Do I need a Website Designer or Website Developer?
“I need a website, but I don’t know where to start…”
This is a common problem, and web tech can be tricky to understand.
So, let’s break it down, and figure out exactly what you need.
A quick Google search of “website builder Australia” and “website builder NZ” brings a mix of DIY site builders, articles and domain hosts. This isn’t very helpful when you don’t know how to build a website.
There are 2 types of professionals you should be looking for:
Website Developer
A website developer sets up the web server, database and other back end systems. They build, create and maintain a website - using technologies like HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and languages like PHP, Python and Ruby. Think: backstage / behind the scenes.
Web devs will test your website to make sure it’s working, fix any bugs, ensure it’s optimised for search engines (SEO), and make sure it’s accessible to users that may have disabilities (this is a big topic for another day).
Website developers will often work closely with website designers.
Website Designer
A website designer is in charge of everything visual on a website. The layout, design, fonts, colours, and overall look. Think: front of stage / the show. Web designers work closely with you (the client) to understand what look you’re trying to achieve, while making sure the design hits your brand guideline requirements.
They might design the website in design software (Adobe XD or similar) for a developer to later build. Alternatively, they will design the website straight into Content Management Systems (CMS) or e-commerce platform (Shopify, Squarespace etc), and skip the need for a web dev.
Do you need to hire a Website Designer or Website Developer?
It depends on your website’s functionality.
If you can answer yes to these questions, you probably need a Website Designer:
You need simple functionality (selling products / services / online courses / subscriptions, member areas, portfolio, contact form, map, email sign up list etc)
You have strong copy (the text that will go on your website)
Your copy is optimised for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
You have your brand / logo nailed
You have brand guidelines (fonts, colours, an overall style/vibe)
You have high resolution brand imagery (photography, illustrations, icons etc).
If you don’t have these things - let’s chat.
If you can answer yes to these questions, you probably need a Website Developer, or a much larger team/agency:
You need your website built using a specific language
You have a database driven website (e-commerce, social media, news, blogging, job portal, online forum etc)
You have a real-time / scalable web app (needs to handle a large number of users; eg. online chat, online gaming, social media, financial trading, ride hailing)
You need a scalable and secure website or app
You need a custom built CMS.
Whether you need techy behind-the-scenes, or looks good front-of-stage - now you know where to go.
If you’d like a professionally designed website, customised to your brand, and optimised for SEO, check out our Brand + Website Intensives.
