Web Designer vs Web Developer: What’s the difference? Web Design
Where do you need Web Designers?
You can find the best Web Designers on Bark. Start your search and get free quotes now!
First time looking for a Web Designer and not sure where to start? Tell us about your project and we’ll send you a list of Web Designers to review. There’s no pressure to hire, so you can compare profiles, read previous reviews and ask for more information before you make your decision.
Best of all - it’s completely free!
Tell us about your website project - whether you need a complete redesign, new site build, or specific features like ecommerce. We'll connect you with qualified web designers and web design agencies in your area who match your exact requirements and style preferences.
Receive free, personalized proposals from both freelance web designers and established agencies. Each local website designer provides custom quotes tailored to your project scope and budget. Review proposals instantly or browse at your own pace.
Compare portfolios, verified reviews, and experience levels to choose the right fit. Connect directly with website designers near me to discuss timelines, ask questions, and finalize details. Once you've selected your ideal designer, accept their proposal and start your project.
East South Central
Middle Atlantic
New England
Pacific
South Atlantic
West North Central
Your website is more than just a digital brochure. It's where customers form their first impression, make buying decisions, and decide whether to trust your brand. Whether you need a simple portfolio site, a full e-commerce platform, or something completely custom, the right web designer makes all the difference.
Bark connects you with qualified web designers and agencies across the United States who want to work on your project. Tell us what you need, and we'll match you with professionals whose skills, style, and experience fit. No more scrolling through endless portfolios or wondering if someone's available. You'll only hear from designers who are interested in bringing your vision to life.
Most customers get their first quote within 24 hours. Post your project in 60 seconds and compare free quotes from experienced web designers near you.
Learn more: How much does web design cost?
The web designers and agencies on Bark have experience building all kinds of websites:
E-commerce websites: Full online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom platforms. Product catalogs, shopping carts, payment processing, inventory management.
Business websites: Professional sites for service businesses, consultants, and B2B companies. Clear messaging, lead capture forms, service pages, about pages.
Portfolio sites: Clean, image-focused sites for creatives, photographers, artists, and designers. Gallery layouts, project showcases, contact forms.
WordPress websites: Custom WordPress designs and themes. Easy content management, blog functionality, plugins, and SEO-friendly architecture.
Landing pages: High-converting single-page sites for campaigns, product launches, or lead generation. Focused messaging and strong calls to action.
Website redesigns: Refresh outdated sites with modern designs, better user experience, mobile responsiveness, and improved performance.
Whatever you're building, Bark connects you with professionals who have done it before.
Every business has its own personality. Your website should reflect that. A corporate law firm needs something completely different from a creative agency or a local coffee shop. The designer who can perfectly capture one brand might not be the right fit for another, and that's okay.
When you're hiring a web designer, their portfolio is your best friend. Look beyond just "do I like this design?" Ask yourself:
Building on Shopify? Need custom WordPress development? Want designs created in Figma before development starts? Bark's professional profiles make it easy to find someone with the exact skills you need.
Check reviews from past clients. Look for designers who communicate clearly, meet deadlines, and understand business goals beyond just aesthetics.
Web design costs vary widely depending on what you need and who you hire.
Freelance web designers typically charge:
Web design agencies typically charge:
What affects the price?
DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace cost $15-50/month but require you to do all the work yourself. They're fine for very basic needs but limit customization, scalability, and SEO potential.
The best way to know what your project will cost? Post it on Bark and get free quotes from multiple web designers. You'll see exactly what different professionals charge and what's included.
This is one of the biggest decisions you'll make for your web project. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Working with a freelance web designer:
Freelancers can be excellent for smaller projects, faster turnaround times, and more direct communication. You'll work with one person who owns the entire project from start to finish. They often have lower rates since they don't have agency overhead, and you might find their process more personal and flexible.
Freelance web designers are often specialists in specific platforms (like WordPress or Shopify) or industries. They're great when you have a clear vision and need someone to execute it efficiently.
Working with a web design agency:
Agencies bring multiple specialists to the table. Designers, developers, copywriters, SEO experts. They can handle complex, multi-phase projects with ease. They're usually better equipped for tight deadlines on large sites, ongoing maintenance, and projects that need diverse skill sets.
Agencies typically have more formal processes, project management systems, and quality assurance. Yes, you'll pay more, but you're getting a team, not just a person. If something goes wrong or your main contact leaves, the agency continues working.
