Whether you’re looking to create your first website or revamp your existing site, you might be stuck deciding what kind of web professional you need in order to complete the project.
To help you answer the question, “Do I need a web designer or a web developer for my project?” it is important to understand the differences between these two roles. We explore this alongside examples of the types of projects that web designers and developers usually get assigned to.
This article will help guide you in making an informed decision as to which professional(s) are best suited to bring your vision to life.
Understanding the Roles
What Does a Web Designer Do?
A web designer determines what your users see and experience on your website. They are responsible for how your site looks and feels, ensuring it is attractive and user-friendly.
Some key areas a web designer will work on include:
Graphic Design: Creating visual elements like logos, images, and icons.
Typography: Selecting fonts that convey your brand’s personality.
Colour Theory: Choosing a colour palette that aligns with your brand and appeals to your audience.
Layout Design: Arranging content in a way that guides users intuitively through your site.
Designers use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma to create mockups and prototypes of your website before a single line of code is written.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
A web developer, on the other hand, brings the designer’s vision to life through coding. They focus on the functionality and performance of your site. Key areas a web developer will work on include:
Coding: Writing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and other programming languages to build your site.
Database Management: Handling your site’s data, such as user information and product inventories.
Technical Implementation: Ensuring all features work correctly and efficiently, including connecting your website to other third-party systems like payment gateways.
Performance Optimisation: Making sure your site loads quickly and runs smoothly.
Developers use a wide variety of tools but typically include an IDE (a special text editor for programmers that provides them with various other features to help them code). Example IDE’s include VS Code, Jetbrains and Xcode. Developers also typically have other tools such as version control systems (Git), frameworks (Rails, React, Angular) and Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress.
All of these tools are geared towards building and integrating web systems to produce a working version of a web design.
When to Hire a Web Designer
Consider hiring a web designer if your project prioritises aesthetics and user experience.
Scenarios Where a Web Designer is Indispensable
Branding: You need a cohesive visual identity that represents your brand. A logo, colour scheme, font selection and personality for your brand are typically included in a visual identity document.
Digital Assets: You need customised graphics, banners and other visual content for your website, social media or other platforms.
User Experience: Your site must be easy to navigate and engaging for users. This requires User Experience (UX) skills for layout design.
Example Website Projects Appropriate for a Web Designer
Personal Blogs: If you’re looking to create a visually appealing blog that focuses on content, a web designer can ensure it looks great and engages readers. Personal Blogs can be damaging to your reputation if the look and feel of your design does not deliver the level of quality or professionalism your brand requires.
Marketing Websites: Where the goal of your website is to attract and convert visitors, then having a visually appealing design that speaks to your target audience is essential. Unimpressive or clunky website designs typically have much higher bounce rates, which translates to lost revenue.
Portfolio Sites: Showcasing your work, whether it’s photography, art, or writing, needs a design that highlights your achievements and presents yourself as exciting and credible. Your portfolio website should reflect your brand’s personality at all times. Showcasing your work in the best possible light to a prospective client can be the difference between the success or failure of having your work purchased.
TIP: If you think you need a web designer for your project, read this article for more detailed information and guidance on why your project may need a web designer.
When to Hire a Web Developer
If your project requirements have complex features and are primarily low-level, behind-the-scenes stuff, then a Web Developer is likely the appropriate resource you need.
Scenarios where a web developer is required
Complex Features
You have a specific problem that requires unique code to solve your business problem. Additional features to extend your application, like integration with other online systems via APIs, Payment Gateways, and Data Transformation, all fall within the realm of a web developer.
Running an Online Store
Online stores require robust backend systems, meaning regular web developer maintenance is vital to keeping things running smoothly. Web developers are typically needed when introducing new features to online stores and fixing bugs customers report.
Performance and Security
Any website or online system requires a web developer to ensure your site is fast, secure, and scalable.
Examples of projects that benefit from a web developer
Custom Web Applications: If you need a unique set of features or integrations, a developer can create bespoke software that runs on the Internet for you. This could be a Web Application you plan to sell online, a Company Intranet or even the backend system for a mobile application.
