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Web design and web development, what’s the difference? Both terms are usually used alternately to describe the website creation process. So are they the same? No, there is a difference, web design is all about the aesthetics of a website – how it looks and the user experience. Web development refers to the work that is done in the backend to create a fully functional website.
There is much speculation that the two roles will merge into one in the future. Even the most sought-after web developers have mastered web design. The ideal is someone who has both creative and technical skills. It is a great advantage to have both as they can accompany a project from start to finish. Issues such as misunderstandings or differing ideas are eliminated.
With improvements in web development software that reduced the amount of code, anyone can now create a website. The role of the programmer who writes everything from scratch is becoming increasingly rare.
Web design
Web design deals with the visual appearance of a website and the functionality from the perspective of the user. Web designers take a client’s ideas and concepts and turn them into websites. They work with design software like Adobe to create aesthetically pleasing websites that offer a good user experience (UX). They then pass these designs on to developers.
UX design refers to the process of designing a website that is useful, easy to navigate, and enjoyable to use. It’s about enriching the user experience when interacting with a website and making sure they find what you offer useful.
In website design, UX designers and visual designers use their skills to create wireframes, mockups, design systems, color palettes, templates, and more to help developers develop the product. You need to keep up with the latest web design trends and also have the ability to interact well with customers.
A web designer does not necessarily need any qualifications, more important are creative intuition and attention to detail. Most, however, have an HND or a degree in web design and / or IT. The work of the web designer usually also includes some follow-up services. You can create content and updates, maintenance and monitoring services, and ongoing performance reviews.
Web development
Web development is the process of using the design and writing of code to make the website work properly. To do this, they typically use languages such as CSS, Javascript, HTML or Python. Some web developers may opt for a content management system (CMS) like WordPress or Joomla. These are applications that help users manage and create content, and allow customers to easily maintain and update their website.
Web developers can use either Front-end developer or back-end developer. Some may be experts in both and are known as full-stack developers.
Front-end developer – Frontend development, mainly involves coding and programming the aesthetics of a website. Frontend developers work closely with web designers and customers to achieve the desired look and feel of the site.
Backend developer – Backend development, mainly involves working on the functionality of a website. This includes maintaining the server hosting the website and fixing security issues.
Full stack developer – Full stack developers code both the front and back end of a website. They know exactly how all parts of a website interact and work. In addition to programming websites using programming languages such as HTML and JavaScript, full-stack developers also do all of the work behind the scenes, covering all aspects of web development.
Web developers need solid technical skills acquired through a degree or HND. You must be able to write programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. You also need to understand content management systems like WordPress, backends, and databases. You need to be familiar with testing, debugging and understanding search engine optimization.
Additionally, there are non-technical skills that are good as a web developer. This includes problem solving and analytical thinking, which are needed for the debugging process. Good communication skills are also important, and the ability to work well with others to work with clients and other key people.
What is the no-code movement?
The no-code movement is a growing trend in the use of tools that enable people with little or no programming skills to perform tasks that would normally require programming skills. No-code tools are usually website and app builders. Users can build fully functional apps and websites without knowing any code, everything is generated in the background.
These no-code tools benefit users who cannot write code but want to create online sites and marketplaces. While website builders like Wix and Squarespace have been around for years, they don’t allow for real customization that always requires the skills of a web developer.
Newer tools like Webflow allow users to build fully customized websites and apps without any code.
So does this mean the end for web designers and developers?
While no-code tools are definitely in demand, there will still be people who want to outsource the creation of websites, be it due to a lack of time or technical expertise.
Some have cited security concerns about using a no-code tool instead of using a fully hosted solution. There is also the topic of maintenance and troubleshooting, which require special knowledge. A reasonably creative marketing manager can build a decent website, but what if something goes wrong? Stand builder Black Robin Exhibits initially built its website in-house, however security concerns and maintenance issues have resulted in the hosting being outsourced to a web design company for security.
There can also be SEO benefits to using a professional web developer who can incorporate SEO from the start. Web developers may need to specialize in building complex websites. It is likely that large, complex projects will still require the services of web designers and developers.
Ross Pike of Koreti web design company said: ‘We are still seeing strong demand for our services despite the DIY website builders. People don’t have the time to build a website or they want something fully customized with a lot of features. Search engine optimization is also an important factor in the demand for our services. One satisfied customer is Quadrant2Design from Bournemouth, whose website has been redesigned by Koreti. As a result, they saw significantly more organic traffic that was converted into more orders.
So web design and development are still in demand skills, but who knows what the future will bring.
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