Ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, feeling utterly lost and overwhelmed by the vast array of tools available? We get it. The journey from a mere idea to a fully functional website can feel like navigating uncharted territory, especially when you are not sure which tools to trust.
That’s why we’re here—to ease your burden and light the path ahead.
In this blog post, we are shining a spotlight on the top 7 software tools a web design agency would use to create websites. Whether you are grappling with the complexities of coding or simply seeking a user-friendly solution, we’ve got you covered.
To start with:
1. WordPress
WordPress, an open-source content management system, simplifies website creation with its quick setup and thousands of free plugins. These plugins extend site functionality, making customisation effortless—even without coding skills.
However, while WordPress itself is free, additional costs like hosting and premium features exist. Despite potential costs and security vulnerabilities, WordPress remains popular for its customisation, SEO-friendliness, and vast user base, powering 43% of the internet.
Although beginners might find its abundance of options overwhelming, experienced users appreciate the flexibility. So, feel free to seek the help of a reputable web design agency if and when necessary.
2. Figma
Figma, a web-based interface design tool, excels in real-time collaboration among multiple designers, making it perfect for projects with diverse stakeholders. With its web application format, users can collaborate without downloading software.
The free version delivers three Sigma and 3 FigJam files, unlimited personal files, collaborators, templates, plugin access, and a mobile app. Users appreciate its ease of adoption and collaboration features, including built-in prototyping. While the free version has some limitations and tracks changes for only 30 days, performance issues may occur on weaker connections.
3. Sketch
Sketch is a well-known and widely used tool by many web design agencies, specifically for websites and web apps. Users praise Sketch as the first vector-based design tool that facilitated quick UI design with revolutionary symbol-saving capabilities and seamless integration with Invision for prototyping.
Pros:
– Intuitive and popular design tool with a clean interface.
– Handles all design phases from wireframes to prototypes.
– High performance and efficient collaboration with Invision integration.
However, its limitation to macOS may not suit designers working on Windows platforms, prompting consideration of alternative options.
4. Lunacy
Lunacy, a free alternative to Sketch for Windows, has evolved into a fully functional graphic design software packed with features. From simply opening Sketch files a few years ago, it now offers standard UI and screen design tools along with a library of free, high-quality graphic assets. It fully supports Sketch files, allowing seamless editing across Windows and Mac platforms.
Core functionalities include user interface design, collaboration, wireframing, and prototyping. Pros include built-in graphic assets, Sketch file compatibility, and offline editing capabilities. However, being relatively new, Lunacy may have minor bugs and performance issues, especially with large files, and lacks advanced prototyping features.
5. Adobe XD
Although newer compared to other tools, Adobe XD swiftly gained popularity among web design agencies, thanks to Adobe’s established reputation in the graphics software market. With features like repeat grids for easy creation and population of grids with various content types, Adobe XD is a top-tier web design tool. It excels in creating and testing UI element spacing variations.
Its functionalities include UI design, collaboration, wireframing, and prototyping. Pros include –
- Its reputation as an end-to-end UX design tool
- Seamless integration with Adobe Suite products
- Good performance with large files
- Handy UI kits
However, Adobe XD requires payment after the free trial, lacks real-time collaboration, and has a less robust extensions library compared to competitors.
6. Origami
Origami was created by Facebook designers and is a powerful interface design tool tailored for making mobile prototypes with high-fidelity UIs. Unlike other tools, Origami excels in adding screen interactivity, allowing fine-tuning of spacing, timings, triggers, and animations. It integrates seamlessly with Sketch and Figma, ensuring smooth workflow transitions.
Core functionalities include –
- UI design
- Animation
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Mobile specialisation
- Compatibility with other design tools
However, Origami lacks collaboration features, can be more challenging to learn, and has limited support compared to larger tools. Its niche focus offers unique features but may pose challenges in finding online support.
7. WIX
Wix is a user-friendly, budget-friendly alternative to WordPress, which many web design agencies use often. Like WordPress, Wix lets you quickly create various types of websites, from stores to blogs. However, managing a Wix site differs significantly from WordPress.
With premium plans, you will enjoy fully managed services, including hosting, backups, and security. The free option includes ads but offers plenty of templates, too. If you prefer a more hands-off approach than WordPress, Wix could be your pick.
Final Message:
Whether you are starting from scratch or revamping your website, utilising these tools can be crucial for achieving your goals efficiently and affordably. However, without web design software, you risk creating a site that doesn’t meet your expectations. That’s why wireframing, prototyping, and coding are vital—and you can leverage the mentioned tools to accomplish these tasks.
Still, a professional touch is unmatched in web design. So, if you can spare a budget, reach out to a good web design agency, such as Make My Website.
