Since starting out as a freelancer I’ve got to know various tools and programmes which I find make both mine, and my clients lives a lot easier. Some are essential, some are practical and some are just fun!
So here’s my list of kit that I use pretty much on a day to day basis, many of which will be familiar, but hopefully can introduce you to a few as well.
1. Dreamweaver
Kind of an obvious one – but I know a lot of you hand code in other programmes out there. I don’t let Dreamweaver code for me, but I do like how it finishes your sentences… makes coding a lot quicker and your keyboard won’t get so worn out.
Price: From £387 (Amazon)
OS: Any
Use for: Web development
2. Filezilla
Simply a good FTP programme – it stores all your log in details and makes uploading / transferring a lot easier.
http://filezilla-project.org/
Price: Free
OS: Any
Use for: File transfer
3. Basecamp
Amazing project management software. Manage to-dos, milestones, upload files and folders and keep everything in one place. I don’t just use it for Web Design, I also used it for managing a film project as well which was really effective.
http://basecamphq.com/
Price: $24 a month
OS: Any (web based)
Use for: Project management
4. Tweetdeck
If like me you enjoy Twittering throughout the day, Tweetdeck is great as it will buzz when there are new updates and you can stay logged into multiple accounts.
http://www.tweetdeck.com/
Price: Free
OS: Any
Use for: Social networking / Just for fun
5. Preview
Simply for the fact you can re-size multiple images at once through Tools > Adjust size. Life saver.
Price: Free with a Mac.
OS: Mac
Use for: Image editing
6. Adium
Since working as a project manager for a design agency I’ve end up with a login for various messengers, and can get confusing to have MSN, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, etc open all at once. Adium signs you into them all simultaneously so you only need to have 1 messenger open (phew!). The only messenger it doesn’t cater for is Skype.
http://adium.im/
Price: Free
OS: Mac Only
Use for: Project Management
7. Firebug & Firefox Web Developer Toolbar
View and edit CSS / HTML directly in your browser to find fixes. It can save hours of tears and tantrums by letting you tweak the CSS in browser to find whats causing an issue.
The developer toolbar is great too. Far too many features to list but has everything a developer needs for the browser.
http://getfirebug.com/
Firefox Tool Bar
Price: Free
OS: Any (requires Firefox)
Use for: Web development
8. Google Calender
It’s just a simple calender, with the added bonus that it will sync your calender with your workmates, so you can see whose working on what and when. I’ve found it’s been an excellent tool for time management and use it all the time now.
http://www.google.com/calendar/
Price: Free
OS: Any (web based)
Use for: Project Management
9. Freshbooks
If like me you work on an hourly rate, then you’ll probably find Freshbooks highly useful. Features a handy timer and syncs with your workmates Freshbooks accounts so if there’s more than 1 person working on a project, you can see how many hours have been spent in total. There’s too many features to go into, so check it out for yourself.
http://www.freshbooks.com/
Price: From free.
OS: Any (web based)
Use for: Project Management
10. Spotify
I can’t work without some music playing, so Spotify has been my savior. Listen to any album you want for free (just have to listen to an ad every 10 songs or so). It used to be completely free, but now you need an invite from someone with a Premium account to have that privilege now.
http://www.spotify.com/
Price: From free
OS: Any.
Use for: Just for fun
11. Mockupr
Mockupr will let you upload your mock up and will display it in a browser for you. Simple, but highly useful.
http://mockupr.com/
Price: Free
Use for: Web Design
12. Jing
Can’t describe what you mean with words? Create instructive videos, annotate your site with arrows and text and send it to your client / designer.
http://www.jingproject.com/
Price: Free
OS: Mac & Windows
Use for: Web Design
13. Streamclip
I tend to work on a few sites which deal with streaming video. Streamclip is a free tool which allows you to convert most video types into most video types.
http://www.squared5.com/
Price: Free
OS: Mac & Windows
Use for: Video conversion
14. Colour Scheme Designer
If you’re stuck for inspiration for a colour scheme, this could help you. Not only that it’s just a cool site.
http://colorschemedesigner.com/
Price: Free
Use for: Web Design
15. Design Meltdown
Again, just a little help when you’re lacking inspiration. It’s just a huge catalogue of websites organised into sections of colour, style, theme… I get lost for hours on this site!
http://www.designmeltdown.com/archive.aspx
Price: Free
OS: Any (web based)
Use for: Inspiration / Just for fun
Please feel free to post a comment and add to the list – I’d love to know what everyone else uses.
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