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Not sure if you need a web designer or a web developer? Learn the key differences, how they work together, and what your project actually needs.
According to Statista, the number of web design and development professionals is estimated to increase by 12.6% in ten years. The demand for these two occupations is growing at an incredible rate.
Total number of web developers and digital interface designer jobs in the United States in 2022 and 2032 (in 1,000s). Source: Statista
Despite that, many people still use the terms "web design" and "web development" interchangeably. While these two fields complement each other significantly, the skill sets, responsibilities, and tools of web designers and developers are completely different. So, probably people should ask themselves, "What should I know about web design vs web development?".
Whether in charge of a custom healthcare software development company or a FinTech startup, understanding the distinction between these two fields is essential for making the right business decisions. This article will highlight the job descriptions of both website designers and website developers, helping you hire the right professional.
Website design is the first phase of website creation. Its focus is on creating websites that look good, work well, and hook users with unique functionalities. While web designers are tasked with creating visually appealing websites, their job goes far beyond that.
These professionals must be proficient in programs like Figma, Adobe XD, and Adobe Photoshop to create wireframes, which are blueprints of a site. A successful web designer also needs to have technical expertise in design fundamentals, such as:
If you decide to hire web designers, you should learn the difference between the three types of designers. These are:
Web designers always come in handy, but they are crucial when a business wants to establish a strong online presence. Creating a unique brand presence is best achieved through the power of web design, graphic design, and the visual elements it encompasses.
Web development is the process of constructing the website itself. These professionals translate designs into code and instruct the website on how to work. They lay the foundation for a strong and sound website by using programming languages like PHP, Ruby, and Java.
As people in charge of the technical aspect of website creation, web developers have to write efficient code, test & debug it, and maintain software documentation.
Whether you are about to start a tech startup and need some web development services or are looking for a custom healthcare software development company to help develop your healthcare product, know that there are two types of web developers you can hire. These are:
You can also hire full-stack developers, who combine the skills of front-end development and back-end development. Full-stack developers have skillsets that make them more adaptable website builders, but they usually lack in-depth knowledge of developers who specialize in one type of web development. Hiring web developers is a good idea in any scenario, but it's particularly important when trying to scale your business and add special functionalities to your website. Many web developers will assess how your site works and look for areas of improvement, fixing any problems they find.
They can also positively impact your site's loading speed, which is proven to have a huge impact on website performance, search engine optimization, and conversion rate.
While web design and web development greatly complement each other in creating a fully functioning website, at the same time, web designers and web developers differ in a number of ways. The following differences encompass the unique focus of each discipline:
The main difference between web design and web development is in the areas they target. The former is concerned with making visual assets that contribute to the site's aesthetic value, while the latter focuses on building a functional website. Whereas web designers focus on creating the visual layout and the overall feel of the website, web developers play a crucial role in creating a website that's responsive and performs well on all devices.
Web designers work using all of their tools and skill sets to deliver wireframes and mockups. They deliver solutions that aren't functional on their own, as they represent a visual design of web pages that feature many of their final design elements. Website prototypes and mockups are visual representations of the site's final visual design. They demonstrate the functionality and interactivity of the future product, making them indispensable tools in every web developer's arsenal. Web developers build websites by writing code. Unlike web designers, who deliver models and prototypes, web development process includes bringing live websites and finished products to the table. They bring functionalities like contact forms and payment gateways to life.
The ability to add all kinds of special features and functionalities to a website makes hiring web developers crucial when developing a tech or SaaS startup. Their rich expertise in back-end & front-end development, complex programming languages, and technical implementation is imperative for any business that wants to develop interactive websites or mobile apps.
| Differences | Web designer | Web developer |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | Making visual assets Improving user experience (UX) Improving user interface (UI) |
Building a responsive website Translating visual designs into code Adding special functionalities |
| Skill sets | Proficiency in tools like Figma and Sketch Experts in color theory and typography |
Masters of tools like Code editors Extensive knowledge of programming languages |
| Deliverables | Creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes Visual representations of the site's final design |
Live websites with all the desired features Interactive functionalities |
Web designers and web developers might have two completely different job descriptions, but they are essential for each other's work. They have an imperative role in creating a seamless and interactive website, as web designers lay the foundation on which web developers can build the actual website.
