Web Developer vs Web Designer | 7 significant points you must be aware of
Table of contents
In this blog post, you would know about web designers and web developers. After reading this blog you would be able to choose which one is best for you, what are the salaries of the niche and in the end, you would get some pro tips from us to start your professional carrier. So, let’s start with web developers.
Web Developer
Web development is the art of creating a website on the internet using some tools or languages, and the master of this skill is recognized as a web developer. The website may range from simple to a great advanced level like woo-commerce etc. It is an in-demand skill as the world is shifting online, so businesses are also shifting themselves as a result they need web developers for the task. It is a skill of the time.
Types of Web Developers
There are three types of developers named
Frontend Developer
Backend Developer
Full stack Developer
Let’s discuss these types of developers so that you can decide which developer you want to be
Frontend Developers
Every website contains a front end and a back end. Before proceeding we should be aware of these terms. A front end is an interface displayed to the visitor of the website. Front-end development is programming that focuses on the visual elements of a website or app that a user will interact with (the client side). For any website, it is the thing that matters the most. Suppose you are a user and visit a website that has a bad front end, gives you a weird look, and has no eye-catchy look, would you stay on the website? The answer would be no. Your response is proof of the significance of front-end development. The frontend developers have high salary packages which will be discussed later.
Backend Developers
Working on server-side software, or what you can't see on a website, is what back-end development entails. Databases, back-end logic, application programming interfaces (APIs), architecture, and servers are the main areas of concentration for back-end developers as they work to ensure the website functions properly. It’s all a game of logic. Backend developers deal with different languages to ensure the proper working of a website, but the most popular languages among backend developers are JavaScript and Python. Backend developers have high salaries as compared to frontend developers. There are different tools for them to use to make their life easy that will be discussed in a later part.
Fullstack Developers
Full stack engineers work across the front end as well as the back end of web development, which are two distinct domains that make up a computer system application's whole depth. Everything a client, or site visitor, can see and interact with is included in the front end. The end-user rarely engages directly with the back end, which is all the servers, databases, and other internal architecture that power the program. Full-stack developers are in high demand all across the world and have a handsome amount of money also, companies prefer full-stack developers over backend and frontend developers. So, it can be stated as a highly encouraging niche to learn.
The Role of a Web Developer
It is a world of computers and every business is shifting online as it is the only way of survival for businesses. In this modern era, the need for a good web developer arises, as every business wants a good website so that it can attract the attention of the visitors and they can be convinced to buy products or services. Website creation is at its peak nowadays just because of Covid 19 all work was shifted online also people preferred online shopping which was a major concern for businesses. It is a job of demands and multinationals are looking for good developers. If you are a good developer you would be hired in no time.
Best tools for Web Development
Web development is a very vast field and different developers use different tools keeping in view their feasibility and necessity but if you are a developer then here you would be told about some shortcuts that can make your life easy and are encouraged by developers too. If you want simple drag-and-drop features you can use WordPress which provides you with a basic understanding of development, and is recommended for beginners.WordPress is an old and well-known platform for web development. If you are a developer then you must have listened to WordPress. To develop a website on this platform you should have a domain name and a hosting plan too. Also, it supports all hosting platforms which is a plus point. If you want to have a good website then you can use plugins and different themes which are both paid and free. Another platform named Wix is used to provide you ease. This platform is also a good choice for beginners and its multiple features of it make it the preferred one. But programming languages are the base of these platforms, if you need maximum customization and want an awesome website with some new features can only be possible if you are good at programming languages.
Skill sets for Web Developers
There are a lot of skills needed to be a professional developer. You need to develop a good sense of programming languages, as these languages are bais for the programming world and the development world. Also, you need to be well aware of some shortcuts that can help you to make your work easy like WordPress or Wix, etc (discussed earlier) which reduce your task to a minimal extent because they are drag-and-drop-based software. To be a good developer, your problem-solving skills must be extraordinary, as these skills will distinguish you from an ordinary programmer.
Web Designers
The building of websites and pages for a company's brand, information, and user-friendliness is known as web designing. Whether you're creating a website, or mobile app, or keeping content on a web page, appearance and style are integrated as essential parts. With the time when the world was moving online. It was important for companies to have a user-friendly and eye-catchy website so the need for Web designers arose and now it is a highly paid niche.
Types of Web Designers
There are different types of web designers. Three major types are discussed below.
User Interface (UI)
User Experience (UX)
Visual/Graphic Designer
User Interface (UI ) Designers
Designing user interfaces (UIs) for software or electronic devices is a process that places a strong emphasis on aesthetics and style. Interfaces should be simple to use and enjoyable for users, according to designers. Graphical and other types of user interfaces, such as voice-controlled interfaces, are referred to as "UI design.". The artists of this design are UI Designers, this work falls under their umbrella. They choose how the application will be designed. They must decide on color schemes, button designs, text fonts, and line and button widths. The user interface of a program is designed by UI designers. Graphic designers also work as UI designers. They are focused on appearance. They must ensure that the application's user interface is appealing, aesthetically exciting, and correctly themed to reflect the function and/or personality of the app. And they must ensure that every visual component seems cohesive, both aesthetically and in terms of its intended use.
