Web Development vs. Web Management: Unlocking the Power of Your Website
In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for any business or organization. However, creating and maintaining a website is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing work and attention to ensure that the website is up-to-date, secure, and functioning correctly. This is where web development and web management come into play.
At Cowe, we understand that web development and web management are two distinct concepts that are often confused with each other. In this blog, we will explore the differences between web development and web management and their respective roles in creating and maintaining a successful website.
Web Development: Building the Foundation
Web development is the process of creating a website from scratch. It is everything from designing the website’s layout, creating its functionality, writing the copy needed for each page, and setting up your SEO. It might even mean writing the code that makes everything work!
At Cowe, we understand the importance of starting a web development project with a clear understanding of your business, brand, and objectives.
Our resident website expert, Ryan Rossitto, emphasizes the value of sitting down with you and asking pertinent questions. “We want to know about you, we want to know about your business. What do your clients look like? What does your competition look like?”
And its at this stage that your branding rules are established; rules such as logos, color schemes, typography, as well as the tone of voice and messaging throughout the website. Integrating a strong brand identity into the web development process helps you to effectively communicate your values, establish credibility, and leave a lasting impression, leading to solid brand recognition and long-term success.
Web Management: Keeping the Website Running
Web management is an ongoing process that involves maintaining and updating a website. It includes tasks such as content management, security management, performance management, and analytics management. Web managers are responsible for keeping the website running smoothly and ensuring that it meets the needs of its users.
Content management involves regularly updating the website’s content to keep it relevant and up-to-date. This includes adding new information, modifying existing content, and managing multimedia elements. Security management focuses on protecting the website from cyber threats and ensuring that it is secure. It involves implementing security measures, performing regular backups, and staying informed about the latest security practices.
Performance management is essential for optimizing the website’s speed and functionality. Web managers monitor the website’s performance, analyze data, and make necessary adjustments to improve user experience. Analytics management involves analyzing website data to gain insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and overall website performance. This information can be used to make informed decisions and further enhance the website’s effectiveness.
Web Development vs. Web Management: Understanding the Differences
While web development and web management are distinct concepts, they are closely related and work hand-in-hand to create and maintain a successful website. Web development focuses on building the foundation of the website, while web management ensures its smooth operation. The key differences between the two can be summarized as follows:
Focus: Web development centers around building the website’s foundation, while web management concentrates on keeping the website running smoothly.
Skills: Web development requires expertise in either something like WordPress, or in coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. It also requires some back-end development, whereas web management involves skills such as content management, security management, performance management, and analytics management.
Timeframe: Web development is a one-time process that lays the groundwork for the website, while web management is an ongoing process that ensures the website remains up-to-date, secure, and performing well.
Goals: The goal of web development is to create a functional and user-friendly website that drives business your way. If you like metaphors, think of it like this – web development is like building a boat, and web maintenance keeps it afloat!
