Web design and web development are both essential for the creation of an easy-to-use, visually engaging website.
If you are planning, operating, or marketing a website for your healthcare or medical business, it’s likely you have a degree of familiarity with the work of both designers and developers. These two disciplines can sometimes be confused, however they have some important differences.
To run a successful website that will draw in visitors and help convert them to loyal patients, an understanding of both design and development is essential. Find out more with our handy guide below.
Did you know we offer in-house services for both website design and development? Arrange a free call with our team at practiceedge today.
What Does a Web Designer Do?
Web designers are focused on the usability and aesthetics of a website. Their work is about what users see on a website rather than the background systems and codes that make the website work.
A successful web design will be easy for users to digest and navigate, relevant to the brand and audience, and visually pleasing. Here’s how web designers make that possible:
- They adhere to key guidelines or aspects of web design, including user interface (UI) and user experience (UE).
- Their relevant components or deliverables include the website layout, information flow, colour scheme, graphic design, logo design, typography, wireframes, mockups and storyboards.
- They use content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Shopify to help create websites for clients. These platforms offer flexibility and control for both designers and clients, however, they generally still require input from developers.
- They use a range of tools, including web applications like Figma for mockups, prototyping and collaborative design work; and software like Adobe Photoshop, XD and Illustrator to create graphics, logos, and other design elements.
- Overall, web designers care more about visual aspects like layout, colours, and imagery than coding. However, they often have some familiarity with coding technologies like hypertext markup language (HTML) and cascading style sheets (CSS), as these can help with design work and mockups.
- They keep up to date with new design trends, including modern responsive design techniques, that allow website layouts to automatically adapt to different devices and screen sizes.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
Web developers are focused on the mechanisms that allow a website to work as it should. They generally fall into two categories: front-end designers, who bring website designs to life through coding; and back-end designers, who oversee the storage and management of website data.
All developers help realise a designer’s vision for a website and use code to keep the website functional. Here is what their work involves:
Front-End Developers
Front-end (or client-side) developers have a big impact on what users see and interact with on a website. A web designer will provide mockups and visual assets, then a developer will integrate these elements into the design and functionality of the website. They do this by writing code, including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They also leverage a wide range of tools, including CSS preprocessors; JavaScript frameworks; libraries like jQuery, Git and GitHub for version control; and search engine optimisation (SEO).
Back-End Developers
Back-end (or server-side) developers are responsible for managing a website’s database and ensuring the contents can be served up for display on the front end. The tools and skills they use include programming languages like Java, Python and PHP; data management systems; and authentication and security technology.
Full-Stack Developers
Full-stack developers combine the best of both worlds above. They are skilled in both back-end and front-end web development, from UI and UX design to server and data management.
Web Developers
Web developers are not responsible for design elements like layouts, colours or imagery, however, they often acquire a level of familiarity with the basics of UI and UX while working with designers.
Web Design v Web Development: Key Differences
Designers and developers often work in tandem and learn from each other’s skill sets. However, they have some key differences.
1. Aesthetics and Functionality
These two fields have fundamentally different purposes. Web design is centred on the visual appeal and usability of a website, whereas web development uses coding and programming to ensure functionality.
2. Coding
Most web designers aren’t programmers and aren’t required or able to write code. They usually rely on developers to bring their concepts to life, except in some cases where a business is using a ‘no code’ website builder like GoDaddy, Squarespace, and Wix.
3. Visual Assets
Web designers are usually not responsible for or proficient in the creation of visual assets. Instead, they take the assets and mockups provided by designers and translate them into code using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
4. Skill Sets and Rates
Overall, designers and developers have different training, skill sets and go-to toolkits. It’s also usually more costly to hire developers, due to the training involved and high demand for technical coding skills.
Now, For Key Similarities
1. Goals
Both good design and development are needed to create a functional website that will make sense and look good to users. If design is neglected, the website will feel incohesive. But without development, the visuals can’t translate and the website won’t be operational.
2. User Experience
User experience should be a key – if not the primary – focus when building a website, as people who enjoy spending time there are more likely to spend with and be loyal to the business. Designers and developers both return to the question: What will users think of this?
3. Soft Skills
The technical skills required by these fields are different. However, both designers and developers work with a range of people and across different projects, making soft skills essential. These soft skills include problem-solving, time management, attention to detail, and strong communication.
Web Design and Development Is a Cinch With practiceedge
Need some help with the design or build of your website? Never fear, as our experienced team offers a range of website solutions, including an all-in-one package covering both design and development. Our design team will work with you to produce concepts and content, then our developers can turn your approved design into a winning website. At practiceedge, we design and develop websites in-house, making us your one-stop-shop!
If you’d like further information on our web design and development services, contact us to arrange a free 30-minute discovery call.
