What Is the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development?

web design and web development in Singapore

As highlighted by Google Analytics, the most trending search phrase in the technology niche is a web design and web development. These two terms, web design, and web development, are often used interchangeably but have different meanings.

Before you seek web design and web development services in Singapore, you need to know the difference between these two terms. Differentiating the two will help you to avoid spending thousands of dollars and countless hours on the wrong service. 

Here is a complete exposition of the difference between web design and web development.

What Is Web Design?

Web design refers to the general appearance of a website and its usability. A web designer will use several design programs to create an aesthetic appearance of a website. The most common design program used in web design is Adobe Photoshop.

For a web designer to create an appealing and user friendly website, he/she must first understand the objectives of his client. From these objectives, the web designer will prepare an information hierarchy which will guide him/her through the entire designing process. Moreover, there are specific principles which a web designer must follow to create a good business website namely:

Balance – The design of the website must be balanced. The web designer should use light and heavy colours in the right proportions.  

Emphasis –  Based on the objectives of his client, the web designer should emphasize certain elements of the website. This involves making some specific elements of the website to stand out. The emphasized elements are the most important sections of the website.

Contrast –  A web designer should be able to use contrast to bring attention to some specific website’s sections. Contrast can be applied in web design by using varying colours, shapes, textures and font sizes.

Consistency –  The web designer should apply consistency throughout the website. This will improve the user experience and  navigation.

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Unity –  Unity refers to the relationship between various individual sections of the website and the website as a whole. A good web designer should ensure that each individual section is in harmony with the other website elements.

What Is Web Development?

Web development is the art of using the created web design to make a fully functioning website. So, it is only after designing that you can start developing your website.

A web design is just like a static picture. A web developer will take this picture and make a functioning website using it a blueprint. The developer will create a real interface that effectively engages and communicates the intended message to the target audience. 

Most companies that do web design and web development in Singapore have two teams of web developers; front-end web developers and back-end web developers. Front-end web developers use various programming languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript (JS) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to create a functioning website.

Moreover, some front-end web developers may opt to use content managements systems (CMS) such as Joomla or WordPress. These content management systems will further enhance web development. They also give the website owner a chance effectively manage and control his/her website without necessarily contacting the developer.

A back-end web developer will make sure that you have the correct database and server connection. If your website’s content is made up of dynamic data, you will need a back-end web developer. An example of a dynamic data is a web page which informs the visitors to submit a form, to download a document, or to save some information.

A back-end web developer will use various server languages like ASP.NET or PHP.  He/she will also use database queries of languages such as SQL and MySQL. These languages will make sure that your website always has an efficient and reliable database and server connection always.  

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Most web design and web development agencies in Singapore have web developers who can transform a static website layout into more dynamic website layout. They can do this with the help of content and image sliders, font families, animations, form interfaces, and active states for links and buttons.

Web Design vs. Web Development: Key Differences

web design and web development in Singapore

The first step of creating a website for your brand entails designing the various elements. Therefore, web design will always come before web development. It is only after designing that you can start developing the website.

As discussed in this article, web design is creating an aesthetic appearance of a Singapore business website. Web design is the general appearance of a website. On the other hand, web development ensures that the website functions properly. It is only after web development that a website visitor can access and utilize the contents of a website.  

In web design, only some specific software tools and programs are used. They include Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Sketch. These programs are just designing tools. A good web designer should have good logo and graphic designing skills. He/she should also keep up with the latest design trends. 

Web Design and Web Development Services in Singapore

Although web design services and web development services are quite different from each other; they both play a significant role in creating a fully functioning website. 

When you outsource these services, make sure you explain to them what you want exactly. Do not use the terms ‘web design’ and ‘web development’ interchangeably. 

Our team is made up of highly qualified and well-experienced web designers and developers. We will carry out a thorough website audit to come up with the most ideal design for your business. Call us at +65 6789 9852 for a free and no-obligation consultation session.

 

About the Author

Tom Koh

Tom is the CEO and Principal Consultant of MediaOne, a leading digital marketing agency. He has consulted for MNCs like Canon, Maybank, Capitaland, SingTel, ST Engineering, WWF, Cambridge University, as well as Government organisations like Enterprise Singapore, Ministry of Law, National Galleries, NTUC, e2i, SingHealth. His articles are published and referenced in CNA, Straits Times, MoneyFM, Financial Times, Yahoo! Finance, Hubspot, Zendesk, CIO Advisor.

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