TIP: If you’re creating a web application that you want full intellectual property ownership of, then there is no other viable option but to use a web developer. They are the ones that can create unique custom code that you own.
Content Management Systems: Setting up systems like WordPress or custom CMS solutions requires development expertise to ensure your website’s security and proper function. Web Developers would also be responsible for any required third-party system integrations (e.g., Payment Gateways).
Check out this article for more detailed information on why your project may need a Web Developer.
Do I Need Both a Web Designer and a Web Developer for My Project?
The short answer is YES if your project is a website or web application. It is highly recommended that you have both design and development skill sets so that your project can be delivered with the best possible results.
TIP: If your project was specifically aimed at deliverables that only relied on one set of expertise (e.g., you needed an online brand identity with some website mockups only), then you can probably get away with just using a designer. Just remember—if you cut out the technical input from a web developer during the design stage, you may be in for a shock later when the required budget to actually build the mockups is much higher than expected.
Collaboration between the web designer and developer specialisations ensures that your site is both beautiful and functional at every step of the way.
Assessing Your Web Project Needs
I’ll need to write a guide that covers the process of defining a web project’s requirements, with detailed steps and templates. For now, here are 3 starter questions to help determine whether you need a designer, a developer, or both:
- What is the primary goal of your website or application? Is it to attract visitors, sell products, or provide information?
- What features do you need? Aesthetic elements, complex functionalities, or both?
- What is your budget? Consider the cost of hiring both professionals if necessary.
TIP: Evaluating the scope and complexity of your project helps you make an informed decision. The more clarity and detail around a project’s requirements, the better. Clear requirements form an important part of your project brief and will ultimately support your web designers and developers in delivering what you actually need.
How to Choose the Right Professional
Finding the right professional can be challenging. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a provider that’s appropriate for your budget and has the expertise to deliver your project’s requirements.
Here are some quick tips:
1. Review Portfolios: Look at past work to assess their style and capabilities. If they don’t have anything you can actually see, then they may be less experienced than you require.
2. Read Testimonials: Feedback from previous clients can provide insights into their reliability and quality of work.
WARNING: Don’t necessarily trust testimonials on a web professional’s website. Unfortunately, many dodgy providers out there will spam their sites with fake reviews. Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, or any other independent third-party review websites are your best bet to get trustworthy testimonials.
3. Consider Freelance vs. Agency: In general, Freelancers typically offer a more personalised and flexible service, while agencies can provide a broader range of expertise. So, if your project requires a wide range of skills and experience, just be sure to match those requirements against any freelancers or agencies you engage with.
DIY vs. Professional Services
With platforms like Wix and Squarespace, building your own website is easier than ever. However, consider the pros and cons of going down this path:
DIY Pros: low-cost startup budget required, quick to set up, and great for simple projects.
DIY Cons: Limited customisation, less professional look, and potential functionality limitations. Hidden long-term costs can be created due to early low-cost decisions being taken.
For more complex or professional projects, investing in a designer or developer is a smart move and well worth the cost. Just be sure to pick a good one for your specific needs!
TIP: It’s quite common to find a Web Designer who is also an expert in Web Development. Depending on your project’s budget and requirements, it may be ideal to find a single resource who can handle everything. Again, remember to check that their skills and experience match your project’s requirements.
Adeptive is a good example of a Web Designer/Developer specialist.
Conclusion
By correctly assessing your needs, you can make an informed decision about what kinds of web professionals are appropriate for your project. Understanding the differences between web designers and developers is also crucial to this decision.
Ultimately, if you want your website or web application to be visually appealing and technically sound, then you need the expertise of both a web designer and a web developer.
Here are some handy links to help you with this:
TIP: If you’re still unsure about what your project needs, you can reach out to freelancers and web studios like Adeptive for help. They will usually be willing to sit down with you and discuss your requirements and help you write a project brief that includes the required expertise to bring your vision to life.
