Freelancing can be a great way to escape the 9-5 corporate grind, or an extremely stressful way to earn an income. It’s up to you. You have to put in the work, but it doesn’t have to be 100% solitary.
These 15 tools will make your life easier as a freelance web developer and will help you focus on your core business instead of running a bunch of random errands.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelance web designers can benefit from using a variety of tools to manage their business and projects effectively. |
| Project management tools like Trello or Asana can help freelancers stay organized and on track with their projects. |
| Invoicing tools like FreshBooks or QuickBooks can help streamline the invoicing process for freelancers. |
| Time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest can help freelancers manage their time effectively and track billable hours. |
| Freelance job platforms like Upwork or Freelancer can be a valuable resource for finding work as a freelancer. |
1. Invoiceberry
If you want to create professional invoices, quotes, and estimates in minutes, InvoiceBerry is the right tool for you.
Invoicing is one of the most important parts of your business that’s why it’s very important to create clean, professional, and well-structured invoices.
InvoiceBerry provides you with all the tools you need, including:
- creating online invoices
- creating and sending an unlimited number of invoices
- tracking payments
- creating professional quotes and estimates
- keeping track of expenses
If you’re a freelance web developer looking for tools to make your life easier, check out our list of 10 Web Design Tools That Will Make Your Life Easier and take your productivity to the next level!
2. 1password
1Password is a password management tool that stores your passwords securely and helps you create strong, secure passwords. Password managers are a great way to protect your accounts: instead of trying to remember dozens of different (and often very weak) passwords for all your different accounts, you can store them in 1Password and only have to remember one master password. Then logins are just a couple of clicks away from any device.
1Password is intuitive and easy to use. You can store credit card information and other private data in an encrypted vault, so you don’t need to memorize all that stuff either. It’s compatible with iOS, OS X, Android, Windows, and Chrome OS devices for maximum convenience.
3. Codepen
CodePen is a website that allows web developers to quickly create examples of their work and host those examples so that other people can see them. CodePen has become ubiquitous on the internet; if you visit the front page of Hacker News (a popular online tech forum) any given day, it’s almost guaranteed that at least one submission will have a link to its code on CodePen.
While most people use CodePen for building things like JavaScript demos or static websites, it can also facilitate the development of more complex projects. One of my favorite projects built with CodePen is called “The Coding Train,” a set of interactive lessons about how to code in Processing (a programming language designed specifically for artists).
Another project, called P5*, allows you to write Processing sketches in your browser without requiring access to anything except an internet connection if you’re familiar with coding environments like Jupyter Notebooks or MATLAB, it’s very similar.
CodePen is also easy enough to use that beginners can pick up the basics and start creating right away; this means it’s great for teaching coding concepts and immediately getting a live example in front of students!
4. Jsonlint
JSONLint is a free online tool that allows you to validate JSON code. Simply copy-paste your JSON data into their site, and it will verify that everything is formatted correctly. It’s often used by those with little experience in programming, as the simplicity of the tool makes it much easier to use than other free validators. While not as robust as paid tools such as JSLint or JSON Parser Online, JSONLint offers a simple way to check if your code is syntactically correct before putting it into practice.
JSONLint was originally written in JavaScript by Douglas Crockford (who also created JSLint), but has since been updated and maintained on GitHub by Zach Carter and other developers. Originally hosted on jsonlint.com, the project now lives at https://github.com/zachleat/jsonlint/.
Looking for web design inspiration? Our list of Top 20 Web Design Ideas That Will Inspire You is packed with creative and practical tips to help you take your designs to the next level.
5. Stackoverflow
As a developer, you probably know [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/), the knowledge base that is also a community and a question and answer website all in one. The site is great for developers generally, but especially awesome for freelancers because it allows us to build our own personal knowledge base of answers to the questions we frequently encounter.
Every time you’re stuck on something, ask a question on Stack Overflow using relevant tags so that others with similar issues can find it. Save the link to your question so you can access it later (more on this below).
When someone else asks a question that you might have an answer to, respond with your solution if you can. Not only will this help them out directly, but other people who run into similar problems will be able to find their way back here by searching the tags.
Now let’s try one: what would be something you would search? How about `how do I enable cookies in my browser`. Go ahead and navigate over there and take a look at what comes up!
