tools for web designers – Web Design Ledger https://webdesignledger.com By Web Designers for Web Designers Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:36:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-Web-Design-Ledger-512x512-Pixel-32x32.png tools for web designers – Web Design Ledger https://webdesignledger.com 32 32 10+ Excellent Web Design Tools & Resources to Use in 2024 https://webdesignledger.com/10-excellent-web-design-tools-resources-use-2024/ https://webdesignledger.com/10-excellent-web-design-tools-resources-use-2024/#respond Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://webdesignledger.com/?p=52766 It’s a New Year, but one thing hasn’t changed. The number of web design resources and tools just keeps on increasing. That’s a good thing. But it does make it that much more difficult to find a theme, plugin, or resource you really have a need for if you are to stay abreast of or […]]]>

It’s a New Year, but one thing hasn’t changed. The number of web design resources and tools just keeps on increasing. That’s a good thing. But it does make it that much more difficult to find a theme, plugin, or resource you really have a need for if you are to stay abreast of or leapfrog the competition.

We are in a position to make your search easier. Much easier in fact. We reviewed and tested web design tools & resources we believe many users, designers, and developers have a genuine need for. The types we believe to be essential, and that you will see in our final list of 15 are:

  • website builders for building landing pages and multiple-page websites quickly, easily, and without any need for coding.
  • WordPress plugins that can incorporate potentially game-changing functionalities, that are challenging to design, into websites.
  • WordPress themes for building complex and high-conversion rate websites and online stores.
  • Vector illustrations that can give a website a whimsical or entertaining aspect.
  • font identifiers to identify and provide access information to a “must have” font or fonts.

A majority of the web design resources and tools in the following list have a free or trial version:

What are a few of the important attributes these Excellent Web Design Tools & Resources for Designers and Agencies share?

  • They look premium. There is something about a top tool or resource that makes you wish you had acquired it a long time ago, e.g., how enjoyable it is to use.
  • They are intuitive. From signing up, to downloading, using, cancelling, and anything in between, everything needed is placed precisely where it should be.
  • They add real value. They facilitate getting more and higher paid assignments by helping you deliver web design projects faster, making your final deliverables more attractive, or both.

15 best web design Tools & Resources for Designers and Agencies

To help you in your research, we’ve included top features, customer average grade on non-biased platforms such as Trustpilot, Capterra or WordPress.org, and client feedback.

Ready? Then let’s get started. 

1. Brizy Builder™

Brizy is the best website builder for Agencies, Designers, and anyone else in need of a White Label solution.

Brizy’s top feature is without a doubt its 100% customizable White Label solution that allows its users to add their own branding, including the builder name, builder logo, domain URL, support link, about link, and project subdomain.

Brizy Builder’s library of demo/template/prebuilt websites is also highly popular with its users. Soulful and Cuisine is one of the 5 most downloaded pre-built websites. It is attractive and inspirational, and while it provides an ideal foundation for a restaurant or bistro, the layout can be used for other service-oriented website types as well.

There’s more to like as well. New users quickly become aware of Brizy’s intuitiveness, and their ability to edit any type of content in place. Many competing builders force their users to create their content in a disjointed sidebar. That’s not the case with Brizy.

Customer Average Grade: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot

Client Feedback:I am amazed by my experience with Brizy. The tool is easy to use, and the support is one of the best I have ever experienced. Fast replies and my contact really went the extra mile in helping me solve my problem. I can only recommend Brizy to everyone who’s looking to build their own website”!

Instant Support Materials:  Documentation, Brizy Academy, Useful Blog Posts and YouTube videos

View the Builder 

2. Trafft – Booking Software

 The Best Free Scheduling Online Software Solution for Business Owners.

Flexibility is always important when selecting a theme or plugin. The top feature of this software solution is the ability to operate in a wide range of languages because of its powerful Multilingual Notifications System.

This user favorite:

  • facilitates the effective management of appointments and events using email, SMS and/or WhatsApp messages.
  • keeps users informed about the status of appointments or events.
  • offers custom notifications that enable users to tailor alerts for specific services or events.

The library of prebuilt websites also plays a significant role in making working with Trafft a pleasant experience. The Career Mastery Coaching prebuilt website illustrates what an effective event booking system might look like.

Key features users notice once they start using Trafft include easy backend and frontend interface navigation and the power the customization options bring to the table.

Web developers and digital design agencies can be expected to be more than pleased to discover that Trafft offers a White Label option.

Customer Average Grade: 5 stars on Capterra

Client Feedback:  “ I love that Trafft has so much included – and that you can customize literally everything, including the email & SMS notification wording (which is a big deal for me since I like communications to be in my brand voice).”

Support Materials:  Trafft’s ticketing system. Support manual, YouTube videos, social media, and email.

View the Booking Solution

3. wpDataTables -The Best Tables & Charts WordPress Table Plugin

 wpDataTables offers an ideal solution for businesses and individuals who need to create tables and charts.

The wpDataTable plugin’s top feature, its Multiple Database Connections capability, represents a data management breakthrough by empowering every table to become a data hub that can pull information from different databases or servers.

By simplifying data management tasks, wpDataTables allows its users to create custom, responsive, easily editable tables and charts with ease.  A bookseller could probably put this Responsive Catalog Table with Books to good use.

