Apps & Services For Web Design Productivity
As a web designer with a moderate to large client base, I am always looking for apps and services to help me be more efficient and service my clients quickly. So here are some of the apps I use to accomplish this.
Communication
I start with a client using common email. I’ts the easiest method when just beginning to form a relationship with a client. After their project is completed and published, for the clients who keep me under retainer, I ask them to switch to slack. My main reason for this is that Slack will save all the files sent in the conversation thread. They are searchable and extremely quick and easy to find, as opposed to email in which searching through passed emails can become a project in itself. I can also set reminders, and create a todo list in each conversation. My clients also prefer using the app, as the messaging is instantaneous and easier to use on their phone, which is where they are messaging me from most of the time anyway.
Link Sharing
PushBullet is a great app for saving links to all your devices. You can “Push” any web link anywhere. How do I use this? When creating live mock-up site pages for clients to see, I always like to view the mobile and tablet version of the site on different devices to make sure they look and work correctly. PushBullet is excellent for this purpose. I just open the app on whichever device I’m on, and there is the mock-up. PushBullet also saves the links so I can go back after every change. Another thing it does is allow sms texting from your desktop. Great time saver while I’m working. I can answer a text without going to my phone. This is a free app but it does offer a paid subscription with many more features.
Screen Capture
Awesome Screenshot is a Chrome extension. It will allow you to capture entire pages, selected pages, or selected sections. It will also allow you to choose from files. You can edit this images as well. I use it for pointing out image details for clients. You can also crop an image, and add comments and text to images. I add descriptions and suggestions in images for my clients. It is a quick and easy way to mark up images and get your ideas across.
Text Editor
Codeanywhere is a great service for coding websites, well, from anywhere. It is a cloud based editor which can be accessed from anywhere just by signing in. I use it to edit and update my sites hosted in GoDaddy. I also use it to edit code when building sites locally.
Well those are four of my most used and valued apps and services. I rely on these daily to help run my business, and they never let me down. I will try to write about some others in the future. Hope they help you as much as they help me!
