When you’re running a freelance web design business, the tools you use can make or break your efficiency. I try to min/max wherever possible so I’m always on the lookout for tools that come with either a pay once or pay yearly option which saves me hours of boring admin which keeps both me and my accountant very happy indeed.
Web Design
Figma
I used to use Sketch + InVision back in the day, however as soon as Figma essentially merged the two I was sold and with its ever-growing plugin ecosystem, it keeps getting better and better.
Affinity Photo / Designer
Since I try to avoid subscription bloat, I use Affinity Photo and Designer instead of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. Affinity Photo handles image editing and mockups, while Affinity Designer is great for vector work and UI elements. Both are one-time purchases, which is a win.
Icon Libraries (Hero Icons, Flaticon)
Icons are a small but crucial part of web design. I use Hero Icons for clean, simple UI elements and Flaticon when I need a bigger selection of icons. Having a go-to library speeds up my workflow and keeps designs consistent.
Inspiration (Awwwards, Dribbble, Behance)
Every designer needs a source of inspiration. I regularly check Awwwards, Dribbble, and Behance to stay on top of design trends, animations, and layouts.
Web Development
VS Code
I’ve used a lot of code editors over the years, but VS Code remains unbeaten. It’s lightweight, customisable, and the extensions make it even better. Whether I’m working with WordPress, Astro, or JS-heavy builds, this is my daily driver. I’ve got a bunch of snippets saved that I’ll be sharing on another post in the future that really speed things up.
Chrome
I use Chrome predominantly, but mainly because of its DevTools. I’ve always found it the easiest browser to get along with.
GitHub Copilot
Copilot is one of the best tools for streamlining development. It autocompletes code, suggests functions, loops, and even entire file structures, making it super useful when working on WordPress themes, Astro projects, or complex logic-heavy builds.
Plugins & WordPress Essentials
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Every WordPress project I build uses ACF. It’s the best way to keep content structured while giving clients flexibility. Whether it’s repeating sections, custom fields, or flexible layouts, ACF is always in the mix.
Gravity Forms
For forms that just work, Gravity Forms is my go-to. It handles complex multi-step forms, integrations, and payments with ease. Whether a client needs a basic contact form or a full lead-gen system, this gets the job done.
WP Migrate Pro
Migrating sites used to be the most stressful part of any WP build? WP Migrate Pro makes site migrations, database syncing, and backups effortless. A must-have when working across staging, production, and local environments.
Project Management
Stacks 2
Stacks 2 is a bit like a cross between Notion and Trello. It keeps everything visual, structured, and just makes sense when juggling multiple client sites. The fact that it’s all stored locally as well is just the icing on the cake.
Slack
Most client communication happens over email, but Slack is great for team projects, quick updates, and avoiding long email chains.
Other Apps
Transmit
A solid FTP client is a must. Transmit is my go-to for quick file transfers, syncing with servers, and handling SFTP securely.
Proton Mail
For privacy-focused email, Proton Mail is a no-brainer. Encrypted, secure, and independent, it’s great for keeping client communication protected without relying on big tech email providers.
Got a tool recommendation? I’m always looking for better, faster, and more efficient ways to work—so drop me a message! 🚀