Features new wpDataTables users will discover include:

  • an abundance of useful functionality wrapped in an intuitive package.
  • the ability to adroitly manage complicated data structures.

wpDataTables also supports separate connections for working with specialized database systems and features chart engines for displaying data for marketing, financial, and environmental uses.

Customer Average Grade: 4.5/5 pm WprdPress.org

Client Feedback:WpDataTables is an excellent WordPress Plugin. What you are able to accomplish with this plugin is nothing short of amazing. Their support is even better! Highly, highly recommend using this product and supporting this company.

I have tried different utilities for creating charts out of a series of CSV files I use for weather data, but it has been a hassle until I discovered wpDataTables which does exactly what I need. Very user friendly and versatile. And it also understands that there are other standards for date, decimal, and time apart from the Americas.”

Instant Support Materials:  Support manual, the Facebook community, and YouTube videos

View wpDataTables

4. Uncode – Creative & WooCommerce WordPress Theme

Uncode is the #1 WordPress and WooCommerce theme for creatives, professional designers, and agencies looking for an ideal solution for any project.

While Uncode’s ensemble of website building tools and options would seem to more than justify its popularity, most of its users say the demo library is its #1 feature. The demos not only exhibit exceptional attention to detail but have proven to be excellent sources of inspiration as well.

Uncode’s classic Web Experiences is one of the 5 most downloaded  demos. Just imagine what you could do with it.

New users are impressed with the value inherent in Uncode’s demos and wireframes, the level of customization, and the top-notch customer support.

Uncode’s principal users are:

  • Agencies and Freelancers, because of the multitude of options that cover the needs of every customer or client.
  • Shop creators, who can easily make effective use of Uncode’s advanced WooCommerce features.

Customer Average Grade: 4.89/5

Client Feedback:I have used Uncode on 6+ websites now, and it’s absolutely my go-to theme! The features, quality, and customer support are outstanding. The developers do an incredible job of keeping the theme up to date and stable, constantly implementing new features and optimizing the theme. A solid product with great documentation and responsive support team. Kudos!”

Instant Support Materials:  Support manual, Facebook groups, YouTube videos

Purchase the Theme

5. LayerSlider – Best WordPress Slider Builder Plugin

 LayerSlider, the top-rated WordPress slider plugin, empowers web designers to effortlessly enhance websites and make them truly shine.

LayerSlider’s scroll effect has emerged as its top feature. You can find it prominently displayed in the recent batch of full-size hero scene and whole website templates. Scroll through the Flavor Factory pre-built web page and see how easy it can be to use LayerSlider to help capture and engage visitors.

LayerSlider easily accommodates a range of uses, from creating simple sliders or slideshows to sprucing up your site with captivating animated content.

Newer users appreciate:

  • LayerSlider’s customizable interface that suggests the plugin was created specifically for their use only.
  • easy access to millions of stock photos and videos plus other integrated online services.
  • the Project Editor that ensures that what you need is right where you need it.

LayerSlider also really shines when there is a need to create content for marketing purposes. Marketers are impressed with the mind-blowing effects that can be incorporated into their popups and banners.

Client Feedback: “A fantastic slider plugin with regular updates to make sure compatibility is never a problem. Keep up the amazing work!”

Support Materials:  Product manual, In-editor help, support tickets, and email.

Preview LayerSlider

6. Amelia – WordPress Booking Plugin for Appointments and Events

 Amelia is the best WordPress plugin for Agencies and Businesses in need of a streamlined booking solution.

The automated notifications system is Amelia’s top feature. Users could tell you how easy it was to categorize and position appointments as pending, approved, cancelled, rejected, or rescheduled. Special notices such as upcoming events or birthday congratulations can also be forwarded via the notifications system to assist clients and enhance their loyalty.

Amelia offers a number of templates that can be customized to help businesses grow. Yoga Studio is a notable example of how a template can be put to use to advertise a business.

Those new to Amelia could tell you about:

  • the ease of navigation they discovered, the innovativeness exhibited in the backend and frontend interfaces, and its functionality and user-friendly design.
  • the value its transparent pricing policy offers.
  • the extent of the customization options.

The Amelia plugin offers an ideal booking solution for service-oriented businesses including those specializing in ticket sales and/or events. Programming agencies and developers could also profit from having Amelia in their design toolkits.

Customer Average Grade: 4.8 on Capterra

Client Feedback:Great plugin, I have tested similar, but Amelia seems to be the best for my site, I have many customers through the site, and everybody is satisfied with this appointment system. Sometimes there are a few bugs but quickly corrected through regular updates. Globally very good notation.”

Instant Support Materials:  YouTube videos, Discord Group, and Support Manual

View Amelia

7. WhatFontIs

The most powerful and  accurate free font identifier.

This tool’s top feature is its accuracy. WhatFontis users have a 90%+ chance of finding whatever free or licensed font they want identified.

No other system can claim that accuracy, and most of them charge a fee for whatever service they provide. It is worth noting that the ability of WhatFontis to identify a given font correctly can be compromised if the quality of the submitted image is subpar, and that is what accounts for some of the roughly 10% of missed identifications.

WhatFontis can do what it does best in part because of its database of 990K+ free and commercial fonts. This is nearly 5 times as many fonts as that attributed to the nearest competitor.

Whether the goal is to identify a specific font sent by a client, or simply because it is attractive, a customer wants to know what it is and where to find it. A search can be conducted for a font regardless of its publisher, producer, or foundry.

The process is as easy as can be.

