Guide ·
Web designer or web developer: which does your business need?
Web designers and web developers do different jobs. Here's the difference, why it matters for a Central Coast small business, and when you need both.
Search for a web designer on the Central Coast and you'll also find web developers, digital agencies and people who do a bit of everything. They aren't the same job, and knowing the difference saves you money.
What a web designer does
A web designer decides how your site looks and feels: the layout, colours, typefaces and images, and how a visitor moves from your home page to picking up the phone. Good design is about clarity, not decoration.
What a web developer does
A web developer builds it. That covers how fast the pages load, how the site works on a phone, how it's found by Google, how secure it is, and the tools that let you edit it. Developers also build the parts that do something, like enquiry forms, bookings and online shops.
Why it matters
A beautiful site that loads slowly, or can't be found on Google, doesn't bring in work. A fast, secure site that looks dated doesn't either. Most small businesses need both skills:
Design so people trust you in the first few seconds
Development so the site is quick, secure and easy to find
Questions to ask
Will the site load quickly on a phone?
Is it built on a platform that needs constant plugin updates?
Can I update it myself without breaking the layout?
Who looks after security and backups?
One person, both jobs
I'm a web designer and web developer based on the NSW Central Coast, working with businesses in Gosford, Erina, Terrigal, Tuggerah, Wyong and The Entrance. You deal with me from the first sketch to launch day. See my web development service or get in touch.