Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

HI,

I need to get some work done on my site. Problem is I am not sure exactly who I should be looking to contact. For instance I am not really sure what the difference is between a web designer or web graphic artist. It seems there are so many different job titles out there for the web industry that I am not really sure where to start. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for your help

Hi Cole :-)
You`re not the only one confused! I was there, along with a whole lot of other folks in the community. However, there does seem to be at least one differentiating characteristic in this whole emerging field---the amount of actual programming in code of some sort.

A Web developer, from what I`ve read, is someone who`s primary skills lie in the code and structure of the Web site. A developer also has sub-specialties, where they can build Web-based applications. These might use Flash!, Javascript, or any of the programming languages used to make interactive events on a Web site.

A Web designer`s skills focus more toward the layout, graphics and images, and the look-and-feel of the site. They would usually have some sort of graphics design in their background, and an understanding of art and aesthestics.

Web content is the written content, provided by a writer of some sort. Although the content technically means anything a visitor sees on the site---that`s "contained" within the site pages---it`s come to mean mostly the writing.

A hosting provider tends to be more on the infrastructure level, offering technical support for their hardware---the computers, wires, boxes, and software used to create a site and make it visible to the rest of the world.

Because this is such a new field, there`s a lot of crossover in skills. So a developer may also be a designer. However, from what I`ve also read here, few developers or designers offer content writing. That`s up to you, the client.

What sort of work do you think you need on your site?

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the information.  From reading your response I get the feeling what I need is a web developer.  I have been researching this area and checking companies out.  I am trying to get a good idea of what these services should cost. I think now though I know where to focus my search.  Thanks for all the great information.

Cole

My recommendation -

AllMediaNet - http://AllMediaNet.com

I view my role as a partner to my web clients... to help them  be successfull.

I provide website design, development, graphics, and hosting. I do not like to label myself (or any other web designer) so as to imply I can only do this or that. My job is to provide a solution for my clients... a total solution.

You say you need work done on your site.  What work? If it is only to create a graphics or logo..then a graphics person may be best. But if it`s about making changes to improve your site then a good web designer...should be able to help.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I`d be happy to make suggestions (free of charge).

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

Cole,
There are a lot of resources here where you can get some pricing information. You can cruise the "web critique" topics and see some of the community designers and developers.

Roland makes a good point to the above general definitions. A "designer" looks at the overall "use" of the site, including navigation, links, focal points, meaning, content, and sensibility. So it`s more than only layout and graphic design.

The designer should have some knowledge of marketing, in my opinion. I think it`s just a bit early to find "electronic ad agencies" along the lines of the Madison Avenue shops. It`s coming, but remember that "the Web" has only been a hot item for less than 20 years. :-)

So if you`re specifically wanting to add in a "thing" people can use to click on it and make something happen, a developer would do the coding. If you`re specfically looking for a more pleasing site where people will stay around and explore, you likely would want a designer. ALL of it takes coding, though.

Submit your project to 10 agencies and 5 freelance designers. You can try:

http://www.designfirms.org for agencies.

and

http://www.freelancedesigners.com for freelancers.

take a look at the questions and quotes you get.

Compare portfolios.

Call them after hours to see how the support is (or email after hours to see response time).

Make a decision!

What exactly do you need done to your site? do you need a new banner at the top? this would be for the graphic designer.
Do you need to add an area for clients to login? this would be something for a coder
Do you need all of the above for a whole new website? then you would be looking for a web designer, These people/companies do it all. things that they cannot do they usually outsource. but by using them you are dealing with one person not 3 or 4.


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www.FormPay.com
Internet Discount Rate: 1.79%
Retail Discount Rate: 1.19%

What is it you want to happen?

a prettier site? more traffic? more conversions?

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"You are not here merely to earn a living. You are here to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." -Woodrow Wilson

For our company, we have an odd break ... I have an artist who does all things color and visual .. and then I`m the developer, who does all things code and flow.

Usually, graphic artist does the art in web and print.
Designer does the Art plus the HTML.
Developer starts at the HTML, goes through backend code and database, and winds up with the business structure itself.

If you need a logo, probably OK with a artist.
If you just need a brochure site (5-10 pages, same info you might find in a brochure), a designer would be OK.
For anything else, you want a full-service development company.

The real issue isn`t who is going to do what, though ... it`s the service before and after the fact. Will that person or company help you make it sell? Marketing and business development should not run in a vacuum, separate from your web development ... they should hold hands and work together!