  • Upload a clean font image.
  • In response, an AI-powered search engine identifies the font and as many as 60 close neighbors.
  • Links are provided that show where a free font can be downloaded or where a commercial font can be purchased.

Note: Cursive font letters must be separated before being submitted.

Client Feedback:I came across this website courtesy Google search, used their services successfully; and today I find out it’s on product hunt! If you are ‘driven’ by the need to discover what font ‘that person/ company’ uses, then this should be your go-to solution site. For most of us it would be a once in a blue moon need, except for the professionals.”

Types of Instant Support Materials: User Forum

View WhatFontis

8. Slider Revolution – More than just a WordPress Slider

 Slider Revolution is the best WordPress plugin for Designers, Web Developers and anyone seeking a way to create jaw-dropping animated sliders.

This plugin’s top feature is the ability it gives to its users to visually create stunning animated effects for WordPress.

The Slider Revolution plugin is not limited to creating sliders. It can be used to:

  • create stunning home pages that immediately engage its visitors.
  • create portfolios that will be viewed a second, or third, time because of the method of presentation.
  • design eye-catching sections anywhere on a website.

A stroll through Slider Revolution’s library of 250+ templates may be all that’s necessary if you need a little inspiration to get started. These templates have been 100% optimized for different screen configurations and feature special effects you won’t see on most websites. The Woodworking Website template for example, makes clever use of the hover effect to highlight both text and images. The layout itself can be used for a wide variety of website types or niches.

The Slider Revolution plugin is tailor made for individual web designers and developers, web shops, and small agencies.

Customer Average Grade: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot

Client Feedback:I absolutely love the Slider Revolution. It does wonders for my projects. I am super excited about all of the templates that are ready for use. Their support has been incredible”.

Instant Support Materials:  Support Manual, YouTube videos

View the Plugin

9. Getillustrations – Creative Stock Illustrations Library

The best resource for designers who are looking for top quality illustrations with terrific attention to detail.

Getillustrations’ top feature is three things in one; 21,500+ vector illustrations, free updates for one year, and new illustrations added every week. In other words, once you get started, good things keep coming your way!

You will have 40+ nicely arranged categories to select from. Most categories have several hundred illustrations, a few have more than 1,000.

These illustrations appeal to clients ranging from students and businesses to designers and developers. You’ll find pencil and basic ink illustrations, several 3D illustration categories, and fitness, logistics, and ecology illustrations to name but a few, and since they are exclusive to Getillustrations you will have an edge over those using other stock illustration resources.

You can purchase illustrations by the pack if you choose to. The Motion Illustrations pack is one of the larger ones with 1,090 vector web illustrations at latest count .These Motion illustrations feature a diverse range of themes, each of which makes a statement.

Client Feedback: “I really like the different styles available in this library. I used it to illustrate some of my blog posts. Since you get vector files, you can also recolor them to have them match your brand and product identity!”

Support Materials:  Vector stock illustrations in .Ai .Figma .PNG and .SVG

View Getillustrations Offerings

10. Mobirise AI Website Builder

The best tool for creating and downloading full page websites using prompt commands only.

The Mobirise AI website builder is a revolutionary tool that uses intelligent algorithms to generate beautiful websites. Its top feature enables its user to generate a website using a single prompt.

The super-intuitive single prompt interface makes Mobirise AI an ideal choice for anyone looking for a simplistic yet efficient design approach.

  • Describe in detail what your site is all about, and this AI website builder will take your data and through the use of intelligent algorithms auto-generate a basic layout.
  • Once that is accomplished you can use prompts to customize style, colors, fonts, etc., and edit pre-generated content to suit your needs.
  • When you have the beautiful, optimized for Google and mobile devices website you want you can launch it with a single prompt.

Note: Even though Mobirise AI does much of the work, you retain full ownership of your website.

Client Feedback:The AI website builder was astonishingly intuitive. What I appreciated the most was the seamless drag-and-drop interface which allowed me to position elements anywhere on my site. The AI’s design recommendations saved me hours of second-guessing my layout choices. Not to mention, the automatic SEO feature was a godsend–it optimized my site without me having to learn the complex ins and outs.”

Instant Support Materials:  Support Manual, User Forum, YouTube Videos

View the AI Website Builder

11. XStore – Best WooCommerce WordPress Theme

XStore is the best WooCommerce theme for anyone looking to quickly build a high-converting online store.

XStore is obviously tailored for use by shop owners and prospective shop owners who seek an online presence. While the selection of ready-made stores (pre-built websites) has always been highly popular, the recently introduced selection of Sales Booster features has emerged as the top favorite.

New users soon come to appreciate the Builders Panel and the intuitive XStore Control Panel, both of which give them the store-building and customization flexibility needed to create the custom store they envision.

They also like the solid start XStore’s pre-built websites make possible. The layout of the Marseille prebuilt website is an excellent example of why it’s possible for a novice to get a store up in running in a few hours.

XStore doesn’t stop there. Its users have instant access to the powerful family of Single Product, Checkout, Cart, Archive Products, and 404 Page Builders; all favorites of shop owners.

Customer Average Grade: 4.87/5

Client Feedback: “I love this theme! There’s a wider learning curve to go through before getting a hang of the features, but the overall versatility and aesthetic factor is excellent.”

Instant Support Materials:  Support Manual, YouTube videos

Buy the Theme

12. Blocksy – Premium WooCommerce WordPress theme

Blocksy is the best free WordPress theme for building attractive, lightweight websites in 2024.

