Website Designer vs Website Developer. How To Pick the Right One for Business Needs.
Do you currently have a website that needs to be updated? Or what about a new website built from scratch?
If you could benefit from either of these, then you are probably wondering if you need to hire a web designer or a web developer.
This is a question we get asked a lot, so we wanted to put together some informative information explaining the difference between the two. That way you will leave this post feeling confident that you’ll know exactly who to hire for your specific needs.
If you want to learn more about how you could benefit from working with a website designer or if you need a web developer, read on.
Or if you would like some personalized support, you can contact us today for a free consultation to see how Rocket Park can help.
We have an amazing team of designers and developers ready to craft you the perfect custom solution to increase conversions and skyrocket sales.
Feel free to check out our website design and development page or call us at (214) 225-2011 to ignite your online visibility today.
Do you need a website designer or developer?
Well, the truth is, you probably need both depending on your unique needs. You see, web designers and developers work together to create a well-functioning, fully optimized website.
Web designer
A web designer usually comes first in the sequence of creating a website. They don’t actually build your website, but rather create a mock-up of your website’s homepage and internal pages by using design programs like Illustrator or Photoshop. Basically, designers create a prototype of what your website will look like and how it will function when it goes live.
Web developer
So now that you know the web designer creates the aesthetic look of your website, what does a web developer do?
A web developer takes the designer’s mockup and implements it to make it functional.
In short, the developer is the one who writes the code, bringing the designer’s mockup to life. Developers monitor your site and make changes and updates to optimize your website for responsiveness and speed.
Website designer versus developer for eCommerce
We know this “techy” information can be confusing for some, so let’s go over a quick example that will help you better understand the difference between a web designer and a developer.
Let’s say you have an ecommerce site for example.
A web designer creates a visual mockup of your ecommerce site in a design program like Illustrator of how your website should look and feel. They design the images, color choices, page layouts, etc.
They also include in the mockup how all the different pages on your site will function together.
The developer then brings that design to life by coding your website and optimizing it for user experience.
You can think of a web designer as creating the aesthetic shell of your website. A developer then builds your website with code and makes sure it’s functioning the way it should.
Quick Recap
Web design and web development are two completely different roles. However, you need both to bring your website to life. Web designers take care of everything cosmetic, while developers make sure everything functions properly.
A web design cannot function without development, and without a web design, there’s nothing to develop...
So whether you need a brand new website or you are making changes to an existing one, you will probably need both a designer and developer.
Hiring the right designer and developer for the job
Once people realize the difference between website designers and developers, they think they need to hire two different people. But that’s not always the case.
In fact, we recommend hiring a design and development agency that handles all sides of your project for you. When you work with a full-service digital agency like Rocket Park, we not only support you in all your design and development needs, but we can also provide you with a winning marketing strategy as well.
Our team will work together to craft you a stunning website that’s optimized for function and usability by eliminating the disconnect between the design and the development team. This will help ignite your online visibility and really take your business to the next level.
We are here to make things easier for you and to support your success in whatever way we can.
And we think working with a do-it-all agency is the best way for you to have a hassle-free experience that will result in increased online visibility.
And if you have read any of our other posts, you know that online visibility is key to a successful business.
We offer both innovative web design and development solutions because we know how important it is to have a team behind you that understands your whole project (not just pieces) and can implement it effectively and efficiently from beginning to end.
If you feel like you could use the support of a full-service web and marketing agency, in Dallas, TX or anywhere else in the US, Rocket Park is here for you. Feel free to contact us today for a free consultation so we can help craft you the best solution for you and your business.