Many people think that web design and development are the same things. This is not true. Designers create a website’s layout, color scheme, and graphics while developers code the site to function according to their specifications. Developers also implement all of the codings for dynamic functionality like social media buttons and interactive maps. A designer can’t do this without help from a developer- they both play an important role in bringing your site idea to life!
What is Web Designing?
Web designing is the process of building websites and applications with HTML, CSS and sometimes JavaScript. Website designers are like artists; they create original and visually compelling designs using design software such as PhotoShop, Illustrator or InDesign. The website designer’s main focus is the site’s appearance while making sure that the site looks nice on all web-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, etc).
Although this may vary from designer to designer, generally the web design process involves:
Marketing and Usability Research – learning as much about your target audience as you can through research on competitors, conducting surveys and interviews, etc.
Idea Development – creating a list of ideas for the website based on what you have learned about your audience.
Creating Thumbnails – sketching out wireframes for each page using thumbnails (quickly drawn wireframes).
Design Iteration – refining and expanding the design as you learn more based on client feedback and any new ideas that may have come up during the process. The UX Designer would take this part of the design process over if they are involved. Coding – taking the final design and turning it into a live website (usually involving HTML5, CSS and JavaScript).
What is Web Development?
Web development is the process of making a web application function according to the specifications created by the UX designer during the design stages. Developers take care of both front end and back end functions of a web application and work closely with the UX designer to create (and test) the most seamless experience possible for users.
Web development involves:
Coding – creating all of the HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript required to make your site function properly.
Testing – testing out different functionalities on different browsers, devices and platforms to find bugs and fix them.
Deployment – taking the final product and pushing it to a server where the site’s URL is live on the web so that users can find it.
Are Web Design and Web Development the Same?
No, web design and development are definitely not the same thing! Web designers create graphics and layouts for websites while web developers use code to make those designs function. Many people think that designing a website is just making it look pretty but if your site doesn’t work properly then your business will suffer from lost customers and fewer sales.
Both designers and developers have important roles in the creation of a website, but knowing when to use either one is crucial. If you’re unsure as to whether or not you need a web designer or developer for your business, it’s best to work with a web design company NJ that can provide both services.
Key differences between web design and development:
Web Designers create the graphics, layout and visual design of the website while Web Developers code front-end (HTML/CSS) and back-end (server side languages like PHP or Ruby on Rails) functions.
Web Designers’ focus is solely on the aesthetics of a site while Web Developers are responsible for both function and form. On average it takes 4-6 weeks for a dedicated designer and developer to build an entire website from the ground up.
A non-technical business owner or marketing manager can usually handle the responsibilities of a web designer while it would take 2+ years of intense training for someone with no coding experience to become a qualified front-end web developer.
So now that you know the difference between web design and development, you can better decide which one you need to make your website work the way it should. If you need a website for your business, contact us!
We are a reputed web design agency in New Jersey that specializes in designing highly interactive, responsive websites that are completely customizable to the needs of your business.