The good news? You don't have to figure this out alone. When you post your project on Bark, you'll get quotes from both freelancers and agencies. Their responses will show you who's the right fit based on your timeline, budget, and project scope.
Bark connects you with professional web designers across the United States. Whether you're in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Francisco, or anywhere else, you'll find local web designers who understand your market.
Why work with a local web designer?
That said, many great web designers work remotely with clients across the country. Modern project management tools, video calls, and screen sharing make it easy to collaborate from anywhere.
On Bark, you'll see both local and national options. Choose what works best for your project.
Finding the right web designer isn't just about who has the prettiest portfolio. Here's what matters:
Portfolio quality
Look for diversity in their work. Can they adapt to different brand styles? Are the sites they've built still live and functional? Do they load quickly? Are they mobile responsive?
Industry experience
Have they worked with businesses like yours? A designer who's built restaurant websites understands online menus, reservations, and food photography. One who's done e-commerce knows product pages, checkout flows, and conversion optimization.
Technical skills
What platforms and tools do they use? Do they code custom solutions or work with templates? Can they handle your specific requirements (integrations, custom features, etc.)?
Communication
Do they respond quickly to your initial inquiry? Do they ask good questions about your goals? Can they explain technical concepts in plain English? Poor communication during hiring usually means poor communication during the project.
Process and timeline
What does their design process look like? How many revision rounds are included? What's a realistic timeline for your project? Get specifics upfront.
Post-launch support
What happens after the site goes live? Do they offer training? Maintenance packages? Bug fixes? Make sure you understand ongoing costs and support options.
Questions to ask potential web designers:
Post your project on Bark and ask these questions to multiple designers. You'll quickly see who's thorough, professional, and right for your needs.
Finding a good web designer shouldn't be complicated. Bark makes it simple:
Fast matching: Post your project in 60 seconds. Get quotes from interested designers within hours, not days.
Real reviews: Read feedback from real customers who've worked with each designer. See their ratings, response times, and project history.
Compare options: Get multiple quotes from freelancers and agencies. See who offers the best value for your specific project.
No obligation: Quotes are free. No pressure to hire anyone. Take your time reviewing options and making the right choice.
Everything in one place: Message designers, compare quotes, review portfolios, and hire, all through Bark.
Whether you need a simple business website, a complex e-commerce platform, or a complete website redesign, you'll find experienced web designers ready to help.
Your website is just one piece of your digital presence. Once your site is live, you might need help with search engine optimization, social media marketing, or content creation. Maybe you need a logo designed before you start on the website itself.
Bark connects you with professionals across all areas of digital marketing and design. Whatever your business needs, you'll find qualified experts ready to help.
Browse all our design and digital marketing services.
How much does it cost to hire a web designer in the United States?
Web design costs in the United States range from $500-$2,000 for basic sites by freelancers, to $3,000-$10,000+ for custom designs by agencies. The final cost depends on complexity, features, and timeline. Get free quotes from web designers on Bark to compare prices for your specific project.
Should I hire a freelance web designer or an agency?
Freelance web designers work well for smaller projects with flexible timelines and tighter budgets. Agencies are better for complex sites needing multiple specialists, tight deadlines, or ongoing support. Both freelancers and agencies are available on Bark, so you can compare options and choose what fits your needs.
How long does it take to design a website?
A simple website takes 2-4 weeks, while complex e-commerce or custom sites take 6-12 weeks or more. Timeline depends on your requirements, number of revisions, and how quickly you can provide content and feedback. Your web designer will give you a specific timeline in their quote.
What should I look for in a web designer's portfolio?
Look for designs in your industry, mobile-responsive sites, clean layouts, fast load times, and variety showing they can adapt to different brand styles. Check that their previous sites are still live and functional. Read client reviews and ask about their design process and how they handle feedback.
Do I need a web designer or can I use Wix/Squarespace?
DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace work for very basic needs and tight budgets. Hire a web designer for custom functionality, unique branding, better SEO, scalability, or if you need professional design expertise. Most web designers can work with popular platforms or build custom solutions tailored to your business goals.
Can I hire a web designer who also does SEO?
Many web designers build SEO-friendly websites with proper structure, fast loading speeds, and mobile responsiveness. However, ongoing SEO strategy and content optimization usually requires an SEO specialist. Some designers offer both services, or you can hire separately for each skill set. Learn more about how much SEO services cost.
What's the difference between web design and web development?