Imagine you want to build a website that will attract visitors with both looks and functionality. Unless you choose to outsource software development, you'll have to hire both a web designer and a web developer. A web designer's role is to work side-by-side with you from the moment you develop an idea in your mind. They will consider your concept and brand values, developing a wireframe and mockup that will give you an accurate idea of what your website will look like. After your feedback, they will tweak the prototypes and hand them over to website development.
This is where a visual designer's role ends and a web developer's work begins. Armed with the materials they received from web designers, web developers will put their knowledge of coding languages to work. They will bring all the desired functionalities to life on the website builder platform and code the structure of a website, encompassing everything from the underlying architecture to interactive elements.
In other words, one's work depends on the other one's, as web designers start by creating mockups and then web developers translate those mockups into code.
Since both are essential for creating and maintaining websites, startups can kill two birds with one stone by opting for a service that integrates both web design and web development. It's up to the startup founder to decide how they want to approach it; whether they decide to outsource software development for startups or hire an on-site web designer/web developer hybrid, they can save time and ensure cohesive results by combining the two services into one.
Don't know whether to go for web design or web development services? This breakdown might help you decide which one is the right option for you.
If you are mostly interested in how your website looks and feels, then you need to be oriented toward web design. You might decide to augment your staff with web designers when:
If you are more worried about your site's performance and functionality, then you need a web developer. They are experts in adding new functionalities to your website, creating the right website's structure and effective website speed to meet the search engine optimization requirements, and they handle all the behind-the-scenes work to ensure your site runs glitch-free. You might decide to hire a web developer on Toptal or one of its competitors when:
Realizing you need a web developer is only the beginning; the hard part is finding one who will target your pain points. If you don't want to burden yourself with rounds of extensive interviews, you can always opt for Empat's help. From handling CRM software development to matching you with the right web developer for your project, we equip you with services that perfectly fit your business needs.
Start by contacting us and making good use of our 100% free initial consultations and project estimates, and continue by browsing through our long list of services that include mobile app development and IT outstaffing solutions
Since web designers and developers work together like a well-oiled machine, with one handling the visual aspect and the other the technical, there are many instances when you'll want to hire both. You might decide to hire both when:
Web designers and developers have two completely different skill sets; whereas one is tasked with creating a prototype of a website that will attract with its looks and colors, the other is focused on bringing that vision to life. Knowing what you want to focus on will help you understand whether you need web development or web design services. Sometimes, there's no need for the either/or mindset, as web designers and developers complement each other. If not sure about the extent of support you need, feel free to contact us. Tell us about your project and we'll equip you with the right services.
Web design focuses on how your website looks and feels — layout, colors, typography, and user experience. Web development, on the other hand, is about how your site works — the coding, structure, and functionality behind the visuals.
In most cases, yes. A designer creates the interface and flow, while a developer brings it to life. Skipping one often leads to a site that either looks great but doesn’t work properly, or works well but fails to engage users.
Some professionals are skilled in both areas (often called full-stack developers), but for complex projects, it’s best to have separate specialists. This ensures stronger visual design and more stable, efficient code.
If you’re still shaping your brand or user experience, start with design. If you already have designs ready and need to make them functional, begin with development. Many agencies offer both, so you can move smoothly from concept to launch.
It depends on the project’s size and complexity. A simple site can take a few weeks, while larger, custom-built platforms may take several months. Clear communication and planning between design and development teams help keep things on track.
Look for a partner that understands both the creative and technical sides. Check their case studies, ask about their process, and make sure they consider your goals, not just the technical task list.
