Digital Marketing vs Web Development: What’s The Difference?

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Web development and digital marketing are two of the first online careers that come to mind.

Whether you’re experienced in the online business world, or you’re trying to figure out where you should start, you’re in the right place.

There are plenty of differences and similarities shared between the two.

Digital marketing refers to selling ads and services for a company, whereas web development is the act of creating websites, pages, and other online information. They are both worthwhile careers, but they’re quite dissimilar to one another.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information about digital marketing vs web development:

  • The various differences between these two career paths
  • How you can choose one or the other
  • A list of the few similarities that they share

Ready? Let’s dive right in.

Digital Marketing vs Web Development: How Are They Different?

Web development and digital marketing offer high-quality services to millions of online clients. They also provide a top-notch career for those who prefer to go an alternative route.

Whether you’re tired of working for a boss or you simply enjoy the time spent at home, hard work can allow you to succeed in either field.

Here’s a list of the differences between digital marketing and web development:

  • As shown by T Group Method, digital marketers care about sales and profit, whereas web developers want to create functional, eye-catching material. The end goal of both careers is to make an income, but web developers are much more artistic than the job requirements of a digital marketer.
  • Web development creates full websites or static pages, but digital marketers only focus on email campaigns, ads, and other sources of advertisement. A web developer usually designed pages that will keep a reader’s attention, making them much more likely to enjoy the experience. A digital marketer wants them to convert into shoppers.
  • Digital marketers usually work on shorter projects, while web developers often have multiple months working on the same job. If you’re trying to design an entire website with code, then it’s going to take much longer than writing a few emails or running someone’s social media accounts.
  • Digital marketers usually have more repeat customers than web developers. Once a website is completed, it’s all done. However, digital marketers often see customers come back for new ads that relate to different products that they’ve recently updated or created. That’s not to say that digital marketers make more money, though.
  • Web developers typically have to have a better rapport than digital marketers. Companies are willing to spend a lot more money on developing an entire website since they only have one shot. A few bad ads from a digital marketer won’t ruin their business, but a bad website could do serious damage.

It’s clear that there are all sorts of differences.  The list above is just a handful of what you should expect. 

Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of digital marketing and web development in order to choose the one that’s right for you.

Choosing Between Web Development vs Digital Marketing

Now that you understand how they’re practically complete opposites, it’s time to choose either digital marketing or web development. This section will cover the advantages and disadvantages of both jobs to paint a clearer picture. Without further ado, let’s dive into the lists below.

Pros of Web Development

  • Web development allows you to be creative. Customers often have a vision for what they want the website to look like, but you’ll be the one who brings it to life. Many businesses allow you to have complete control over the project if you’ve provided high-quality results. Those who enjoy creativity will love this aspect of web development.
  • Web development jobs last for a long time. You’re able to get repeat customers, but not quite as often as digital marketing. Nonetheless, long-lasting jobs provide a great income, reliable job security, and a good relationship with the business that you’re working for. These partnerships can get you more jobs by word of mouth.
  • Thousands of small businesses don’t have websites, but they want one. According to WP Forms, up to 46% of small businesses weren’t in possession of a website back in 2018. Almost all of them believed that they would benefit from having a website, but they simply don’t have the time or knowledge to create it.

Cons of Web Development

  • Web development requires a lot of coding knowledge, which is something that millions of us don’t possess. If you’re not familiar with coding, website information, and how to make something eye-catching on the internet, then you’ll need to take quite a few courses to get caught up.
  • It’s harder to get into web development without any credentials than it is for a digital marketer. Again, a company won’t worry as much about hiring a bad digital marketer since a couple of non-converting ads won’t dent their budget. A terrible web developer causes expensive problems that the company has to fix later on.

Pros of Digital Marketing

  • There are plenty of online courses that will get you up to speed with digital marketing in as little as one month. If you’re serious about learning how to become a high-end, sought-after digital marketer, then investing in yourself will be the best course of action. You’ll learn quite a bit, and you can claim the course on your resume.
  • Digital marketing usually doesn’t require any knowledge of coding. You need to know how to create ads that convert social media posts that gain followers, and mottos that make people want to subscribe. The goal of a digital marketer is to make someone want to spend their money in one way or another.
  • Digital marketers often get more work than web developers. Once a page or website is created, it’s all done. You might need to go back and help with small edits, but that’s about it. Digital marketers get repeat clients and much more work to keep up with current trends and sales.

Cons of Digital Marketing

  • There are millions of digital marketers, making it a tough field to get into. If you’re willing to try the aforementioned courses, you can accelerate the process. Another suggestion is to create social media profiles and a website to get your name out there and show off your skillset to potential clients.
  • Digital marketing can be learned, but it’s often thought of as ‘something that you’re born with’. Selling is a natural talent that some people have more than others. If you already work for commission or your job is in the sales department, then you might have a leg up on other applicants.

The few similarities between the two include the following three takeaways:

  1. Both jobs can work independently or for a corporation.
  2. They both require hard work and constant knowledge of current market trends.
  3. There’s a beginner’s barrier that requires persistence and growth to breakthrough.

Digital Marketing vs Web Development Conclusion

Digital marketing and web development are fun careers that call for dedication and a true passion for the craft. If you’re not interested in creating good ads, engaging emails, popping social media posts, or beautiful, functional websites, then they might not be for you.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

  • Web development focuses on the creative side of making a website from scratch.
  • Digital marketing is the practice of making ads that convert people into customers.
  • You can choose to work remotely or at an office for either job.
  • You need coding knowledge for web development, but not always for digital marketing.

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