There doesn’t appear to be much about Blocksy that its users don’t love. Consequently, when it comes to identifying this premium WooCommerce WordPress theme’s top feature, there’ s a 4-way tie.

  • Blocksy’s footer and header builders are super-user friendly.
  • Gutenberg support ensures top performance.
  • Developers love the advanced hooks and display conditions.
  • Everyone appreciates seamless WooCommerce integration together with its associated features.

And on top of it all, Blocksy is free!

Several of the things new users quickly recognize is that Blocksy:

  • uses the latest web technologies.
  • provides exceptional performance.
  • integrates easily with the most popular plugins.

Cosmetic is a beautiful, meticulously crafted starter site with a pleasant design that lets products take center stage. While centered on beauty products, its layout can be used for a wide variety of website niches. Cosmetic is one of the 5 most commonly used starter sites.

Customer Average Grade: 5/5 on WordPress.org

Client Feedback:Blocksy is fast and light, responsive and beautiful.
Blocksy has nothing superfluous and has everything you need.
I love Blocksy, and Blocksy loves me.”

Instant Support Materials:  A readily accessible Documentation Section, Support Manual, YouTube videos. Facebook Group

View Blocksy 

13. Total WordPress Theme

 Total is the best WordPress theme for web designers and developers seeking the flexibility required to design from-scratch.

Total’s top feature is its seemingly unlimited flexibility. Its assortment of design tools and options makes it a Swiss Army knife of website design and is one reason its name is so appropriate. A well-deserved reputation for amazing support also tends to set Total apart.

Not long after becoming acquainted with Total, its users could tell you about a number of things they discovered and like including the fact that:

  • Total has settings for everything, tons of page building options, a font manager, custom post types, and more.
  • Total is speed optimized.
  • Total provides dynamic templates for posts and archives.

Total’s pre-built website collection is another favorite. Synergy’s minimalistic design lends itself to a wide range of uses and is one of the 5 most widely used pre-built websites.

Total is tailored for beginners, developers, and DIYers. Advanced designers like Total as well, and for all intents and purposes, anyone else will too.

Customer Average Grade: 4.86/5

Client Feedback: “I have been using Total for several years now for several (10+) websites. Out of the box it’s already a great theme and very well documented. Some websites required specific functionality and so far, there was nothing I couldn’t provide. If I can’t figure it out myself, support is always willing to help. I don’t need another theme anymore.”

Instant Support Materials: Support Manual

View the Theme

14. Essential Grid – WordPress Gallery Plugin

Essential Grid is the best WordPress Gallery Plugin for businesses who want to capture visitors’ attention with breathtaking galleries.

Essential Grid is the best WordPress Gallery Plugin for anyone who wants to create a unique, attention-getting gallery.

Essential Grid’s library of 50+ unique grid skins is its top feature and is what this WordPress gallery plugin is all about. Why these skins are such a favorite is easy to see. Most web designers and developers would not want to have to take the time to create a gallery from scratch and the grid skins offer an excellent alternative approach.

In addition to making it easier to create a gallery layout you want, it’s also possible you’ll come across a grid skin layout you haven’t even thought possible and can’t wait to put into use.  The YouTube Playlist layout for example shows how the hover effect can transform a seemingly run-of-the-mill gallery into a real attention getter.

Essential Grid’s users will tell you how much of a time saver this plugin can be, and how effective it is at helping them organize their content streams.

Customer Average Grade: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot

Client Feedback: “I have to say that the level of support I received is definitely one of the best I have ever experienced. Big thumbs up!”

Instant Support Materials:   Support manual and YouTube videos

View Essential Grid 

15. WoodMart – WordPress WooCommerce Theme

WoodMart is the best WooCommerce theme for niche ecommerce design.

Just a glance at the WoodMart website is enough to grab your attention. Woodmart’s top feature, super-realism, pops right out at you. The custom layouts for shop, cart, and checkout pages are so well done that it’s easy to forget where you are and start window shopping.

There is plenty more to about WoodMart too, for example:

  • A multiplicity of available design options.
  • Easy customization to fit the brand.
  • The time-saving Theme Settings Search and Theme Settings Performance Optimization features.
  • Widely used “Frequently Bought Together”, “Dynamic Discounts”, and social integrations options.

WoodMart also has a White Label option.

Finding the most popular demos isn’t easy since most of them enjoy lots of usage.  WoodMart Organic Baby Clothes is one of the 5 most downloaded demos.

Customer Average Grade: 4.93/5

Client Feedback: “This theme is perfect. It has all the options you can imagine and tooltips to help you understand what you are about to change. It’s fast out of the box and makes a great use of Elementor. Great responsive design.”

Instant Support Materials:  Support Manual and YouTube Videos

View the Theme

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Do you see one or more web design resources and tools you would like to add to your toolkit? It would certainly be easier than having to sift through hundreds on your own. That is why we did the vetting process for you. You still will want to preview those that interest you and try them out if possible. The free ones are of course for the taking.

What will you be looking for? These 15 excellent web design tools & resources have several characteristics in common. Characteristics that are necessary to be considered as “best-in-class”. Those characteristics are as follows.

  • Plugins, themes, and resources are easy to install or set up and are user friendly.
  • They give your website an edge in terms of design, functionality, or visitor appeal; or all three.
  • Customer support is friendly, fast, and competent.
  • They allow you to test the product for free. Or give you enough information to ensure that won’t end up feeling like the product you purchased is markedly different from the one you saw advertised.