6. Google Docs & Sheets
For freelancers, working with your team is one of the most important parts of your job. This can be a tricky thing to do when you’re not all in the same office and you have no way to share files or work on a project together.
Sure, you could use email to send each other documents and go back and forth like that, but it’s a clunky method that creates more problems than it solves. Using Google Docs & Sheets is the most effective way for freelancers to collaborate on projects in real-time without having to be physically in the same place.
You can easily create new documents in Google Docs & Sheets, or upload existing files into them. You can then invite collaborators (or co-workers) by sending them an email invitation, and they’ll get instant access to view or edit the document. When they make changes, you can see what they’ve done right away; if you don’t agree with some of their decisions, you can revert them at any time by going through revision history.
You can add comments on certain lines so everyone knows exactly what needs to be discussed further or changed before moving ahead with the document’s publication. When it’s time for publication, you can print out copies of the document (in PDF format) or download it onto your computer as a PDF file.
Want to improve your web design freelancing career? Check out our guide featuring 22 Expert Tips to Improve Your Web Design Freelancing Career and take your career to the next level!
7. Canva
Canva is a simplified graphic-design tool website, founded in 2012. You can create social media graphics and covers, presentations, posters, and other visual content. It’s available for web and mobile and integrates millions of images, fonts, templates, and illustrations. It has a drag-and-drop format and provides access to over a million photographs, graphics, and fonts.
It’s free to use with paid subscriptions that unlock additional functionalities monthly plans start at $9.95 per month. What sets Canva apart from other online design tools is that it is completely free unless you pay for certain elements or premium features that you may not always need. Canva also stand out among all the other online design solutions because it offers an impressive library of design elements such as photos, shapes, and icons all free of charge!
8. Gumroad
Gumroad is another paid service that allows you to sell your products, but it’s different from the others. Gumroad is a platform for selling digital products, which can be anything from ebooks to online courses to software.
The service is unique because it lets you sell the way you want to the whole process is completely customizable. And unlike many other platforms that limit what you can do based on your account type, Gumroad gives you access to all of its features as soon as you sign up.
Gumroad works great for selling your own products. If that’s all you’re after, then I’d recommend this platform over any other because of its simplicity and customization options. Just know that there’s a fee per transaction: 3.5% plus 30 cents if you use Stripe payment processing or 2.9% plus 30 cents if they process the payment directly with a credit card.
That being said, signing up for and using Stripe with Gumroad won’t cost anything extra, so if your customers are paying via credit cards (which they probably are), then Stripe would be the way to go with this one as well! Keep in mind though – there may eventually come a time when someone wants to send money via PayPal instead of their credit card information (or whatever other means) which could mean losing out on some sales opportunities…
In addition to selling your own stuff through Gumroad though (and thereby avoiding those pesky fees associated with other platforms) another option available here is doing affiliate marketing by reselling someone else’s product(s).
This means no upfront costs at all! However not only will they get cut off each sale but also there aren’t any branding options available here either so if people go looking around afterward it may not lead them back towards where those goods came from originally!
9. Creative Market
Creative Market is a web resource for creatives to buy, sell and share design resources. Its free library of curated design assets like fonts, photos, graphics, and templates are useful for freelance web developers looking for specific elements for their projects. If you don’t find what you need in Creative Market’s ever-growing library of stock assets, you can always leverage the site to place custom orders with designers or to hire creative professionals.
The best use of Creative Market is as a one-stop-shop where you can source all your graphic design needs at once. If you’ve pressed for time or just not that creative yourself, the site makes it easy to browse through thousands of options in over 50 categories and add them to your cart with just a few clicks.
If you get stuck on a project and need some inspiration fast, Creative Market’s marketplace often offers weekly deals on bundles of design elements that are perfect for coming up with new ideas quickly. The designers who sell their work there also often include tutorials with handy tips on how best to use the tools they made available so getting started is easy if you want to keep things simple.
Photoshop is a crucial tool for many web designers, but it can be intimidating to learn. Check out our guide on Photoshop and Web Design: Frequently Asked Questions Answered for helpful tips and tricks to make the most out of this powerful tool.
