There is a plethora of jargon in the website design world, and when looking for or working with an agency, you may find yourself confused over what people’s roles are, and who you should contact for different queries. Today, we talk through the differences between website designers and website developers.
Website Designer
Website designers are the creative force behind a website, focusing on the entire layout structure of the website and ensuring that it is user friendly and appealing. They often facilitate all of the research that starts at the beginning of a website project journey – looking at competitors and goals of the website, and how the site will align with the brand. They work closely with the client to ensure that the look and feel of the website aligns with the brand goals.
Website designers focus on user experience – how users interact with the features and elements of the website, visualising the whole journey from the moment they land on the website, through to making a successful purchase or interaction.
It’s worth noting that there are many different types of website designers – such as UI and UX – but here we are touching on website designers as a whole.
Website designers will:
- Work with the company branding, whether provided by the client or undertaking formalised branding services
- Ensure typography and colour choices are accessible
- Organise information flow, such as menus
- Create page layouts
- Design interactive elements – such as scrollers, buttons, drop-down menus
Website designers adhere closely to certain standards and best practices, ensuring that their designs are both accessible and will work functionally when website developers come to do their job.
Designers jobs don’t stop once web developers take over – they will be closely included throughout the website build, ensuring it matches with designs, and will help with monitoring and performance checks post-launch.
Website Developer
Website developers are experts in advanced programming, using coding languages – such as HTML, CSS and Javascript – to build websites from the ground up. They turn the website designers’ ideas and concepts from design to reality, ensuring that it is technically plausible, creating the core structure of the website and the mechanisms that allow it to work properly.
Website developers are key to post-launch, testing the website runs smoothly and debugging any issues.
There are three main types of website developers.
Backend Website Developer
These developers work “behind the scenes” of the website, ensuring that the website is fully functional. They code websites, from e-commerce functionality to booking systems, user accounts and more, ensuring the required functionality works smoothly and efficiently so that users can access the website 24/7. Backend website developers manage the data within the website’s database and troubleshoot performance issues.
Frontend Website Developer
These developers are responsible for ensuring the visual elements of the website are feasible and match the website design, working collaboratively with designers. Frontend web developers write the code that determines what websites display, ensuring it is functional across all devices, operating systems and web browsers.
Full-Stack Website Developer
Full-stack website developers work on both the front and backend of a website, having an understanding of both and how they function together. Although on paper this may sound beneficial, they can sometimes be spread too thinly, and therefore it is advised to work with an agency with dedicated backend and frontend website developers, as they require different skill sets.
Website Developers & No Code Websites
Some companies choose to use a ‘no code’ website builder (such as Elementor or Webflow, or even use platforms such as Squarespace) so that they can create a website without coding. However, this ultimately means that you are unable to edit the website fully, and unable to build custom features and functionality. The convenience of these tools also comes at the cost of more convoluted and therefore less efficient code, which often slows down your website, posing negative effects for both users and search engines alike.
Difference between choosing a custom website design compared to drag-and-drop builders.
Difference Between Website Designers and Developers
| Website Designer | Website Developer – Frontend | Website Developer – Backend | |
| Focus on appearance | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Create visual mockups | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Create assets | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus on user experience | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Use code to build the website | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Manages data architecture | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
You can’t have one without the other – website designers and developers must work together to ensure a website is built correctly and maintained.
Website designers may want feedback from developers to see what’s possible during the design phase, whilst developers may then come back with ideas/changes to the website during the build, to allow the website to work better. It should be a close relationship that extends beyond design handover, with both parties regularly touching base to ensure the project comes together successfully.
Ballyhoo
At Ballyhoo, we have team members dedicated to both website design and website development, including frontend and backend developers. Creating websites is our passion, since 2009 we’ve created hundreds of websites for clients in various industries, many of which we still work with 15 years on. Contact us now to talk through your requirements, gain insights into our process and get valuable ideas to move your website project forward.
