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What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?

Web designers are responsible for creating the appearance and usability of a website. They create all the visual aspects including the layout.

But creating a visually appealing site is just the beginning. They also need to ensure the website is user-friendly. A website that is logical and “flows” well encourages visitors to the site to stay.

Being a creative, web designers work with aspects like colours, fonts and images as well as being responsible for the “style” of the site and how it reflects the business’ brand.

Web developer
A web developer is responsible for the functionality and structure of a website. Being the builder, a developer creates code that makes the website work, as well as how it looks.

It’s this coding that makes each website unique and customised. It’s also what makes the site functional and user-friendly.

Web developers can be super specialised too. There are two main areas of specialisation:

Front-end developers code the actual website. Using languages such as CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and other languages, their coding and programming create the visual components of a website that users see. Website developers also use Content Management Systems, such as WordPress to develop websites. front-end developers and web designers’ skills cross over and they often need to collaborate.

Back-end developers code the database and server for websites using advanced programming languages. Back-end development involves writing code to make website features work. It’s all about the aspects of the website happening ‘behind the scenes’, which users don’t see from the front end.