Web Consultant vs. Web Developer
From a theoretical point of view, many people do not have a clear cut understanding of the difference between a web consultant and a web developer. The purpose of this article is to breakdown the existing differences and similarities between a web developer and a web consultant. To understand the difference, we have to be clear on the roles of each one.
Web Consultant: The Specialist
An consultant is someone who gets paid for their expert advice and insight. In most cases, consultants are trained and have a special knowledge in a particular field of interest. A good website consultant should be knowledgeable in all the major areas of a website. This includes branding, marketing, analysis, research and design.
The work of a web consultant is more than what the average person thinks it is. The website consultant’s main role is to plan and oversee the execution of the online project. They ensure the delivery of a successful project to the client.
A web consultant is engrossed mainly on the information architecture of the website, ensuring that all the technical facets are in place.
This consultant will track and manage the process of execution from one end to the other. His top priority should be making the client satisfied and happy. Web consultants don’t have to build the online application or the website. In most cases, it is their job to coordinate and oversee the whole process.
Website consultant should be up-to-date with the most recent web design techniques common to the main streams. He should be well informed and a great communicator who can explain what he knows to the clients.
A main focus for any website is SEO. Therefore a web consultant should have background knowledge in Search Engine Optimization techniques. Cheaters of the past have used techniques that are not allowed by Google. Such techniques should not be repeated. Untimely the role that a web consultant plays depends entirely on their specialization and the needs of the company.
Web Developer: The Technician
This is the most technical expert who is specialized in the development of World Wide Web applications. Web developers are a specific type of computer programmer. Also known as Web Content Developer, they are responsible for designing, coding and modifying websites according to the client’s specialisms. They are also aimed at creating visually alluring sites that feature comprehensible designs and clear navigation systems.
A web developer designs and develops a website from bottom up. This means his core mandate is to develop a site in such a way that the user will not have difficulty navigating. The website developed should appeal to its audience. It shouldn’t be too simple or so complicated in such a way that it will confuse the users.
Web development is divided into three parts. Client-side scripting, server side scripting, and database technology.
The three of them are executed from different ends. Client side scripting is a development of a code that executes in a web browser. It is the main determinant of what your clients and customers will be interacting with on your website.
Server-side scripting is a code that executes on a web server. It powers behind the scenes. It is the main focus of how a machine works. On the other hand, data base technology is the engine that keeps your website running smoothly.
As we stated earlier, a web developer is tasked with making sure that a website is there to connect the company with its online clients and customers. However, very huge web projects divide the task among many different web developers. The task may be divided. One developer may be tasked with setting up the back end of a website. The other is tasked to develop the face of the website. An additional developer may be tasked to add styles and functionality to the website.
Now that we have seen the two fields from a functional level, what are the distinctive differences between the Web Consultant and Web Developer?
Noticeable differences between a web consultant and a web developer
A web consultant’s main goal is to develop a plan using tested and proven strategies. This is different from a web developer who is focused on writing codes to support the plan. Web developers put the solutions that a web consultant has in mind into a functional website. They are responsible for the images, the notifications, layout of content and much more.
Web developers work with programming dialectal. CSS, JavaScript and HTML are used to establish a functional website and web applications. Web developers will also set up email services, databases, user authentication and other technical aspects of a website by the use of other languages. On the other hand, web consultants are not interested in knowing specifics of how codes work. That is not their issue. Their job is to watch and ensure that all the plans at hand are implemented.
A website consultant will oppose some of the clients opinions when he thinks they are not a good fit.
They can as well postpone some of the issues if it’s not the right time to implement. Some clients will follow that up with effective alternatives to the issue.
On the other hand, website developers think more lineally and logically when implementing the suggested issues. Most of the time a web developer will not say no because his main focus is to develop a website for you. What the website is focused to do is not their main goal. They will give you a website that is highly responsive and functional according to your wish.
Once the work is near completion, it is handy to transfer all the work into a staging environment where the client can preview what they should expect at the end of the project. This process is known as portfolio staging, a common practice. It will demonstrate how well a developer can refactor and abstract their code to be readable and elegant to others. At this time the web consultants will be considering the business model, the competition, the audience and everything else that can significantly affect the project at hand.
Website developers are not so much concerned about the launch of the project.
They want to see a project that is fully functional after the launch date. They are mainly focused on the long term functional aspect of the project.
Although web consultants are willing to look back later and get an insight of the functionality of the project, this case may be different for web developer. A website consultant will always be there to suggest changes that will increase the productivity of the project at hand and at the same time upgrades that will accelerate growth and success.
The true passion of a web consultants is problem solving. The work of a web developer is mainly to implement the suggestions. The more successful the solutions of a web developer the more complete they feel.
Website developers have the expert knowledge of many web applications, web-programing languages and software programs. This is different from web consultants who have knowledge on the marketing and business side and are focused on maximizing company profitability through technology.
In most cases, people are not clear about the conceptual difference between web developers and web consultants. The arguments about web developers vs. web consultants is endless. What this means is that there are many connections and differences between the two yet both are focused on the success of your business. They are equally important and one supplements the other. If one of them fails in their task, it may directly impact the functionality of the other.
For website consulting and development services contact Tisha Littlejohn at 312 798 9332 or info@tishalittlejohn.com or use the REQUEST A QUOTE form.
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