Web design focuses on how your site looks: layout, colors, typography, images, user experience. Web development focuses on how it works: coding, functionality, databases, integrations. Many professionals do both. When posting your project on Bark, describe both design and technical requirements so you get matched with the right skills.
How do I know if a web designer is good?
Check their portfolio for quality and variety. Read reviews from past clients. Look for clear communication in their initial response. Ask about their process and timeline. Good web designers ask questions about your business goals, not just what you want the site to look like. They should explain technical concepts clearly and offer suggestions based on experience.
Ready to start your website project?
Get free quotes from qualified web designers in your area. Compare options and hire the perfect professional for your needs. Post your project on Bark today.
Get to the bottom of the difference between Web Design and Web Development in our handy guide
- 800+ HIRES via referral agencies - Most REVIEWED design firm via national consumer rating services - Ranked TOP THREE on Google nationally - 22 IN-HOUSE professionals With more than 25+ years in business of web design and development, we have thousands of client websites, testimonials, and reviews that we can provide you. Our clients have awarded Appnet with an AVERAGE 5-star rating. No job is too large or too small
We do. Next question. In all seriousness, we feel that great collaboration and communication between the client and our design professionals produce a winning formula.
What are your goals? What are you looking for in a team? Are you looking for the cheapest price, or a firm you can trust with a proven track record?
Every conversation is unique. We're always amazed at the creative minds that we meet and get to work with as new clients.
4.90/5.00
based on 691,662 reviews
Augmentify Inc has been very helpful in improving our overall digital presence. Their team worked on SEO improvements, website updates, and social media content. What I liked most was their thoughtful and strategic approach. Instead of rushing into things, they first understood our business goals and target audience. This careful planning made their strategies much more effective. The progress we’ve seen so far has been encouraging.
09 Mar 2026
Mike was great to work with. I highly recommend him and his crew.
06 Mar 2026
Mike was great to work with. I highly recommend him and his crew.
06 Mar 2026
How much is Web Design?
How much does web design cost? This is something that can be incredibly difficult to put a figure on due to the nature of the service. There are also differences based on whether you are looking to work with a freelancer or a web design agency, and also whether you need a large, complicated site or something more simple.
We can help you to connect with the right designer to suit your needs. A clear idea of what you need, and how many pages and features are required, will be influential when it comes to pricing. This will help you to get an accurate quote for web design.
Web Designer vs Web Developer - What’s the Difference?
These two terms may seem like they are used interchangeably but they are two different things. A designer will be focused on the visual and creating a UI to suit the user, whereas a web developer is usually focused on the actual core of the website, making it function and using coding to enable it to do what it is supposed to.
When working with a web designer, if you want the whole package of a fully finished and functioning website, check that this is something they can offer before you employ their services. Make sure you have understood if they are offering web design or development, or both.
Types of Web Design
Responsive - A responsive web page design means that the site is viewable on a number of devices. The design automatically sizes to the screen and the designer doesn’t need to make formats for different devices and desktops.
Liquid or Fluid - This is a style of design that will shrink or stretch to the shape of the browser, and the page will look enlarged or shrunk, rather than items being rearranged. The size of the items in the design alter in relation to one another depending on the browser being used.
Fixed design - Fixed pages do not alter according to the browser automatically. On some devices such as tablets this can make it harder to see the content as you need to scroll around the page or pinch the screen in order to zoom in on sections. Though it is sometimes essential, fixed design is becoming less common.
How do I check a Web Designer’s credentials?
Whether you are working with a freelancer or a big agency, they will have a portfolio for you to view. This allows you to see other, similar projects they have worked on and decide if they have the skills you need.
There are a number of web design certifications and they may be happy to share any they have attained, but there isn’t one standardized industry body.
If you are worried about a designer’s credentials you can also check their feedback from other clients, which you can view on their Bark profile.
Web Design freelancer vs agency
Should you work with a freelancer or an agency? This is one of the decisions you need to make when looking to plan a web design project.
Working with a freelance Web Designer
This may be an option that can save you money. Freelancers are often able to charge less as they don’t have the same overheads as an agency.
Working with a Web Design agency
Web design agencies may have a bigger set of skills to draw upon than a freelancer as they will usually have a number of staff and designers working for them. They may also be able to show you a bigger portfolio, but you can expect to pay more when using an agency.
Can I get Web Design services online?
Definitely! One of the advantages of hiring a web designer is that they are able to provide services to their clients from any location. However, if your website is for a local audience, then you might want to hire someone nearby rather than further afield, so that they better understand your target market.
