Careers
What a website builder is called: roles and rates
Someone who builds a website is called a web designer, a web developer, a front-end developer or, in a team, a web agency. The name follows the task.
Key points
- Web designer: plans the interface and the experience.
- Web developer or front-end developer: builds the site.
- Web agency: coordinates several roles.
- A single professional covers several roles, with trade-offs.
Someone who builds a website is called a web designer if they design the interface, a web developer or front-end developer if they build it, and a web agency if they coordinate a team. Often one person covers several of those roles.
The roles
| Role | What they do | What they don't do |
|---|---|---|
| Web designer | Structure, UI, prototypes | Does not manage servers or databases |
| Front-end developer | HTML, CSS, components, accessibility | Does not set the offer |
| Back-end developer | APIs, databases, integrations | Does not design the interface |
| Content editor | Copy, SEO, content | Does not write code |
| Web agency | Coordinates the work and owns the result | Is not a single professional |
What website creators earn
Pay depends on the role, the experience and the market. A salaried front-end developer earns a salary; a freelancer bills by project or by day. No single rate exists, and publishing numbers without context misleads.
- Freelance: a quote per project, with the scope in writing.
- Employee: gross annual salary set by contract and seniority.
- Agency: a day rate with a margin on the team.
How to choose
Look at the work, not the title. Ask who does what, who owns the content and what happens after delivery. A job title does not tell you whether the site will be accessible, fast and maintainable.
For costs, read how much a website costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is someone who builds a website called?
A web designer, a web developer or a front-end developer. Inside a team, a web agency.
Are a web designer and a web developer the same job?
No: the designer plans the interface and the developer builds it. Often one person does both.
How much does a website creator earn?
It depends on the role, the experience and the market: a salary as an employee, or fees as a freelancer. There is no single figure.
Is a freelancer or an agency better?
A freelancer suits small, direct projects; an agency suits teams, deadlines and a wider skill set.
Who manages the content?
Usually a content editor, or the client, when the CMS is set up for it.