What's the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development?
Web design vs web development explained in plain English — what each one covers, where they overlap, and which one you actually need.
Layout, colour, typography, user flow, and the overall experience. Designers decide what the site says and how a visitor moves through it.
Design = how it looks and feels
Layout, colour, typography, user flow, and the overall experience. Designers decide what the site says and how a visitor moves through it.
Development = how it's built
Turning the design into working code: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, integrations, forms, hosting, and performance.
Why most small businesses need both
A pretty site that's slow or broken doesn't convert. A fast site that looks generic doesn't either. Good agencies handle both — see what's included in our packages.
See it in action
Browse our portfolio for live examples, or contact us to talk through what your project needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a professional small business website cost in Canada?
Most small business websites in Canada cost between $1,500 and $8,000 for a one-time build, or $23–$95 per month on a managed plan. See our current packages for exact pricing.
How long does it take to build a new website?
A typical small business website takes 2–4 weeks from kickoff to launch. Larger custom builds with e-commerce or booking systems usually take 4–8 weeks.
Do you handle hosting and ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Every Cloud Peak Solutions plan includes hosting, SSL, backups, security updates, and monthly content edits so your site stays fast and secure.
About the Author
This article was written by the team at Cloud Peak Solutions, a Vancouver-based web design and digital marketing agency helping small businesses across Canada and the US get more customers online through professional web design, local SEO, and Google Business Profile management. Learn more at cloudpeak.solutions.
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