Website design and website development are two terms that are used almost interchangeably by both the general public and digital agencies alike. This confusion often leads people to believe that they are one in the same thing, but this is not the case. And while website development does tie in with website design, these two services have very different purposes when it comes to building a website.Â
You need to understand website design and development services in order to choose what is best for your needs. Both the design and development services of a digital marketing agency are needed in order to create a successful and functional website. If you are not sure of the difference between the two, we break it down for you below.Â
What Is Website Design?
The word design should be a clue as to what website design services entail. A website designer is concerned with how a website looks, taking on a more front-end or customer-facing role. User experience or UX design falls under this service as it aims to make the website easy-to-use for consumers.Â
Often, website design includes the visual design aspect of a website, which is vital for enticing users to go to the website. Website designers are often creative people and have an artistic side to their personalities. Their role is to focus on how a website looks, feels, and operates from the viewpoint of the consumer.Â
Website design services take into account what colours are best suited to a website, which images will best suit the brand or business, as well as how the sitemap or user journey should flow. These designers work with the brand as a whole in mind, ensuring that all elements of the website portray the client’s vision, mission, and values correctly.Â
What Is Website Development?
Website development is intrinsically linked to the design aspect of building a website, but it is a little more on the technical side. There are two different types of web developers, namely front-end developers and back-end developers. Some of the skills in these two different sectors do overlap, but they are very different when it comes to the final product of a website.Â
Front-end developers take the visual design of the website and create it in code. Some of the languages they might use to build the website include HTML for the structure, CSS for the visual elements, and possible even Javascript for some of the other elements. If the website is smaller, then it might only need front-end development in order for it to be launched but some more complex websites will need the intervention of back-end developers.Â
A back-end developer will deal with the more complex coding side of website development services. They will focus on how the site works and its functionality, especially in terms of how consumers interact with the different elements of the website. This can include anything from working with a code to interface a database or connecting an e-commerce website shopping cart with an online payment processor. A back-end developer might need to create software or programs from scratch if none exist for their intended functionality.Â
Why Should They Work Together?
Both website design and website development are vital in creating a functioning and aesthetically pleasing website. When these two teams are working together, they will produce a more cohesive and seamless end product.Â
When it comes to design, the website designers can ask the developers for a fresh set of eyes to look at their design, and developers can help the designers understand what they can and cannot create. There will also be more focus on the project’s missions and goals instead of the teams feeling confused and losing instructions in translation.Â
By working together, the design and development teams will also be able to finish projects quickly and efficiently, both on-time and within the client’s budget. Collaborating throughout the process will also ensure minimal back-and-forth with the client about the website design and functionality. Website designers are better able to understand the UX elements of the website, whereas the developers can build this and provide seamless functionality.Â
If you are looking to build a website for your brand, business or company, be sure to contact NetMechanic today to find out how we can help you. We offer both website design and website development services to our clients.Â