Check out any or all of the 15 best web design tools and resources you believe you could put to good use.  Test them out if you can and either add them to your toolkit or write them off.

Are you done? Not really. Since there are many new web design tools & resources coming into the marketplace every day, some of which might offer greater opportunities, your search will never really end.

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13 Awesome Tools & Resources for Designers and Agencies for 2023 https://webdesignledger.com/13-awesome-tools-resources-designers-agencies-2023/ https://webdesignledger.com/13-awesome-tools-resources-designers-agencies-2023/#respond Thu, 26 Jan 2023 08:00:26 +0000 https://webdesignledger.com/?p=51943 Web design tools and resources, both free and premium, are designed to help you take full advantage of your creativity. Thereby enhance your ability to create stunning websites. There is a huge variety of products and services to choose from. They are ranging from complete platforms to specialized software applications. Just like design frameworks, wireframing […]]]>

Web design tools and resources, both free and premium, are designed to help you take full advantage of your creativity. Thereby enhance your ability to create stunning websites. There is a huge variety of products and services to choose from. They are ranging from complete platforms to specialized software applications. Just like design frameworks, wireframing tools, and UI enhancements.

We’re not going to pretend that creating wow-worthy websites is easy. Your creative talents can sometimes take you only so far. You can get to the point where you need a particular tool or resource to do some of the heavy lifting and help you work efficiently. Or, complete your projects on time, and exceed clients’ expectations.

Having the right design tools can even help you bring your creative visions to life. With this in mind, here are 13 Awesome Tools & Resources for Designers and Agencies.

  1. Be – Best Multipurpose WordPress Theme

Are you in the midst of stocking up on web design tools to add to your design toolbox? You won’t have to look far beyond BeTheme to get most of what you need. This popular (250,000+ customers) and powerful (40+ core features) multipurpose WordPress theme places an abundance of site-building tools, aids, and options at your fingertips.

5 “must have” features you won’t find anywhere else:

  • Be Builder, the fastest, lightest, and most intuitive website builder for WordPress.
  • Be Blocks, a workflow-reducing library of pre-designed sections.
  • Be Builder Woo, a simple and effective way to create an online store.
  • Be’s Header Builder 2.0 makes it easy to quickly create the pixel-perfect header you need.
  • Be’s library of 650+ Pre-Built Websites; each one is customizable, responsive, and features basic UX functionality.

You will find the Set-up Wizard on Be’s completely reorganized dashboard. Click on the banner to learn more about BeTheme or check out this free Live demo.

  1. Trafft – Service Business Management Software You Can Count On

Trafft allows a business to manage appointment bookings operations with a single tool. The operations include, but are not limited to:

  • managing, client appointments, events, group bookings, and staff schedules including special days for employees, as well as on-site and virtual meeting schedules.
  • sending reminders to clients and accepting payments from them online via MailChimp and SendFox.

Other Trafft features clients, employees, or management can take advantage of include:

  • selecting custom domains and custom fields for assignment to the Trafft platform.
  • Coupons and other service extras.
  • integration with Google Calendar, Google Meet, and Outlook Calendar when tracking appointment and event scheduling
  • integration with Zoom to conduct virtual meetings
  • Stripe, PayPal, Mollie, and Authorize.net payment options

Click on the banner for more information. 

  1. wpDataTables – The Best Tables & Charts WordPress Table Plugin

wpDataTables is the best tables and charts WordPress plugin you could possibly select for your design toolbox. It enables you to create charts and tables that up to now you’ve may have been hesitant to try building.

Tables and charts that –

  • are informative, responsive, easily maintainable, and attractive.
  • are precisely what a client is looking for, and in minutes, even if huge amounts of complex data are involved.
  • require data from a variety of sources and in a variety of formats including nested JSON

wpDataTables does all the above quickly and efficiently with its –

  • ability to organize and process huge amounts of data.
  • powerful chart-building engines, filtering and sorting tools, and features that allows users to edit their own entries
  • conditional formatting feature that allows you to color-code key data.

Click on the banner to learn more about this time and labor saving plugin. 

  1. Uncode – Creative & WooCommerce WordPress Theme

The Uncode creative WordPress theme is one of Envato’s all time best-sellers with more than 100,000 sales. The reasons for this are many, and include the ability to build incredible WooCommerce websites with features that include:

  • an advanced Drag & Drop Product Builder, configurable Ajax product filters with Variations Swatches, and impressive Shop layouts.
  • 70+ Carefully crafted mix-and-match importable pre-made designs, and 550+ Wireframes plugin section templates. 
  1. Pixpa – Easy & affordable website builder for designers

Is an easy website builder for beginning designers suitable for more advanced web designers? With Pixpa, the answer is a definite yes. Pixpa is the top-rated website builder on Capterra and Trustpilot, with a 4.8/5 rating based on its:

  • 150+ Customizable templates that allow designers to create unique and professional-looking websites.
  • affordable plans starting at under $5/mo.
  • a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy for users to design their website
  • blog platform, responsive design, and more.
  1. Amelia – Appointments & Events WordPress Booking Plugin

Add Amelia WordPress booking plugin functionality to a WordPress-designed website and good things happen. The website’s user now owns an automated booking system that will flawlessly manage an unlimited number of appointment bookings at multiple locations from a single platform and dashboard.