10. Proposify
Proposify is effective proposal software that helps you create winning sales proposals. With its online library of templates, sending a proposal to your clients won’t be difficult. It has built-in tools that allow you to automate the process and track their progress.
Proposify is an all-in-one proposal tool that allows you to create proposals quickly and easily by pulling in information from your database or third-party services like Salesforce and Dropbox. It also integrates with Google Analytics, so you can keep track of the success rate of your proposals.
- If you use these tools, your freelance web development life will be much easier.
- Using these tools will make your life as a freelance web developer significantly easier.
- They will make you more efficient and save you time.
As a result, you’ll have more time to spend on the things that matter most to you.
11. Slack
Slack is an internal messaging app that allows teams to collaborate and communicate efficiently without having to worry about email overload which is crucial when working remotely! It integrates with most popular apps (including Trello!), so it’s easy to see where others are in their workday without having to ask them directly or ping them directly on social media (which can be distracting for both parties).
Hiring a web designer can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Our guide on How to Hire a Web Designer Without Getting Ripped Off offers practical advice and tips to help you find the right designer for your project without breaking the bank.
Final Thought
As this article has hopefully demonstrated, it can be a lot easier to find and use the right tools if you are using a platform that provides them. The eleven tools offered here can save you tons of time and energy and make your work infinitely more productive.
With these tools, freelancers can complete some of the most common tasks they face on a regular basis with minimal effort, allowing them to accomplish more in less time. None of these tools are expensive or complicated to use each of them is very easy to pick up and implement right away. And once you start working with them, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them.
Further Reading
10 Must-Have Tools for Freelance Web Designers – A comprehensive list of essential tools for freelance web designers, including project management tools, code editors, and design resources.
11 Essential Tools for Freelancers – A list of tools and resources for freelancers to manage their business, including time tracking, invoicing, and project management tools.
20 Best Tools for Freelance Designers and Developers – A roundup of the best tools for freelance designers and developers, including project management, design, and productivity tools.
FAQs
What are the best tools for freelance web designers?
Some essential tools for freelance web designers include project management tools like Trello, design software like Sketch, and code editors like Sublime Text.
How can I manage my time more effectively as a freelancer?
Time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest can help you manage your time more effectively as a freelancer, allowing you to track billable hours and project progress.
What are some good resources for finding freelance work?
Freelance job platforms like Upwork or Freelancer can be a great resource for finding freelance work, as well as networking on LinkedIn or attending industry events.
How can I streamline my invoicing process as a freelancer?
Invoicing tools like FreshBooks or QuickBooks can help you streamline your invoicing process as a freelancer, allowing you to send professional invoices and manage payments easily.
What are some project management tools for freelancers?
Some popular project management tools for freelancers include Trello, Asana, and Basecamp, which can help you keep track of project progress and collaborate with clients and team members.
What Are The Best Tools For A Freelance Web Developer?
This is a question that comes up quite often, so I’ve created this list of 11 tools that will help you work smarter and get more done.
How Do I Know If I’m Choosing The Right Web Development Tool For My Needs?
If you’re looking for answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most popular tools that freelance web developers use on a daily basis and what makes them so helpful.
What Is A Freelance Web Developer?
A freelance web developer is someone who works for themselves, on their own terms. They are not an employee of another company but instead work for clients on a contract basis. Freelance developers tend to be more experienced than their full-time counterparts, and often have more niche expertise.
What Does A Freelance Web Developer Do?
Freelancers are typically hired by companies to perform specific tasks or projects either from scratch or as part of an ongoing project. A freelancer might be asked to update an existing website’s design or functionality, add new features to an existing website, or build a new site from scratch.
What’s The Best Way To Manage My Freelance Workload?
The best tool for managing your workload is a mix of Google Calendar, Trello, and Asana. You can use Google Calendar to schedule out your day, Trello to keep track of the tasks you need to get done, and Asana to organize those tasks into manageable chunks.
Why Should I Use Different Tools?
Tools like Trello and Asana are great for organizing projects as they come in they help you keep track of all the pieces that make up a project so you can see how they fit together. Then when it comes time to work on something in particular, you can use Google Calendar or another tool (like Apple’s Reminders) just for that task. That way everything stays organized without getting overwhelming!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.