Web Developer Vs Web Designer: What's the Difference?

by Brett Melville

Web Design
February 12, 2022

The main difference between a web designer and a web developer is that the web designer takes care of the visual design elements and the web developer looks after the technical elements like code.

Are you looking for clarity on what the difference is between website development vs website design?

These words are frequently mentioned when talking about building a website. Website Design and website development are two sides of the same coin and can’t exist with each other.

It can be confusing to understand so we’ve decided to help you out.

Here are key differences between Web Designers and Website Developers

Website DesignerWebsite DeveloperWebsite design is more of a creative aspect of building a websiteWebsite development has a more technical part of building a websiteA website designer visualises how a website should look based on its layout, format, brand color etcA website developer will ensure that based on the designs a fully functional website is created.A web designer uses Software like Photoshop, Corel Draw,A web developer uses software like PHP, CSS, HTML, Java Script.A website designer does sketching, Wireframes and Mockups of the website that are basically a skeleton of the websiteWebsite Developer deals with coding and making the website function based on the mockups produced by the designer.Types of web designers include User Experience (UX) designer, User Interface (UI) designer, Visual DesignerTypes of web developers include Front-end Developer, Back-end developer and Full Stack developers.

What is a website design? Who are Web designers?

Website design involves the visual aspects of the website that a user can see and interact with on a desktop, tablet or mobile device. A web designer is a person who is responsible for designing a website and makes it look visually appealing based on its brand attributes like typography, color, graphic design etc. A website designer usually works on software such as Photoshop, Corel Draw, Figma, Invision etc.

A website design can either be adaptive or responsive. An adaptive website design will have a fixed layout for the content matching common screen sizes. Whereas a responsive website design the content moves dynamically depending on the size of screen. A responsive designer has become more prominent from a user-experience perspective.

Example of Website Designers

Key elements of a Website Design

  • A User-friendly Design
  • Layout & Navigation
  • Content
  • Responsive Mobile Design
  • White Spaces on the website
  • High-Quality Images
  • Good Colors in-line with the brand guidelines.

Are you an Adelaide business looking for web design services?

What is website development ? Who are Web Developers?

Website development is a process of coding a website based on the website design mockup. Web development is done using programming languages like PHP, CSS, HTML, Java script, Python etc. The infrastructure of the website is looked after by the back-end developers also known as Web developers. There are also front-end developers that work with the front end of the website involving the functionality of the website/app.

Why is website development important?

Website development is needed to promote the product & service to people letting them know what you can offer to them. A company can also distinguish itself from its competitors with a well developed website.

A well developed website should include the following elements

  • Functionality
  • Easier Navigation
  • Tracking Enabled
  • Faster Loading Speed
  • AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages)
  • Full-design control
  • Effective Communication through content
  • Integration of Web Apps
  • Optimized for Conversions
  • SEO Friendly
  • Compatibility with different browsers

A well developed website needs to have the right functionalities to be able to succeed. There is plenty of opportunity for businesses to leap ahead of competitors with a well designed website. To develier results a website must have a dynamic design while engaging its visitors with a good user interface and great user experience.

A website design might be great but without the right functionality it would be incomplete.

Bad Web Development practices you should avoid

  • Avoid writing CSS and HTML simultaneously
  • Avoid using Tables as a layout
  • Make ID and classes in capital letters
  • Not adding comments in the code
  • Unstructured code
  • Not using version control

Creating a website is a complicated process and bad web development habits should be avoided to save time and money. A good website needs to have the right balance between design and its functionality.

We hope you enjoyed our explanation of the differences between web developers and web designers.

If you are looking for a good web designer and web developer service agency you’re in the right place. Let's have a chat

Who is Digital Treasury?

We're a Melbourne-based digital agency with extensive experience helping Australian businesses build stronger online presences. Our team specialises in web design, development, hosting and SEO services - everything you need to get found online and convert visitors into customers.

Over the years, we've worked across different platforms and industries, giving us the insight to know what actually works for businesses like yours. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing website, we focus on practical solutions that deliver real results for your business.

What types of businesses and industries do you work with?

We work with a wide range of Australian businesses, with particular expertise in healthcare, B2B services, SaaS companies, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), professional services and e-commerce brands. Our team offers tailored SEO and web solutions that are customised to fit your industry, target audience and business goals.

Where is Digital Treasury located and do you work with businesses Australia-wide?

We are based in Melbourne but we work with clients throughout Australia. Our work is mostly done remotely by video conferencing and emails, which makes collaboration easier regardless of where your business may be based.

What services does Digital Treasury offer?

Our key services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Design, Website Development, Website Maintenance and Website Hosting. They are provided either separately or combined, ensuring that we provide you with one reliable source to help establish your online presence for your business.

How do I get started with Digital Treasury?

Getting started is easy. Just contact us for an initial conversation about what you want, your budget and timeframe. We will talk to you about what you need, give advice about the best way forward and provide you with a detailed, upfront proposal.

What makes Digital Treasury different from other agencies?

We integrate our technical skills with honest communication and a strong emphasis on results that will benefit your company. Being a small team allows us to give you personal attention, upfront costs and all the support we would give to our own project.

Do you work with small businesses and startups?

Absolutely. Many of our clients are small businesses and startups looking to establish or improve their online presence. We will make suggestions based on your particular situation and budget needs, providing useful services at affordable prices.

How do you communicate with clients and report on progress?

We are convinced that clear communication should be maintained consistently during any of our projects. In accordance with the chosen service, you will be updated about your project through emails, meetings and detailed reports. We maintain constant contact with you, answering your queries along the way.

How does Digital Treasury structure its pricing?

We keep our pricing straightforward by providing a complete project quote rather than breaking it down into confusing line items. This approach gives you a clear understanding of exactly what you'll pay for the entire scope of work.

