There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the titles web developer and web designer. In this article, we will clear the air and discuss what is a web developer vs web designer.

What is a web developer vs web designer?

A web developer is someone who specializes in the coding and programming side of website development, while a web designer is someone who focuses on the design and layout side.

Both web developers and web designers are important in the overall process of creating a website, but they have different skill sets and roles. A web developer is responsible for the functionality of a website, while a web designer is responsible for the visual design and appearance.

Web developers use a variety of programming languages to create the code that makes a website work. They also have a strong understanding of server-side technologies, database management systems, and user experience (UX) design.

Web designers use a variety of tools to create the visual designs for websites. They often have a background in graphic design, and they use their skills to create layouts, color schemes, and typography that are pleasing to the eye and easy to use.

Web developer vs web designer salary

There are a lot of factors to consider when thinking about web developer vs web designer salary. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

-The median salary for a web developer is $75,000, while the median salary for a web designer is $50,000.

-The average salary for a web developer is $92,000, while the average salary for a web designer is $64,000.

-The top 10% of web developers make an average salary of $119,000, while the top 10% of web designers make an average salary of $81,000.

-The bottom 10% of web developers make an average salary of $54,000, while the bottom 10% of web designers make an average salary of $35,000.

So, what does this all mean? Well, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a career.

Web Designer Types

It’s worth noting that not all website designers do the same things. Most have specialized areas of expertise, focusing on only one or two components of the website’s design.

The following are three main types of web designers:

➊ User Experience (UX) Designer: UX designers are in charge of ensuring that consumers have a pleasant experience when engaging with the website. They design and layout based on user input and data about the company’s target market.

➋ User Interface (UI) Designer: UI designers focus on unique interactions that users make with the site. They examine numerous aspects of the web sites and decide how consumers would view them when scrolling through information. While UX designers conduct more data-driven judgments, UI designers’ center of attention is the overall appearance and feel of the website.

➌ Visual Designer: Visual designers concentrate on only on the user interface but on the user experience as well.  They ensure that the website has the correct mix between aesthetically attractive elements and incredibly simple functionality. They help tackle design challenges and ensure that the website presents the company in the proper way.

To ensure that a website’s design is appealing and user-friendly, companies may have to hire one or two from these roles or even sometimes, all three based on where their site is in the design phase.

Web Developer Types

Web developers, like web designers, will usually have a speciality or concentration. The most prevalent types are:

➊ Backend Developer: Backend developers deal with all of the site’s functionalities that take place behind the scenes. Server frameworks, databases and complex programming languages such as PHP, Java, and Ruby are all examples of this. Their duty is to make sure the site works properly and stays that way over time.

➋ Frontend Developer: Everything that a user sees while interacting with a website is coded by frontend developers. The graphic components that show on the websites are created using CSS, HTML, Javascript, and some other coding languages. A lot of their job overlaps with that of the design team, and they frequently interact with designers when developing new features or pieces for a website.

➌ Full-Stack Developer: A full-stack developer can handle almost anything. Depending on the situation, they can work both on frontend and backend of the site. They’re essentially a web developer who can do anything.

If the company is building a large website or have a sufficient budget, both a frontend and backend developer maybe hired. In certain circumstances, though, a full-stack developer may be all that is need to construct a successful website.

By now, you should have a rough idea of the difference between a web developer and a designer. Now, let’s discuss some of the abilities that a seasoned web designer and developer must possess.

Web Designer Skills

✔️ Problem-solving creativity and innovative

✔️ Full grasp of design principles

✔️ Graphic design and photo editing skills

✔️ Exceptional customer service and communication skills

✔️ Has SEO experience

✔️ Knowledge of a variety of coding languages

✔️ Attentive and detail-oriented

✔️ Has marketing and business strategy skills

✔️ Adept in project management

Now that we’ve discussed what makes a successful web designer, let’s look at the abilities needed to be a successful web developer.

Web Developer Skills

✔️ Knowledge of frontend coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript

✔️ Knowledge of backend coding languages such as PHP, Java, and Ruby

✔️ Superb analytical skills

✔️ Working knowledge of content management systems (CMS) and ecommerce platforms is a plus.

✔️ Great communication skills

✔️ Problem-solving creativity

✔️ Background with APIs

✔️ Interpersonal skills

✔️ Adept in project management and has the ability to multi-task

Mastering all of these abilities is an important part of being a successful web developer or web designer. The ability to successfully employ the tools at your disposal is the another piece of the puzzle. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular tools that web developers and designers use on a daily basis.

Web Designer Tools

• Graphics editor
• Content management system (CMS)
• Project management software
• Screen design tools
• Debugging tools
• Wireframing tools
• User testing tools
• Internal communication software

Web Developer Tools

• Code editors
• Version control systems
• Web application frameworks
• Frontend application frameworks
• API tools
• Prototyping tools
• Project management software
• Internal communication software

Final Thoughts

Both positions are essential to website development, and each may help a website stand out in unique ways. By now, you should have a full understanding of what is a web developer vs web designer. Whichever route you choose to take, make sure that you put in the time and effort to learn all that you can.