Nowadays we hear more and more job names like web designer, web developer, webmaster and so on. If you are working in this industry then I believe you can make a difference between a designer and a developer, but what about someone who is a beginner?

The most important job categories are:

1. Web Designer
2. Web Developer
3. Webmaster
4. Web Programmers
5. Web Publications Designers
6. Web Writers
7. Web Producers

Web Designer

The simplest definition is this: A web designer is someone who designs web pages. He is more focused on the look and feel of a website than how it works. A web designer is not a programmer, he usually knows only HTML, CSS, Project Management (especially if he is a freelancer) and working with design tools like Adobe Photoshop.

In other words, web designers are responsible for creating the look and feel of a website. This involves developing a graphic design that effectively communicates the ideas being promoted by the Web site. A web designer may take part in the initial planning of a Web site, meeting with the client to discuss ideas for the layout and organization of the site, the types of colors or images to use (photos, illustrations, videos, etc.), and other matters concerning overall graphic design. Sometimes a web producer has already developed a basic concept for the web page. In this case it is the web designer’s task to create a design that matches the producer’s ideas.

You can get a computer science degree at GMercyU , which is a good step in becoming a web designer. However, most web designers also have a background in fine arts, graphic design, or publishing combined with their college courses in computer science and hands-on computer experience.

Because web designers work with a client or web producer to develop and refine ideas, they must have strong verbal and visual communications skills. Designers should be able to listen closely to the client and create pages that reflect what the client is looking for.

Some people use the term Web Designer to refer to anyone who does anything on a website but this is wrong.

Web Developer

A web developer is someone who programs web pages. A web developer is more focused on the way a website works than how it looks. They typically use HTML text editors and work with databases and programming languages as well as HTML. Web developers won’t be asked to create the look and feel of a website so when you are looking for web developers, you are looking for people with a strong programming skills that can build and maintain websites that function well.

The web developer must also make sure that forms work properly. Various scripting languages exist in which to create surveys, contests, and sales mechanisms — the means to securely transfer information between visitors and the website. Browser settings for cookies and scripts can hamper the proper functioning of some Web forms. A Web developer takes all of this into consideration so that when a visitor fills in a form, they are sure to get satisfaction, and not have the form “hang” or “reappear blank” upon clicking the “Send” button. A site that is broken doesn’t bode well for business.

Webmaster

Many people say that a webmaster must be half web designer and half web developer. In my opinion, a webmaster is the person who maintains the web server and keeps it running. Generally, a webmaster’s responsibilities include: register and maintain the website’s domain name, monitor the size of the site to ensure allowed bandwidth and disk space is not exceeded,  plan future growth, requirements and limitations of the website. He can also be the person that runs the site on a daily basis, makes content updates, and bridges the gap between the user the dev team and the company.

Web Programmers

A lot of people make the mistake of saying that a web developer is the same thing as a web programmer, but that is not true and I will explain why. Let’s remember that web developer could be someone who is specialized in building web sites. With this in mind, we can say that a web developer would be a subset of programmers.  If we are going further, we can also say that a web programmer is a person who is specialized in building web applications. Also, a web developer have skills that may not directly relate to programming. Furthermore, one does not need to have any programming knowledge to develop web sites.

Web Publications Designers

Web publications designers use computer software to format and combine text, data, photographs, charts, and other graphic art or illustrations into prototypes of pages and other documents that are to be printed. They then may print the document on a high-resolution printer or send the materials to a commercial printer. Examples of materials produced by desktop publishers include books, brochures, calendars, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, and forms. Desktop publishers need good manual dexterity, and they must be able to pay attention to detail and work independently. In addition, good eyesight, including visual acuity, depth perception, a wide field of view, color vision, and the ability to focus quickly, are assets. Artistic ability often is a plus.

Web Writers

Web writers produce a wide variety of written materials in an increasing number of ways. They develop content using any number of multimedia formats that can be read, listened to, or viewed onscreen. Although many people write as part of their primary job, or on online chats or blogs, only writers and editors who are paid to primarily write or edit are included in this occupation. Copy writers prepare advertising copy for use in publications or for broadcasting and they write other materials to promote the sale of a good or service. They often must work with the client to produce advertising themes or slogans and may be involved in the marketing of the product or service.

Web Producers

A web producer is a hybrid position that combines aspects of journalism, design and marketing. Web producers are responsible for driving traffic to web pages and, more than simply the look of a website, web producers need to focus on the user experience. This means deciding how content is presented. Should, for example, the content appear as an article? As a poll? In video form? To that end, web producers need to know the most effective way for users to interact with a site. Some web producers may have more of a technical role, while others may be more heavily involved in the creation of content. How much content a web producer creates varies from position to position.