What qualifications do you need as a website developer/designer?
Today, with so many of us living our lives online, having a website is no longer optional for businesses: it’s downright essential. And as more brands take steps to establish their presence online, that means the demand for talented website designers and developers has skyrocketed. But with this rise, one question crops up time and time again, and that’s “what qualifications do website designers and developers really need, and why does it matter to customers?” To find out the answer, we sat down for a chat with our very own IT genius Kyle Holmes. Let’s hear what he has to say:
“The short answer? Technically, a web designer or developer doesn’t need any qualifications to get that job title. Anyone can call themselves a website expert, even if they don’t know how to write a single line of code. In fact, you don’t even need to understand how a website is built to start building one! The internet is full of platforms like Squarespace, Wix and Shopify that allow anyone to create a website with little to no technical or code knowledge. These tools are perfect for many businesses of all shapes and sizes, but challenges can arise when you need more than a cookie-cutter site or when your website’s needs go beyond what these platforms can offer.
OK, so when off the shelf doesn’t work, that’s where qualifications can come in? Why is that?
This is where the real value of qualified designers and developers comes in. While the platforms I mentioned above are useful, they’re limited in scope. If you need a website that stands out, offers bespoke functionality / automation or goes beyond the templates and pre-built elements, you’ll need someone who truly understands how to code and can craft a custom solution that works for your business. Someone who’s got qualifications and training is best placed to help!
It’s also important to note that website designers and website developers are different roles, even though they’re mistaken for the same thing! Designers focus on the aesthetic and user experience of a website, while developers make the design work technically. A designer may not need to know how to code, but a developer most certainly does. At Black Nova, we understand the distinction between the two and ensure that our team includes both, with the technical expertise to bring every design idea to life.
Tell us more about why qualifications matter for website designers and developers
When a designer or developer has proper qualifications, it means they’ve been trained in the latest technologies and best practices. They understand key concepts such as site structure, security and performance, all of which can make or break your website. In my experience, a qualified developer isn’t just someone who can build a website; they’re a problem-solver who can offer creative solutions to make your website work exactly how you need it to.
At Black Nova, we’re committed to providing our clients with high-quality, bespoke solutions. We don’t use templates, we build everything from the ground up, whether that’s within WordPress or on a completely custom platform. All our designers and developers are fully qualified, even our junior team members like Sasha, who has passed HTML, CSS and SASS coding courses while working with us.
And what does that mean for your customers?
When you choose to work with a qualified designer or developer, you’re paying for peace of mind as well as a website. You can trust that the team behind your site knows what they’re doing, that they’re invested in staying on top of the latest trends and technologies and that they’re passionate about providing the best possible solution for your business. I’ve heard so many horror stories about people paying a lot for a site that just doesn’t work the way they needed when they get it, so this is so important.
At Black Nova, we build websites that are built to evolve with your business and look fantastic. Whether you need a simple five-page site or a complex, bespoke API system, we create websites and systems that can grow and adapt as your business does. And when something goes wrong or you need to make changes down the line, you’ll know exactly who to turn to. We’re not just about the initial build, our approach creates long-term, sustainable solutions that you can rely on.
In closing, I’d say that our qualifications don’t just show that we have the technical know-how, they’re also a demonstration of our commitment to delivering the highest quality service to every single one of our clients.
If you’d like to see the results of our design and development team’s hard work, why not head over to our portfolio page and see our latest projects!