Tidy.
You probably know the meaning of that word. But for now, we are not here to talk about that meaning you are familiar with. Instead, we are talking about the first-ever web design tool created in 1995. It was called “HTML Tidy.” Tidy for short.
Dave Raggett created it in 1995 as a way to help people clean up their HTML code. At the time, only a few people knew how to build a website. Most were still trying out the first web programming language, HTML. This meant that website builders were making lots of mistakes in their codes.
HTML Tidy was a command-line tool that scanned HTML code and fixed errors. It also could adjust the code to make it more readable. It was a simple but crucial website design tool that helped make the World Wide Web more accessible and user-friendly. It paved the way for more advanced web design tools that followed.
Today, we have many more website design tools. You should use a web designing tools if you are looking to create a professional-looking website. These tools allow you to create custom designs, add interactive elements, and publish your website online. With so many different web design tools available, choosing the best one for your needs can be overwhelming. This article will discuss some of the top web design tools and their features to help you make an informed decision. Let us first look at why you need tools for web design.
Why You Should Use a Web Design Tool
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Website design tools are essential for creating professional-quality websites. These tools can help you design and build websites more efficiently. They allow you to focus on creating a great user experience.
Some of the best web designing tools are Adobe Creative Cloud and Sketch. They offer a range of design and prototyping tools to create prototypes and high-standard designs. Others, such as Webflow and Canva, are more specialized and are focused on specific tasks, such as building custom websites or creating captivating graphics for your website.
Benefits of Using a Web Design Tool
- Efficiency
- Improved quality
- Collaboration
- Prototyping
- Customization
Efficiency
Web design tools can help you work more efficiently by providing a range of design and development features in a single interface. This can save you time and reduce the number of steps involved in creating a website.
Improved quality
Web design tools often include features such as pre-designed templates and elements, which can help you create professional-quality designs more quickly and easily. The Strikingly free web builder comes with pre-designed templates for all kinds of websites. Whether you are building a portfolio website, eCommerce website, or NGO website, we have lots of responsive templates for you to explore.
Collaboration
Many web design tools, such as Figma and InVision Studio, offer real-time collaboration features that allow you to work on projects with other team members in a single interface. This can improve communication and simplify the design process.
Prototyping
Website building tools such as Adobe XD and InVision Studio offer prototyping features that allow you to create interactive, animated prototypes of your designs. This can help you test and refine your ideas before you build the final product.
Customization
Website design tools often include features that allow you to customize the look and feel of your websites, such as the ability to add custom CSS and JavaScript. This can help you create a unique and visually appealing website that reflects your brand.
Things You Must Consider Before Choosing a Web Design Tool
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When choosing a web design tool, it is crucial to consider your needs and the type of project you are working on. Some tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, are suitable for more advanced projects, while others, such as Squarespace, are better for simple, professional-looking websites. Regardless of the tool you choose, you need some knowledge and practice. You must take the time to familiarize yourself with its features to get the most out of it.
Here are some tips and tricks to apply when choosing a web design tool.
- Look for Compatibility
Make sure to select a web design tool compatible with your operating system and hardware. For example, if you use a Mac, you will want to choose a tool that is available for macOS.
- Ensure the Features Serve You
Different web design tools offer different features. Thus, you must choose one with the features you need for your workflow. For example, if you need to create wireframes and prototypes, choose a tool that has prototyping features.
How Easy to Use is the Web Design Tool
Some web design tools are more user-friendly than others, so consider your skill level and the time you are willing to invest in learning a new tool. If you are a beginner, you want to choose a more intuitive interface with good documentation and tutorials.
Does the Price Work for You - in the Long Run?
Web design tools can range in price from free options to expensive subscription-based tools. Consider your budget and the value you are getting for the price. For example, a more expensive tool offers more features, but it is not the best value if you only need a few basic features.
Collaboration
If you are working with a team, consider choosing a web designing tool that offers collaboration features such as real-time editing and version control. This can help you work more efficiently and avoid conflicts when multiple people are working on the same project.
How Scalable is Your Preferred Web Design Tool?
If you anticipate your needs changing over time, consider choosing a scalable web design tool that offers a range of features that can grow with you. This can save you the hassle of switching to a new tool later on.
Support
Good support is important, especially if you are new to web design or encounter problems with the tool. Make sure to choose website design tools with good documentation, tutorials, and customer service.
