These are the tools, resources, websites, and inspiration that we’ve run across with our little Boise web design business. I’ll keep this web design tools guide updated as we find new resources.
Note: I’ve marked links with a ($) if they cost.
Graphic Design Tools
Type, layouts, icons, and other design resources
- Adobe Photoshop ($)
Ultimate image editing with huge community - Sketch ($)
An amazing vector graphics editor but only on Mac - Canva
Simplified graphic-design tool with drag and drop - GIMP
The free & open source image editor - Balsamiq Wireframes
Focus on layouts with these simplified wireframes
Web Development Tools
Resources that help me build websites
- Adobe Dreamweaver ($)
Still my favorite builder, always new features - Bootstrap
Responsive CSS/HTML framework to quickly build page layouts - TablePlus ($)
Manage all sorts of databases, not just MySQL and SQL Server
Web Design Websites
To expand knowledge and to inspire
- Smashing Magazine
Articles, tutorials, community and more - CSS Tricks
Daily articles about CSS, HTML, Javascript and more - Tuts+
Free how-to design tutorials - Web Design Ledger
Lots of ads but great content - Speckyboy.com
Online magazine for designer and developers - One Extra Pixel
Web design and development online magazine
Hosting & Domain Names
Where to host and register domain names
- Cloudways ($)
Managed cloud serving with great pricing and support - GoDaddy ($)
For lots of domain names, sign up for their domain discount club - NameCheap ($)
Not as many features but great pricing