  • Amelia is an excellent choice for beauty, healthcare, fitness, consulting, educational, and other client-oriented businesses.
  • both appointments and events can be booked
  • Amelia supports PayPal, Stripe, Mollie, and Razor payments. 
  1. Slider Revolution – not just a WordPress slider plugin

Slider Revolution has been the leading WordPress slider plugin for a long time, but it is more than a WordPress slider plugin now. Trusted by more than 9 million users worldwide, Slider Revolution gives you the ability to create visuals your clients and visitors love with its:

  • 250+ website and slider templates designed to impress.
  • website animation effects and other innovative features that push the boundaries of what is possible in web design.
  1. WoodMart – WooCommerce WordPress Theme

Woodmart enjoys the distinction of being ThemeForest’s most highly regarded WooCommerce WordPress theme.

It is loaded with features you won’t find in most other eCommerce-oriented themes including –

  • 75+ premade websites and 400+ templates that can also be used for quick prototyping
  • 15 special pages together with a valuable selection of product page display options.

Note: You can’t order furniture from Wordmart’s website, even though you might be tempted.

  1. Getillustrations Web and app illustrations bundle

Once a popular new website design trend, it appears that UI illustrations are here to stay. Even though the popularity of certain illustration styles may vary with time, the opportunities for innovation and creativity remain limitless.

Getillustrations brings to the table:

  • 14,000+ ready-to-use illustrations in nearly 200 different categories.
  • Illustrations for web, apps, presentations, and other purposes.
  • Available in PNG, SVC, Ai, Figma, & Sketch formats.

Use coupon code ULTIMATE30 to receive a 30% discount. 

  1. Mobirise – Website Building Software

Mobirise is a free downloadable website building software app for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Mobirise is especially well suited for creating  small/medium websites, landing pages, and simple web stores.

  • Mobirise is perfect for non-techies who may not be familiar with the intricacies of web design.
  • Mobirise is great for fast prototyping and small customers’ projects.
  • Mobirise features a minimalistic, extremely easy-to-use interface, it is Mobile & Google-friendly, and can be hosted anywhere. 
  1. The Essential Grid WordPress plugin

Essential Grid is hands down the best WordPress grid plugin you could have in your web design toolkit. Essential Grid’s –

  • easy-to-use drag and drop builder makes it possible to bring your creative vision to life in minutes rather than hours.
  • 50+ impressive, customizable templates make it easy to complete projects at lightning-fast speeds.

With Essential Grid, you can create any gallery design you can think of without writing a single line of code. 

  1. Blocksy – Best Free Ecommerce WordPress Theme

Blocksy is packed with dozens of hyper-intuitive features and options, yet it is both lighter and faster than most similar WordPress themes.

  • Features include advanced WooCommerce integration, a header builder, a footer builder, custom post types, and dynamic data support.
  • Options include White Label, layout, header and footer options, and a customizer Dark Mode.

This best free eCommerce WordPress theme gives you complete control over your page and web designs. 

  1. Total WordPress Theme

This aptly named WordPress theme has all the flexibility you could ask for, yet it is surprisingly easy to work with, even for a beginner. Total’s features include –

  • an extended version of the WPBakery page builder
  • 90+ ready to use section templates plus quick import demos, unlimited color options, and custom fonts.
  • WooCommerce integration, full support for Elementor (with custom widgets), live customizer theme settings, and dynamic template and layout functionality.

*******

Creating a stunning website is not always easy. Your creative talents can sometimes only take you to a point. You will need a particular tool or resource to do some heavy lifting.

Website design has become easier, however. More and more new web design tools and resources are being introduced the marketplace. Many older ones are being upgraded to make assembling a well-rounded tool kit a relatively easy task for any web designer.

Having the right design tools can help you bring your creative visions to life. With this in mind, here are 13 Essential Tools & Resources for Designers and Agencies.

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15 Popular Tools and Resources That Designers Will Use in 2022 https://webdesignledger.com/15-popular-tools-and-resources-that-designers-will-use-in-2022/ https://webdesignledger.com/15-popular-tools-and-resources-that-designers-will-use-in-2022/#respond Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://webdesignledger.com/?p=51376 Web designers generally become more efficient at what they do as they gain experience. This gained efficiency saves time and typically results in higher quality end products. Carefully chosen design tools and resources can have much the same effect. That they can enable web designers to accomplish more in a shorter time. Adding to their […]]]>

Web designers generally become more efficient at what they do as they gain experience. This gained efficiency saves time and typically results in higher quality end products.

Carefully chosen design tools and resources can have much the same effect. That they can enable web designers to accomplish more in a shorter time. Adding to their overall competence and adding value for their clients.

Whether it’s a tool or a resource you’re looking for, you want one that adds to your design options (flexibility). Also one that makes your work easier at the same time.

That is precisely what these top 15 tools and resources for designers have in common. Use one or more of them as you work your way through your projects in 2022. Then you can expect to more in a given amount of time and do it better.

  1. Be – The Biggest WordPress and portfolio WordPress theme

Let’s start with BeTheme’s 650+ pre-built websites. They have efficiency written all over them. They cover all major industry sectors and website types, they are responsive and fully customizable, and they have UX functionality built into them. Pick one that best fits your needs, and you may be able to build a reasonably complex website in a few hours.

