Tools and Resources

I’ve been a web designer for several years and I’m always asked what tools I use. Questions vary from design to invoicing.

So I thought I’d put a quick post together to share what tools I use. Unlike some other bloggers out there the links below are not affiliation links – in other words I don’t get a percentage of money if you buy or sign up for the products listed.

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5
Without a doubt the cream of the crop when it comes to WYSIWYG editors. I’ve been using Dreamweaver since November of 2000 (back when it was a Macromedia product). Dreamweaver is great tool for the beginner and the advanced. It cuts down a lot of time in creating designs.

Photoshop Elements 8.0
I know I should have Photoshop CS5.5 but I’m too cheap. Photoshop Elements is a very good image editor tool. Not has hefty as Photoshop, but as the name implies, it has elements of its bigger sister. It can do all the basics which is just fine for me.

Color Cop
Ever wanted to know what colors are being used on websites? Simply drag the eyedropper control to any location on the screen and release. The hex color code for the selected color will be automatically copied to the clipboard. You can store up to 7 colors from the quick access area and several more from the color pallet.

Hootsuite
I use Hootsuite for clients and my own social media interaction. Hootsuite enables me to organize all the different social media outlets into one place. You also have the Google analytics and Facebook Insights integration. Very useful tool. All for $5/mo.

Constant Contact
I was a Constant Contact user a several years ago. I started using Aweber a couple of years ago and just recently switched back to Constant Contact. CTCT (short for Constant Contact) has great social media integration, as well as, webinars and instructor-led seminars that I have found very useful. If you are looking for a simple form system use AWeber, but I’m sticking with Constant Contact.

Freshbooks
I use Freshbooks for all my invoicing. You can create your own pre-defined tasks such as Maintenance or Development as well as PayPal integration. Clients are a sent a link to review the invoice via email. Additionally, Freshbooks has a handy little time-tracker tool which can be applied to an invoice. I use the free account and I highly recommend you check it out.

goDaddy
I have been using goDaddy very several years now and haven’t had a problem up until this month. My blog went down for 40 minutes and goDaddy had no idea why – a little disconcerting. Despite that little set-back I really don’t have a problem with goDaddy. Although it might behoove me (yep I said behoove) to investigate other options. A web hosting provider is like the cable company – once you sign up you just keep on paying the bill. I’d like to know your thoughts and experiences with goDaddy – please post in comments below.

Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools
If you aren’t using these tools for your website or your clients websites then you are doing a disservice to both. Google Analytics is a fantastic analytic reporting tool. It records everything from visitors to what mobile device the visitors are using. If you are in web development and are not using Webmaster tools then shame on you. A cornucopia of information about your website including sitemaps, 404 errors, robot.txt files, etc.

Camtasia Studio 7
I use Camtasia Studio for all video editing. I have been a Techsmith fan for a very long time and have slowly progressed from SnagIt to Jing a now this year with Camtasia Studio.

WordPress
I love WordPress! The saying for Apple is “There’s an app for that”, well, for WordPress it is “there’s a plugin for that.” WordPress plugin developers are great, and if you get the chance be sure and thank them or even donate. Aside from the plethora of plugins, WordPress is easy to use and set up and from a web designer’s perspective easy enough to manipulate the php code and css to make WordPress into something a little more substantial than just a “blog.”

Twuffer
I recently came across this site when I was researching the ability to schedule tweets. I know, I know, that’s a big no-no. Well, truth be told, lots of folks in Twitterville use such tools. Don’t be fooled. I do realtime tweet, but I like the flexibility to schedule a few tweets throughout the day. There are several website tools that allow you to schedule your tweets – for pay and free. I use Twuffer because it is simple to use.

So there you have it. A few of my favorite tools that I use an a daily/weekly basis. What are your favorite web designer/developer or social media tools that you use?