Simple? Maybe not. This issue is one of many problems people are faced with when in need of web development or web design work for their website. But do not be put off, even developers and designers sometimes struggle with this question when faced with what role or title they have; am I more a web developer or a web designer?

To answer this probing question of what service you may require, you will need to look closely at the functions and benefits of a web designer and web developer.

Definition of the Web Designer

A website designer not to be confused with a graphic design (one who designs websites and in other areas such as print, advertising, book illustrations etc. more on graphic designers another time) is one who is concerned with the layout, schemes and aesthetic values of a website; according to wikipedia this usually includes "hypertext or hypermedia". In other words a professional web designer given the chance can enhance, create or produce a graphically pleasing website based on any vague or complex idea one can imagine using such technology as Flash, video technology, Animation, GIF, JPEG, PNG, PDF, Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel, CSS, HTML etc to fit the image of you and your business model.

Website designers convey messages graphically to the user or are involved in what professionals call the client side of things

Definition of the Web Developer

A web developers role goes a little deeper but should not be considered more important than that of a web designer, it should also not to be confused with a web programmer (one who specializes in scripting, coding, programming of software and applications for websites and other areas such as desktops PC's, MACS, Linux, shells etc.) although programming is involved in their role as developers. A web developer is one who is concerned with the functionality of a website. Web developers are immersed with how the website flows; how each link is navigated and connected; SEO aspects such as Meta Tags, content, sitemap; how the design relates or fits to the content being presented; programming and scripting of the website etc. A website developer is involved in both the back-end and front-end of your website. In other words a professional web developer will make sure that your web pages are debugged and error free using such technology and programming as HTML, PHP, C#, Java, JSP, JavaScript, AJAX, Perl, Ruby, ASP, .NET, ColdFusion, Flash ActionScripting or database technology such as MySql, SQL Server, Oracle, PostGreSQL, InterBase etc; Website meta tags are properly in place and Web content fits well with your website design and the image of you or your business.

Web developers are involved in how your message is conveyed to the user and are involved in what professionals call both the client side and server side of things.

The one thing both web developers and website designers should and will always have in common is that both are familiar and should know HTML (Hypertext Markup language), which is a set of commands and tags that make up the primary markup language of the internet.

A professional web development company should be equipped with or at least have at their disposal a web developer and web designer to accomplish the proper development of a clients website. So when deciding whether you need a web developer or designer, think about what you really need for your current project; you may require both.