All of BeTheme’s 40+ core features contribute their fair share. They include –

  • The Admin Panel, the Shortcode and Layout Generators, and the new fast, flexible, and easy to use BeBuilder page builder, the premier WordPress page-building tool.
  • An absolute gem of a BeBuilder Woo with customer-centric shopping features and single product layouts.

Size matters. BeTheme is the biggest multipurpose WordPress and WooCommerce theme of them all and can boast of having more than 240,000 customers.

Click on the banner, check out each of Be’s core features, and be prepared to be impressed by what this powerful theme and its new page building features could do for you.

  1. Total WordPress Theme

One mark of an efficient WordPress theme is that it will not slow you down by placing limits on the page layouts you create. Total’s designers know this and created a theme whose multiple style options and its flexible page builder are designed to never let you down.

  • You can create a page quickly and easily using Total’s easy-to-import Theme Demos and the selection of 90+ section templates.
  • You can also start from scratch if you prefer.
  • An extended version of WPBakery with frontend and backend drag and drop page capabilities is Total’s page builder of choice.
  • Live customizer theme settings combined with a dynamic template and dynamic layout functionality give you all the flexibility you’ll ever need
  • Total is 100% responsive and is loaded with animations and custom backgrounds

Click on the banner; there’s much, much more to see.

  1. LayerSlider

LayerSlider is one of the most popular and established products of its type on the market. It gives you the ability to build everything from sliders, animated page blocks, and popups to even complete websites. What LayerSlider does best of all is to add spice, flair, and excitement to an otherwise so-so website.

  • LayerSlider is cost-effective and easy to work with.
  • You can use it to create an expensive-looking website for a very small investment.
  • This WordPress plugin comes with an easy-to-use and modern editor interface similar to professional desktop applications. Anyone can use it without prior experience.
  • It has 150+ website, slider, and popup templates. Templates are a great way to learn as well as an ideal starting point for new projects.
  • LayerSlider includes thousands of icons, custom typefaces, shape generators, and other helpful add-ons.

Click on the banner to find out more about this amazing tool.

  1. Trafft

Trafft is an automated appointment scheduling system that lets you schedule appointments and group bookings, as well as meetings and events from a single platform.

  • Trafft also manages staff and service schedules, sends reminders to clients, and accepts payments online.
  • Trafft can schedule and manage bookings and manage staff services at multiple locations.

Trafft is free forever for single individuals, is free to get started, and offers Basic, Pro, and Expert plans.

  1. wpDataTables

The ability to quickly process huge amounts of data makes wpDataTables the most powerful and efficient WordPress plugin of its type on the market.

wpDataTables makes it a relatively quick and easy to –

  • create responsive, interactive, and easily maintainable tables and charts
  • quickly manage thousands of rows of data and process data from a variety of sources and in various formats
  • create informative tables and charts by color-coding key data
  1. Uncode – Creative & WooCommerce WordPress Theme

More than 90.000 sales make Uncode, a pixel-perfect multiuse theme for freelancers, bloggers, businesses, and agencies, an Envato Top Seller.

  • Uncode’s most impressive feature may be its WooCommerce custom builder
  • Uncode’s Wireframes plugin with 550+ section templates lets users create virtually any page layout, while the powerful frontend editor allows pages to be completed quickly and efficiently
  • The best way to see why Uncode is such a good investment is to view its gallery of user-created websites.
  1. Slider Revolution

Slider Revolution is a versatile WordPress plugin that helps beginner-and mid-level designers WOW their clients with pro-level website page visuals.

Rather than spend a lot of effort trying to change a boring website into one that at the very least borders on awesome, Slider Revolution lets you do so quickly and efficiently with its –

  • 200+ impressive website and slider templates and 25+ addons
  • use of dynamic content from social media sites
  • WebGL slide animations
  1. WHATFONTIS

“Find the font source yourself” might be a chore, but WHATFONTIS can usually do it for you in a matter of seconds.

  • With a catalog of 850K+ fonts and font-finding AI algorithms, whatfontis presents you more than 60 fonts for every image you upload.
  • 1 on 1 support is there for you if the AI search engine yields a strange result
  • Separate the letters and cursive fonts can be located as well.
  1. Mobirise Website Builder Software

Mobirise is an offline website builder that is perfect for creating small to medium size websites.

  • You are not tied to a specific platform, and you can host your site anywhere you wish.
  • Mobirise’s many page-building features include everything from sliders, galleries, and videos, to icons, forms, and Google maps.
  • Google AMP/Bootstrap4 assures your website will be super-fast and 100% mobile

Mobirise is free for personal and commercial use.

  1. Get illustrations Stock Illustrations Bundle

Downloading images from GetIllustrations’ library of premium illustrations could make a big difference in your approach to designing website UIs, apps, and presentations.

  • This library of 10,000+ illustrations makes up the world’s biggest bundle of its type
  • Vector AI, PNG, Sketch, SVG, Figma, and Adobe XD formats are featured
  • A commercial license is included with any illustration.
  • Illustrations you purchase are yours to keep and use without limitations.
  1. XStore – Best WordPress WooCommerce Theme for eCommerce

Add XStore to your designers’ toolbox and you’ll quickly see why this WordPress theme has built up and enthusiastic following from day 1. The package includes –

  • XStore’s 110+ impressive and inspirational ready-to-customize shops
  • The popular and powerful Elementor and WPBakery page builders
  • A live Ajax theme option and $500+ worth of hand-picked premium “must have” plugins
  • A single product page builder, single product layout options, and other eCommerce features and elements.
  1. Amelia

What separates Amelia from other booking solutions is the level of control it gives you over everything. Amelia enables you to tailor your booking forms to your business, and not all automated systems do that.