User Experience (UX) Designers
User experience is abbreviated as "UX." The way a user engages with the app affects their experience with it. Is the experience slick and natural or awkward and perplexing? Does it feel rational or random to navigate the app? Does using the app make users feel as if they are completing the activities they set out to complete, or does it feel more like a struggle? The ease or difficulty of interacting with the user interface elements that the UI designers have built determines the user experience.UX Designers have a major role in the development of a website.
Typically their responsibilities include
Understanding the objectives of clients through consultation
Announcing the findings of the user study to internal and external stakeholders
Persona creation and utilization scenario development
Performing usability tests
Creating storyboards, sitemaps, screen flows, and wireframes
making prototypes for products
examining user activity and feedback, iterating to improve the user experience
supporting the creation of content
making a study of your customers and competitors
UX designers need to be well-versed in digital and graphic design technologies, as well as in wireframing software like Figma, UXPin, or Adobe XD. It's also essential to have a solid understanding of design software and tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva. Although UX designers aren't usually required to be programmers, learning the fundamentals of languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be beneficial.
Visual/Graphic Designers
Graphic design and user interface (UI) design were combined to create visual design. It emphasizes the aesthetics of any sort of digital design, including websites. Is the result pleasing to the eye? Visual designers seek to provide an answer to that query. Compared to web designers, visual designers frequently handle more ambitious design tasks. A visual designer may be tasked with developing entire visual languages for a brand or product in place of a web designer who concentrates on designing websites. It encompasses how the entire organization tackles design initiatives and goes beyond the scope of a single finished product (website, app, brochure, etc.).
The Role Of Web Designers
Web designing is a bigger umbrella that covers all the requirements of an eye-catchy website. Many websites and online pages that integrate text with sounds, photos, graphics, and video clips are planned, developed, and coded by web designers. Many websites and online pages that integrate text with sounds, photos, graphics, and video clips are planned, developed, and coded by web designers.
The design and layout of a website or web page are the work of a web designer. It also refers to creating a new website or making updates to an existing one. They play a distinct function from web developers, who specialize in generating code that tells how various website components go together or in bringing web designs to life. The two positions might, however, overlap at times.
The following are some of the job's duties:
making designs for websites
establishing sample sites
discussing needs and/or project status during a meeting with clients
showing off draught sites and getting feedback on them
keeping abreast with recent advances in technology and software
gaining knowledge of and proficiency in relevant programming languages, such as HTML and Javascript
constructing user-friendly, useful, and aesthetically pleasing items
Image editing and digital retouching
collaborating with a multidisciplinary team
Best tools for Web Design
One of the best well-known platforms of web design is Figma. This adaptable design platform aids in online design presentations. For simple teamwork and immediate client input, designers and developers working alone or with a digital firm might think about including Figma in their toolkit.
Other third-party tools are not required with Figma to allow for the exchange of mockups or updates. Additionally, its in-app commenting functionality makes design review comments easier without requiring frequent design modifications. Another well-recognized platform for Web design is Wireframe. cc. Simple wireframes for websites and mobile applications can be created using the freemium web design tool Wireframe. cc. Its clean, uncluttered interface with a minimalistic design showcases website elements. You may quickly save the URL to show the client after the wireframe is finished.
The skill sets a Web Designer needs
A web designer must know the principles of designing and have a brief experience in graphic design. He/She should be aware of the composition of a website like what kind of layout (header, footer and body) is needed for the hour. Flexibility along with patience is the key to success, so a designer must be flexible and patient with his work. He/She should know what responsive design is. And how to implement design for different screens and devices. Designing is a practice activity and a lot of revisions can be made to satisfy end-user, so time management is something that is a must and most important.
Web Developer vs Web Designer: What’s the difference?
Here are the differences that we can conclude from the whole conversation.
- Web Designers are very creative.
Web Developers are more technical.
- Web designers are the aesthetic element.
Web development refers to building user-friendly websites based on clients’ specifications.
- They transform ideas into visually appealing designs.
They transform designs into fully functional websites.
- Web designers refer to how the website looks and feels on the outside.
Web development refers to the functionality of the website on how it works.
- Web designers create the idea and style of a website, creating a mockup based on visual, UX, and UI features.
Web developers decide whether the concept is financially and technically feasible, and then only start with the further step of coding the site..
- The function of a web designer is concerned with the website’s visual and creative aspects and less concerned with technicality.
Web developers must be technically savvy. This includes comprehending sophisticated programming languages and frameworks.
- Types of Web Designers-
User Experience (UX)
User Interface (UI)
Visual/Graphic Designer
Types of Web Developers-
Front-end
Back-end
Full-stack
- The hiring cost of a web designer is comparatively less than a web developer.
The hiring cost of a web developer is more than a web developer.
- Most web designers learn about typography and the visual features of a website.
These are responsible for converting those designs into real websites. They use web tools and programming languages to create the design and functionality of a website.
- The main role of Web designers is to manage the design and layout of a website which implies the graphical components of a website. A web designer is responsible for keeping a balance between a website’s visual components and its usefulness.,
The main role of a developer is to keep a check on the functioning of a website and to see how it works. Web developers manage these aspects of a website developing, coding, and modifying websites.
- Web designing tools include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Sketch, etc.
Languages used are HTML, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, Python, Ruby, jQuery, etc.