Web Design vs Web Development: 4 Main Differences

Web design and web development are both important aspects of creating a website, but they refer to different things.

Web design is focused on the visual and aesthetic aspects of creating a website. A web designer is responsible for the overall look and feel of a website, including its layout, color scheme, and typography. They use tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create design mockups and prototypes of a website. The goal of web design is to make the website visually appealing and easy to use.

Web development, on the other hand, is focused on the technical aspects of building a website. A web developer writes code to create the functionality of the website, using languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They are responsible for turning a website design into a fully functioning website. Web development also includes tasks such as website optimization for speed and search engine optimization (SEO).

1. Purpose: Web design is focused on the visual and aesthetic aspects of creating a website, such as a layout, color, and typography. Web development, on the other hand, is focused on the technical aspects of building a website, such as writing code to make the site function properly.

2. Skills required: Web designers typically have a background in graphic design and are proficient in tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Web developers, on the other hand, need to be proficient in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

3. Deliverables: A web designer’s main deliverable is usually a website design mockup or prototype. A web developer’s main deliverable is a fully functioning website.

4. Role in the process: Web design is usually done at the beginning of a project before development begins. Web developers take the design and turn it into a functional website.

In summary, web design and web development are two distinct but related areas of expertise that work together to create a website. While web designers create the overall look and feel of a website, web developers make it function properly.