Every project is different, so costs depend on your specific requirements and the complexity involved. We'll assess your needs and provide transparent pricing that reflects the full value of what we'll deliver for your business.

Am I locked into a long-term contract?

We believe in earning your trust through quality work rather than tying you down with restrictive contracts. For specific projects like website builds, we'll provide you with a clear upfront quote so you know exactly what to expect.

Our ongoing services like website hosting, maintenance and search engine optimisation work a bit differently - we discuss these on a flexible arrangement basis that suits your business needs and budget.

Can you provide case studies or examples of previous work?

Yes, we can provide case studies and examples of our previous work. Potential clients frequently request these to see concrete evidence of our past successes. They want to understand how we’ve helped similar businesses achieve their goals through SEO and website development. Our case studies typically highlight our clients’ challenges, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results we achieved, such as increased traffic and higher conversion rates. This builds trust and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promises.

What types of SEO services do you offer?

We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services designed to boost your online visibility. Our core services include technical SEO fixes, on-page and content optimisation, local SEO for Melbourne businesses, thorough keyword research, detailed SEO audits, strategic link building, and ongoing performance tracking.

Can you guarantee first-page or number-one rankings?

No reputable SEO agency can guarantee specific rankings because search engines like Google use complex algorithms that change frequently. These changes are completely outside anyone's control. What we can promise is our commitment to using proven, white-hat strategies that give your website the best possible chance of ranking well.

Rather than making unrealistic promises, we focus on sustainable SEO practices that build long-term visibility and drive genuine business results. Our approach is about maximising your opportunities for success, not making guarantees that simply can't be kept.

Do you offer local SEO for businesses targeting specific areas?

Yes. Local SEO ensures that your business is found in location-specific search results and map results, making it perfect if you offer your products or services within specific suburbs or locations. We ensure that we optimise your Google Business Profile and your website content for local search.

Do you help with content optimisation?

Yes. Quality and relevant content plays a very important role in effective SEO optimisation. We can optimise your current webpages as well as provide you with some suggestions for creating content based on your keywords.

How much does SEO cost?

Pricing for SEO is determined based on your specific business goals, how competitive your industry is and the amount of work needed to achieve results. We will customise pricing plans depending on budgets while giving you a definite quote right from the start.

How do you decide which keywords to target?

We do extensive keyword research to know how your prospective clients search for information on the internet. After analysis of various parameters like search intent, relevancy, competition and commercial value, we shortlist keywords that resonate well with your products and services.

Do I need to change my website's content for SEO?

Yes, quite often. We recommend refreshing existing content frequently or creating new pieces that better match what your potential customers are actually searching for online. Of course, changes should be carefully implemented with regard to your company’s tone of voice.

What is the contract length for your SEO service?

We ensure that our SEO agreement remains flexible as opposed to being committed to long-term contracts. Even though SEO is most effective when conducted on a continuous basis, we do not mind discussing agreements that work for your benefit.

Is it necessary to hire an SEO agency or can I do SEO myself?

You can surely do basic SEO on your own and we are happy to point you in the right direction. However, SEO is very time-consuming and keeps changing frequently. Hiring an experienced SEO agency will ensure that you get more out of it without having to think about it anymore.

How does backlink building contribute to SEO success?

Backlinks are simply links to your website from another website. Search engines consider backlinks as an indication of credibility and authority. Our approach is to build links to your site through ethical and sustainable methods, building up the reputation of your website in the process.

What does your website design process look like?

We start by understanding your business goals and target audience to ensure your website truly connects with your customers. From there, we develop a web design strategy and create initial designs that we refine based on your feedback. Once you approve the designs, we go ahead to the development phase.

When should I consider redesigning my website?

A redesign is worth considering if your site looks outdated, performs poorly on mobile, loads slowly, is difficult to update or no longer reflects your brand. A modern, well-built website can improve user experience, credibility and your ability to attract customers.

Which CMS platforms do you build websites on?

We specialise in Webflow and WordPress, selecting the most suitable platform for you. WordPress allows for versatility, whereas Webflow gives you a sleek design with easy maintenance. We will suggest the most appropriate choice for you.

Do you provide SEO with your website builds?

Yes. All our websites are developed using SEO guidelines like a clean layout, quick loading speed, mobile optimisation and solid on-page foundation. In addition to that, we have professional SEO service packages that help businesses increase their online presence.

Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?

Yes. We offer website maintenance services to ensure that your website is safe, up-to-date and working properly. This encompasses software and plug-in upgrades, security protection, backups and basic changes to give you a hassle-free experience so that you can concentrate on your business.

Can I migrate my existing site to your hosting?

Yes, we can absolutely handle the complete website transfer to our managed hosting platform without any hassle on your end. Our team manages the entire migration process, ensuring your site moves across smoothly without downtime or disruption to your business.

Can we provide feedback throughout the process?

Absolutely and we actually encourage it. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to review our progress and share your thoughts at every stage. It ensures we're building exactly what you have in mind, rather than guessing what might work.

Will I own my website once it's built?

Yes. After completion of your project, the website will be yours. We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to issues of ownership and accessibility and would gladly take care of your requirements in this respect.

How long does it take to build a website?

The timeline for your website project really depends on what you're looking to achieve. A straightforward business website typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, while more complex builds with custom functionality or extensive content requirements will naturally take longer.

We'll give you a clear timeline estimate once we understand your specific needs during our initial consultation. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan your launch accordingly.

What kind of support do you provide after my website launches?

We don't go away once we've launched. We provide continuing support, maintenance and hosting to ensure that your website runs at optimum capacity. If you have any queries about how to develop your website, we will be there for you.

Let's build something extraordinary

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