  • Amelia is easy to set up and does not require training to use
  • Clients can book appointments 24/7 online
  • Amelia can manage individual and group appointment bookings, event bookings, and employee schedules at multiple locations from a single platform.
  1. 8bio – Link in Bio Tool

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow you to include a link in the profile so followers can visit your website, product page or other important pages. The 8bio app enables you to create a link that people can’t help clicking on. A link that can feature –

  • Your brief biography
  • Images
  • Beautiful skins and catch animation backgrounds

A biographical link can be much easier to maintain than an expensive website.

  1. Essential Grid

Essential Grid is a WordPress Gallery Plugin Created By The Developers of Slider Revolution. It has a fan base of 9 Million users, and you can use it to create breathtaking galleries guaranteed to inject new life into your websites.

Essential Grid makes it fun and easy to –

  • Present your thought-provoking and engaging blogs and your eye-catching portfolio
  • Create appealing displays of your unique products
  • Share your engaging videos and audio gems

And much more!

  1. Pixpa – Portfolio Websites for Designers

Pixpa is the perfect, DIY tool for creating a full-featured e-commerce platform and selling your products and services online, effortlessly.

You can –

  • sell products using the online store
  • sell images as prints or digital downloads using e-commerce galleries.
  • accept commission-free payments directly through Stripe or PayPal.

Pixpa’s cost-effective pricing plans start at just $3/month making it the preferred platform for creatives and small businesses around the world. You can start building your website, easily, with Pixpa’s full-featured, 15 day free trial. No credit card information required for sign up!

***** 

It’s not terribly difficult to find a tool or resource that is better than one you are currently using. There are so many of them out there.

What can be much more difficult is finding one that, for a small investment, can enable you to go about your design task with greater efficiency. While at the same time enhancing the quality and/or functionality of your end products.

The challenge in other words is to find tools and resources for designers that help you build websites better and quicker.

That is precisely the reason for publishing of this selection of top 15 design tools and resources. Picking one or more could help you “build better quicker”.

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5 Crucial Tools for Web Designers https://webdesignledger.com/15-amazing-tools-web-designers/ https://webdesignledger.com/15-amazing-tools-web-designers/#comments Thu, 12 Jul 2018 14:56:03 +0000 http://webdesignledger.com/?p=44655 At Webdesignledger, we always try to help designers the best we can, by gathering all the good stuff the great virtual world aka internet has to offer. After a quick research, we came up with a list of five crucial tools for web designers.    A designer is like a carpenter. In order to get […]]]>

At Webdesignledger, we always try to help designers the best we can, by gathering all the good stuff the great virtual world aka internet has to offer. After a quick research, we came up with a list of five crucial tools for web designers. 

 

A designer is like a carpenter. In order to get things done, a carpenter needs materials and a professional tool kit. Without it, a carpenter is only a simple man with great dreams, a Sisyphus who never fulfills his aspirations. Because different projects require different utensils, a designer’s tool kit should be as diverse as possible. In order to put together two pieces of wood, a carpenter can’t do anything with a hammer if he’s lacking nails. Also, owning a professional tool kit doesn’t make you a carpenter. In order to become the best of the best you have to diligently study “at the feet” of a master, in a specialized school, or even learn through an online course.

A tool kit is an investment, we won’t deny that. From our experience, designers are passion driven, which makes things a bit easier. When you really want something, you do anything it takes to achieve it. We encourage you all to have the following tools under your belts so that your hard work gets one step closer to success.

1. Sketch

Sketch is rapidly replacing Photoshop due to its Bohemian Coding’s vector UI design tool. Rory Berry, creative director at Superrb, affirmed right after using Sketch the first time: “Having been a user of Photoshop for over 10 years, it was hard to change and learn something new. But literally after the first day of using Sketch, there was no looking back. I’m a total convert.”

Crucial Toolkit

2. Figma

This amazing tool connects you with other designers for everyone’s benefit. Figma allows you to design and get feedback from fellow designers in real time. “We were recommended Figma by our web development agency and use it for landing page wireframes. We love that you can quickly create designs for desktop, tablet and mobile,” says David Eastwood content writer and art-worker for Co-o Electrical.

3. Avocode

With this tool coding apps and websites from Photoshop or Sketch is so much easier! Avocode co-founder Vu Hoang Anh says “It gives users everything they need for coding – a preview of the design, and access to all layers and export assets. The best thing is that developers won’t need Photoshop or Sketch at all. The current workflow really sucks and that’s why we created Avocode.”

Crucial ToolKit

4. Zeplin

A time saver tool, Zeplin translates Sketch or Photoshop files into a free Windows, Mac, or web-based app. “The best part is that Zeplin provides quick reference for the colours, dimensions and fonts from your designs. It even generates CSS and style guides. I’ve found Zeplin to be a massive time saver and my developer friends seem to really like it too,” affirms James Stiff.

Tools for Web Designers

5. Canva

The social media content never looked better! With Canva, you can easily create social media images and info-graphics. “Canva is pretty good for making nice images,” says Lawrence Harmer, founder of Solve Web Media. “Images are the window into the soul of your website and social media, so a tool like this can be key to success,” he continues.

Tools for Web Designers

What tools do you use regularly for your designs? Let us know in the comment section below.

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