Web Design vs Web Development: A Beginner’s Guide

Web design and web development are two different terms often used interchangeably. Although both terms overlap in certain functions, they are separate fields requiring different expertise and skills. In this blog post, we will discuss how web design is differentiated from web development, their functions, and the similarities between the two.

By the end of this post, you will know everything you need about web design and web development. Read on to learn more!

Key Takeaways

• Web design and web development have overlapping features, however, both differ in functionality and expertise.
• Web designing deals with the visuals of a website that grabs the attention of the end user.
• The essential tools used for designing a website include; UI/UX design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and Canva.
• Web development deals with building and maintaining a website using programming languages.
• Web development is mainly divided into two parts; front-end and back-end development.
• The front-end development includes basic programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JS, while back-end development involves advanced languages such as; Python, C, C++, and Java.
• Web development and designing differ from one another on the basis of technicality, costs, expertise, and skills used in each field.

Understanding Web Development and Design

Ever wondered what is the difference between developing a website and designing a website? Or probably you might consider these two the same. In any case, the designing and developing of a website are two different functions of software development that are often confused with one another.

Traditionally, web designers are those who design the visuals of a website whereas developers write the code. However, designing or writing code has no longer remained exclusive to one field only. Today, most designers use programming languages like HTML and CSS, and the front-end developers know the basic designing of the website.

However, the basic concepts of design and development remain perceptible. Web developers are responsible for the technical side of a website using programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java to write the code. Web designers mainly work on the visuals of a website such as color themes, layouts, and typography to enhance the user experience. Simply put, web designers handle the look of a website whereas web developers write the code for the smooth functioning of the website. Let’s learn more about the terms in detail!

What is Web Design?

Web design is about designing the graphics of a website. It includes all that goes into enhancing the visual appearance of the page. The typography, fonts, color, and themes of a website come under the functions of a web designer. When designing a website the designer needs to consider the vision of the website he/she is designing. Web designers use information regarding the brand and product/services of the company to design a website that aligns with the company’s brand agenda.

Web design works on what a user gets on the screens when opening a website. The designer is responsible for the user experience through the layout, themes, colors, and images on a web page. Besides the visual graphics, many web designers use HTML and CSS to create live mock-ups. Some designers also make use of templates from platforms like Squarespace or WordPress to create web page themes.

Here are some essential tools and software used by most web designers:

1. UI/UX Design


User interface and user experience are used to create intuitive interfaces that are effective and simple to use. UI is about the look of the page, while UX works on the overall website experience. These two are widely used in website development to provide a smooth experience for the users.

2. Adobe Creative Cloud


User interface and user experience are used to create intuitive interfaces that are effective and simple to use. UI is about the look of the page, while UX works on the overall website experience. These two are widely used in website development to provide a smooth experience for the users.

3. Canva


Canva is an effective and easy-to-use software for graphic designing and more. This free software is beginner-friendly and offers various template options for presentations, logos, resumes, and posters. Many designers use Canva templates to create attractive and responsive web designs.

4. Figma


Figma is a design tool used by most web designers. They can create, test, and share web designs for websites and applications. It is a collaborative platform used by designers, developers, and editors of the software.

What is Web Development?

Web development includes creating, building, and the maintenance of a website. It is about creating and publishing a website using programming languages like Java and Python. This includes all the technical aspects of a website that ensure a flawless user experience. Web development is mainly of two types; front-end or client-side and back-end or server-side development.

Also Read: Different Types of Web Development

Front-end or client-side development is about how a user interacts with a website. Front-end developers also ensure search engine optimization for a higher ranking of the website. They use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to convert a design into a responsive website. The key tools for front-end development are:

• HTML for designing and creating the structure of the webpage.
• CSS for the layout of the page such as color themes, fonts, and positioning of the elements.
• JavaScript for building dynamic and responsive websites and applications.
• Libraries like jQuery for JavaScript functions like prewritten codes.
• GitHub software for version control of the website.

Back-end development or server-side development is more technical or we can say behind the scenes work of a website. It deals with the functioning of a website to provide a smooth experience for the user. It mainly deals with the architecture and performance of the website. The key tools and languages used for back-end development are:

• Programming languages to write code such as Python, C, C++, Java, and PHP.
• Frameworks like Express.Js, Django, and Laravel.
• Databases including; MySQL, MongoDB, and Firebase.
• Web Hosting services include; Google Cloud, AWS (Amazon Web Services), and Microsoft Azure.

Differences Between Web Designing and Web Development

We have discussed in detail the fundamentals of web development and web designing. We have understood the basic functions and concepts of both. Although both are used in building a website or application, both have major dissimilarities that differentiate one from another. Here are the main differences between web development and design:

• Web development involves the technical work behind the website building, whereas, designing is a creative work that emphasizes the aesthetics of the page.
• Web development includes transforming the design into a functional website, while the design part focuses on capturing the idea into a vision.
• Web developers deal with the technicality and feasibility of a website design as they write the code to convert a vision into reality, however, a web designer prepares the foundation of a website that depicts the brand idea.
• Web development is considered more complex and nuanced as it involves writing the codes and is done by tech-savvy engineers. On the other hand, web designers are known for their creativity in designing a digital product that clearly defines the idea behind a brand, website, or product.
• Hiring a web developer involves more costs as they are responsible for the functioning of the website. In contrast, the hiring cost of a designer is comparatively less as it does not involve technical work such as writing codes.

Summing Up

Web development and design are two main aspects of creating a website. Although different in functions and skills, both play critical roles in delivering a responsive website that runs smoothly on various devices. As we have already discussed, one deals with the aesthetics and the other involves technical work behind a website building. Both functions are fundamental in creating a website that attracts user attention and brings in more traffic.

If you are looking for versatile services that involve designing and creating your business website, the expert developer team at WillShall is ready to help. So, why wait? Book an appointment today!