Image taken from Strikingly User
11 Best Web Design Tools to Use in 2023
- Strikingly
Strikingly is a website builder that allows users to create and publish websites without the need for coding knowledge. It is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it a good option for individuals and small businesses who want to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily.
Here are some of the many benefits you get, if you build a website with Strikingly:
1. A variety of customizable templates to choose from.
2. Drag-and-drop functionality for easy design and layout customization.
3. The ability to add custom HTML and CSS code for more advanced customization.
4. Integration with popular email marketing and e-commerce platforms.
5. Mobile-responsive design, so websites look good on all devices. SEO tools to help improve search engine rankings
6. Automatic web insights and analytics for better marketing strategies.
7. Ability to collaborate as a team on your website.
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of different website design tools and development tools. It includes software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. Photoshop is a popular image editing tool that allows designers to manipulate and enhance photos and graphics. Illustrator is a vector graphics editor commonly used to create logos, icons, and other graphics. Dreamweaver is a web development tool that allows designers to build and manage websites using a visual interface and a code editor.
- Sketch
This is a vector graphics editor specifically designed to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for websites and mobile apps. It has a range of design and prototyping tools. These include vector drawing tools, text and color styling options, and the ability to add interactions and animations.
- InVision Studio
InVision Studio is a design and prototyping tool that allows designers to create interactive, animated prototypes of websites and mobile apps. Some of its best design and prototyping features include vector drawing tools, text and color styling options, and the ability to add interactions and animations. It also includes a built-in code editor for adding custom CSS and JavaScript.
- Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that allows users to create and collaborate on a variety of design projects, including website design. It has a simple, user-friendly interface that enables designers to create and customize layouts, design user interfaces, and add interactions and animations.
Some notable functionalities are vector editing, prototyping, on-the-go collaboration, and compatibility with virtually any operating system. In addition to its online version, it has in-system, offline versions compatible with most operating systems.
- Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a user experience (UX) design and prototyping tool developed by Adobe. Designers use it to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products. It has a range of design tools and allows users to create interactive prototypes with features like animations and voice prototyping. Adobe XD has robust collaboration features and is available on Windows and macOS. It also integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud tools like Photoshop and Illustrator. Adobe XD is suitable for both small teams and large organizations and is widely used in the web design and development industry.
- Webflow
Webflow is a drag-and-drop website builder that allows designers to create custom websites without writing code. It has a visual interface for designing layouts and styles and a code editor for adding custom CSS and JavaScript. It also includes a range of tools for managing content and publishing websites.
- Canva
Canva can be used as a web design tool to create website graphics and visual content. It has a range of design templates and elements that can be customized to create professional-looking designs for web pages and other online platforms. Some examples of web design elements that can be created with Canva include headers, banners, logos, and social media posts.
Canva is not as comprehensive as other web design tools. Still, it is useful for creating visual elements that improve your website's brand outlook. It is especially useful for those who are not familiar with more complex design tools and want to create simple, professional-looking designs quickly.
- Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector graphics editor offering various design and prototyping tools. It has vector drawing tools, text and color styling options, and the ability to add interactions and animations. It is available as a desktop application and as a cloud-based tool.
Image taken from Strikingly Product
- Affinity Designer
It is one of the best web design tools for intermediate and expert web designers. Affinity is a vector graphics design tool developed by Serif Labs. It creates high-quality graphics, user interfaces, and layouts for web design, print design, and branding. It has a range of vector editing and design tools and is available on Windows, macOS, and iOS. It is known for its fast performance and responsive interface and is widely used in the design industry as an alternative to tools like Adobe Illustrator.
- Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a wireframing tool that allows website designers to quickly create low-fidelity wireframes and prototypes. It has a simple, drag-and-drop interface that allows designers to create wireframes using pre-designed elements and templates. It is available as a desktop application and as a cloud-based tool.
In conclusion, web design tools are essential for anyone looking to create a professional-looking website. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, there is a web design tool out there that is suitable for your needs. By considering your project requirements and their different features, you can pick the best web design tools for your needs.
An alternative to website design tools is free website builders. They allow you to edit simple, pre-designed templates, to suit your needs. Strikingly website templates are super-responsive and have lots of features to enhance your website's UX. Check them out and thank us later.
