and web developers play an important role in creating websites, but their specializations and skills differ. Knowing the differences between these roles is critical to finding the right person for your projects. Continue reading to understand the distinctions between web designer vs web developer.
Web Designer vs Web Developer
Web designers are responsible for a website’s look and feel, making it visually appealing and easy to use. On the other hand, web developers focus on the functionality of a website. They handle the coding and programming behind the scenes.
What are the Key Responsibilities of a Web Designer?
As mentioned earlier, web designers focus on your site’s visual appeal. Their goal is to achieve an aesthetically pleasing design while ensuring a user-friendly experience. Web Designers are mainly involved with:
- Conceptualizing creative ideas
- Creating designs, guidelines, and best practices
- Defining the website functionalities and features
- Identifying opportunities to enhance the user experience
What are the Types of Web Designers?
Web designer jobs have three main aspects, such as:
1. User Experience (UX) Designer
UX designers ensure that users have a delightful experience while browsing your website. They develop layouts based on user feedback and data gathered about your target audience. Aside from website design, UX designers can also perform the following tasks:
- App design
- Software design
- Sitemap
- Service design
- Information Architecture
2. User Interface (UI) Designer
UI designers focus on individual interactions that users have within the website. They evaluate the features of your website and anticipate how the target audience will perceive them while exploring the site.
3. Visual Designer
Visual designers handle both the user interface and the user experience. They ensure your website has the right blend of aesthetically pleasing elements and user-friendly functionality. Visual designers fix design issues and ensure the website remains relevant to the company’s brand.
Depending on where you are in the design process, you might need to hire one, two, or all three roles to make your website beautiful and easy to navigate.
Skills Required for Web Designers
Below are the skills that good web designers must possess:
- HTML and CSS
- Prototyping and Wireframing skills
- User Experience (UX) design and interactive design
- Page layout
- Typography
- Motion graphics
- Ability to Create Responsive Design
- Marketing and Communication Design
Web Designer Tools
Below are some tools that web designers use. Different providers offer each of these tools. Web designers’ choices depend on their organization, familiarity with specific technologies, and budget.
- Content management system (CMS)
- Graphics editor
- Screen design tools
- Project management software
- Wireframing tools
- Debugging tools
- Internal communication tools
- User testing tools
How Much Do Web Designers Charge?
Typically, web designers pay about $75 per hour. A company website could cost $5,000 to $10,000 for the setup, design, build, and content creation. This figure also includes maintenance and training for the client. You should also note that a fully-customized website will cost you more.
What are the Main Responsibilities of a Web Developer?
Web developers focus on building and maintaining a website. Their primary objective is to create functional websites that give users the best experience. In short, web developers make website design and ideas into reality.
Web developers are primarily responsible for:
- Creating a website using JavaScript, PHP, and other web programming languages, with the help of some basic HTML and CSS
- Testing and debugging a website’s code
- Writing efficient code
- Maintaining software documentation
- Working closely with the web designers and project managers to achieve the project’s vision and goals
What are the Types of Web Developers
Like web designers, web developers will also typically have an area of specialization or a focus. Here are the three types of web developers:
1. Backend Developer
Backend developers handle all of your website’s background processes. Databases, server frameworks, and complex programming languages such as PHP, Java, and Ruby are examples. They ensure the site works correctly and stays operational over time.
2. Frontend Developer
Frontend developers create everything that a user sees when engaging with a website. They build the visual elements on your pages using Javascript, HTML, CSS, and other coding languages.
Much of their job overlaps with the design team, and they frequently cooperate with designers when developing new features or sections for a website.
3. Full-Stack Developer
A full-stack developer can do all of the tasks above. Depending on where they are needed, they can work on both the frontend and the backend of your website. They’re a jack-of-all-trades web developer.
When comparing web designer vs web developer, whether for research or a project, it is crucial to understand the distinct characteristics each role offers.
Skills Required for Web Developers
Now, look at the abilities required to be a competent web developer.
- Frontend coding languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript
- Backend coding languages like PHP, Java, and Ruby
- Experience with CMS and eCommerce platforms
- Experience with APIs
- Project management
- Analytical skills
- Creative problem solving
- Communication skills
- Multitasking ability
Web Developer Tools
A web developer must be adept at using these tools.
- Code editors
- Version control systems
- Web application frameworks
- Frontend application frameworks.
- API tools
- Prototyping tools
- Project management software
How Much Do Web Developers Charge?
According to recent reports, the average web developer salary in the US ranges between $60,000 and $90,000. The numbers, however, depend on location, knowledge, and experience.
Which One Should You Hire?
Hopefully, you will know the differences between web designer vs web developer by now. Again, both jobs are essential in website creation. Web developers handle technical aspects like coding and programming, while web designers concentrate on aesthetics such as layout, colors, and font style. Together, they ensure the website looks appealing and functions seamlessly.
If you are looking for competent UX/UI designers for your website project, Penji can help! Watch the demo now to learn how Penji works regarding website design, graphics, illustrations, and other design needs.
