Since starting my Web Design career a few years ago I have used several different tools to get me by. Some I still use today, some I don’t. Some tools I just couldn’t get along with, some didn’t work as expected and some were just plain rubbish. I thought I would share my current line-up of Software, Hardware and Apps. I won’t go into detail about each tool, as I just wanted to share with you, what it is I use. But please, I would love to hear what you use too.  

Adobe Photoshop CS5

When I first started creating designs for websites, I used Fireworks, as this is the tool to use for web design. Supposedly. Somewhere along the line though I made a shift into using Photoshop and haven’t looked back since. And it’s quite funny how this program, which was developed for photo/image editing, is used widely by web designers to create their mock-ups. But I have to say I would be lost without it.  

Coda / Notepad++

Before I bought my first Apple iMac this year, I had used Windows all my life. So I started with Notepad++. In my eyes the best text editor available for Windows. Well for me at least, it felt right. Being free is also a huge bonus. It just worked how I expected it to and had no real learning curve to it. Check it out if your on a Windows machine. Moving over to the iMac, I purchased Coda. And I have to say that it’s a bit more than a text editor. It also allows you to upload your local files directly to your remote site, without having to use a stand-alone FTP program. Again, It just works as expected. Brilliant bit of kit if your on the Mac.  

Filezilla / Transmit

I found the FTP program Filezilla the easiest to use whilst on my Windows machine. It’s also free as well as easy to use. After moving over the iMac though, I purchased Transmit. With it’s easy to use GUI and setup, I love it.

Project Bubble

To keep track of my clients, my projects and invoices, I use the brilliant Project Bubble online invoicing website. Low cost, excellent customer service, plain and simple to use, it just does the job perfectly for me. There’s not too much stuff in there to get you confused, it has a good balance.  

WordPress

There are many, many CMS’s out there. WordPress is one that I was asked to look at in a previous job of mine. I fell in love with it. It is so easy to install, customize and build for. With the vast amount of theme’s and plugins available, quite a lot free, it is a very flexible system. My clients also enjoy the benefits of their website running on this great system.  

MAMP / WAMP

As a huge WordPress fan, I need a way to run WordPress site’s on my machine. Be it Windows(WAMP) or Mac(MAMP). These tools are free to download, easy to setup and are very valuable tool that I use almost everyday in my work.  

Wunderlist

To keep track of my to-do’s I use Wunderlist. With a free online App, and free Android app. You just can’t go wrong. It looks great, it works great and is so simple to use – what more do you want. Without this app I would be scribbling on paper still!  

Firefox

Firefox is the browser of choice for me to use whilst developing websites. Why? Because of the Firebug and Web Developer Toolbar add-ons. They are an essential part of my work system that I think I would be lost without them. Of course, I love using Google Chrome to surf the web and yes they have great tools too, but I started with Firefox and am going to stick with Firefox.  

Dropbox

Sharing files between my Mac, Windows machine and my mobile has never been easier. Dropbox allows me to connect with my files where ever I am, or whatever machine I am using. As well as the ability to share files with my clients, and vice-versa, this is great tool that saves me a lot of time.  

Office For Mac

I used Microsoft Office on my Windows machine and now use Office For Mac. Pretty much the same bit of software. My main use for Office are my business spreadsheets and creating documents for my clients.  

Gmail

Gmail allows me to view my emails from my Mac, my mobile or anywhere in the world. I can sync all of my email accounts to Gmail so I know I can receive and reply to any email, anywhere and at any time. A very, very valuable tool for me.  

Skype

This tool allows me to chat and to call clients and other work colleagues for free. They can contact me at any time, for free, at any time. I just leave it running in the background.  

Other Tools

My mobile phone is so handy for me. I can send and receive emails, so even if I am out shopping I can respond to client’s more quickly. I can log into websites if need’s be and of course I read all of my RSS feeds whilst on the train or chilling out on the garden. I also install all the latest modern browsers for testing. Such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera. I have IE7/8/9 installed on my Windows Machine for testing too.   I hope you enjoy reading my little blog about my tools. I’d love to hear what tools you use instead of the one’s I do. I am always keen to try out new one’s in order to make my work easier, quicker and more efficient.