Web Designer vs Web Developer: What’s the Difference & Who Should You Hire?

A web designer focuses on a website’s visual layout and user experience (UX), while a web developer turns that design into a functioning website using code. Designers create the look and feel; developers handle the technical side to ensure everything works. Both are essential for building a professional, user-friendly website.

Web Designer vs Web Developer

Imagine you’re building a house. You need someone to plan how it will look and feel — where the windows go, what colours to use, and how big the rooms should be. But you also need someone to build it, brick by brick, using the right tools and materials.

In the digital world, website designers and web developers do similar jobs. A designer focuses on visuals and user flow, while a developer builds everything behind the scenes. Let’s break it all down in simple terms.bsite.

What Does a Web Designer Actually Do

Think of a web designer as the artist of the internet. Their job is to make sure your site looks great and feels easy to use. From colour schemes, fonts, and images to layout and user interface (UI) design, they focus entirely on visual appeal and intuitive experience.

If your website looks messy, confusing, or outdated, chances are it needs a professional designer. Check out our custom website design services to improve your online presence.

Essential Skills Every Web Designer Needs

A good web designer understands:

• Visual hierarchy and branding
• User experience (UX) design
• Typography, colour theory & accessibility
• Responsive design for mobile & desktop
• Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and Canva

Some designers also know HTML/CSS or work closely with front-end developers for seamless collaboration.

What is UX/UI and Why It Matters

UX (User Experience) designers focus on how people interact with your site — ensuring it’s smooth, intuitive, and meets expectations. UI (User Interface) designers deal with visual layout. For small businesses, UX design can dramatically improve conversions.

What Tools Web Designers Use 

To do their job, web designers use special tools. These tools help them create images, design page layouts, and test how websites look on different screens. Some of the most popular tools include Adobe XD, Figma, and Sketch. These let designers drag and drop shapes, change colours, and create a full design before anything is actually built. They might also use Photoshop or Canva to edit images or make graphics. And with online tools, they can even share their designs with clients and team members easily, no matter where everyone is.

Figma & Adobe XD for layout and prototyping

Photoshop or Canva for image editing

Sketch for interface design

Webflow or Wix for drag-and-drop visual design

Testing tools for responsiveness and performance

What is the Average Cost of Website Design for Small Businesses? 

The answer really depends on a few things, like how experienced they are, how big or detailed the project is, and where they’re located. A beginner might charge less, while a highly skilled designer who’s worked on big brand websites might ask for more. Some designers charge by the hour, while others give a full price for the whole project.
Design fees can vary based on:

• Experience level
• Project size and complexity
• Location

For small businesses in Perth, expect to pay $500–$3,500 for a high-quality website design. It’s an investment that brings trust, branding consistency, and better user engagement.

What Does a Web Developer Do?

If a designer is the architect, the web developer is the engineer. Developers build the website using code and frameworks, making sure everything works behind the scenes — forms, buttons, animations, page loading, etc.

There are different types of developers:

Full-stack developers: Handle both

Front-end developers: Build what users see

Back-end developers: Manage databases, servers & logic

Developer Skills That Power Your Website
 

Web developers have a lot of responsibilities. First, they take the designs made by the web designer and bring them to life using code. They also fix bugs (which are problems or mistakes in the website), make sure the website works well on phones, tablets, and computers, and update it when needed. Sometimes, they work with databases — where all the website’s information is stored — especially if the site has user accounts or shopping features. Basically, if anything on the site needs to “do” something, the web developer is the one making that happen.

Web developers are fluent in:

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• PHP, Python, React, Node.js
• CMS systems like WordPress, Shopify, Magento
• APIs & database integration
• Security & hosting best practices

They ensure your website is responsive, secure, and fast-loading, and they fix any bugs or issues post-launch.

Skills Essential for Web Developers

To do all of the listed tasks, web developers need to learn certain skills. One of the most important things is knowing how to code using languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, or any other development language. They also need to understand how websites connect to servers, how to keep websites secure, and how to test everything before it goes live. Problem-solving is a huge part of their job, too. If something isn’t working right, the developer has to figure out why and fix it. They often work closely with designers, content writers, and clients, so being a good communicator helps a lot, too.

Types Of Web Developers

Front-end developers focus on what users see on the screen — like buttons, images, and menus. They make sure everything looks like the designer planned and works correctly. Back-end developers work behind the curtain — they handle the servers, databases, and the logic that powers a website. Then, some full-stack developers can do both front-end and back-end work. They’re kind of like the superheroes of web development because they understand the whole picture.

Essential Tools Web Developers Commonly Used  

Web developers use powerful tools. These include code editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text, where they write and manage all the code. They might also use version control tools like Git to track changes and work with teams. Plus, they use frameworks and libraries like React or Bootstrap to help them build faster and smarter. These tools help them stay organized and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Tools Web Developers Use

Hosting platforms like Cloudways, GoDaddy, Hostinger

Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text – for writing clean code

Git/GitHub – for version control

Bootstrap, React – for UI frameworks

Browser Dev Tools – for debugging and testing

What’s The Cost of a Web Developer? 

When it comes to pay, web developers often earn more than web designers. This is because their work is more technical and involves more problem-solving. Just like with designers, the salary depends on experience, location, and the type of work. A beginner developer might start with a lower wage, but experienced developers — especially those who know both front-end and back-end — can earn a lot more.

Average Cost of Hiring a Web Developer

• Entry-level developer: $25–$45/hr
• Experienced developer: $60–$100+/hr
• Full project builds: $1,500–$10,000 depending on complexity

Custom functionalities, integrations, and performance tuning often require a web developer for proper execution.

Do You Need A Web Designer and a Front-End Developer? What’s the Difference?

A common question is, do you really need both a web designer and a front-end developer? The answer is — yes, most of the time. A designer makes the site beautiful and easy to use, while the front-end developer builds it so it actually works on the internet. Sometimes, one person can do both jobs, but in bigger projects, it’s best to have one person focus on each part. This way, both design and functionality get the attention they deserve.

Designer, Developer, or Both? Here’s How to Decide

When to Hire a Web Designer

CMS-based websites (WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Drupal, etc.) with already available features mostly need designers only.
If you already have a website, but it feels outdated or boring, and your main goal is to make your website look amazing, match your brand, and create a strong first impression, then hiring a web designer is the right move. A web designer can help create layouts, choose colours, fonts, and images, and make sure visitors enjoy the experience. 

If you don’t need much technical work — just a polished, pretty design — then a designer can handle it solo.

When to Hire a Web Developer

Developers are perfect for projects where function matters more than looks. You may already have a design but need it turned into a working website. Or perhaps you’re fixing problems on your current site, like slow loading times, broken links, or parts that don’t work properly. That’s where developers shine — they make sure the website runs smoothly, safely, and quickly.

For projects that need advanced, unique, and complex functionality, like booking systems and management systems, you require developers. 

When You Need Both Designer & Developer 

Sometimes, though, you need both a web designer and a developer working together. This usually happens when you’re building a brand-new website from scratch or when you’re giving an old one a full makeover. Mostly, you need both for projects that are not built on CMS. 

Conclusion

A successful website needs both visual design and powerful development. If you’re a business owner in Perth or anywhere in Australia, understanding this difference helps you hire the right expert and make smarter investments. Whether you need a beautiful brand presence or a feature-rich web app, Apex Digital Agency is here to guide you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs