/ Articles -
Web & UX Design
10 must have tools for web designers in 2024
November 5, 2024
As a web designer in 2024, there are thousands of productivity tools available to help you be as effective as possible. Here are some tools and plugins that I frequently use, not necessarily daily, but it would be hard to live without them.
Websites
Unsplash
Finding high quality images can be challenging if you don’t have any. Unsplash provides a big library of free, no attribution required, high resolution images that can help you out. Just be aware that unique images are often better but stock photos can be a good resource.
IloveIMG
You need to optimize images for the web, and this user-friendly platform is my favourite for compressing images quickly without sacrificing quality. Smaller images helps your website load faster and improves user experience. Simply upload your images, and it will take care of the rest, making it a go-to resource for maintaining image quality while reducing file size.
SVGRepo
When you need scalable vector graphics or icons, SVGRepo is the perfect resource. It offers a vast library of SVG icons and illustrations that you can easily customize and integrate into your projects. Best thing is just as Unsplash, no attribution is required.
Pagespeed
If you want to ensure your website loads quickly and efficiently, Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a must-have. It analyzes your web page's performance and provides a score based on loading speed, SEO and overall user experience. The best part? It gives you actionable recommendations to improve performance.
Colourcontrast
Making sure your text is readable is essential for a great user experience. Colourcontrast is a handy tool that checks the contrast ratio between your text and background colors. Simply input your color values, and it will instantly tell you whether your color choices meet accessibility standards.
Google Fonts
Choosing the right typography can make or break your design. Google Fonts is a fantastic resource that provides an extensive library of free, open-source fonts for web and print. With easy integration into your projects, you can explore a variety of styles and weights to find the perfect fit for your brand. Plus, Google Fonts is optimized for performance, ensuring that your website remains fast while looking great.
Awwwards
If you’re seeking inspiration for your next web project, Awwwards is an invaluable resource. It showcases outstanding websites recognized for their creativity, design, and usability. You can browse various categories to discover innovative solutions and trends, making it a perfect place to spark ideas for your own projects.
Chrome Plugins
Wappalyzer
Ever wondered how a cool website that you just visited was created? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Wappalyzer is a handy tool that shows you what technologies were used to create a website.
Eye dropper
Want to quickly grab the color of an image you find online, a website background or just some text. Sure, you can take a screenshot, open a program like Photoshop and use Photosop's eyedropper tool, but that’s far from the most effective approach. The chrome plugin Eye dropper works the same way, you only have to click to plugin and then what color you want.
Fontanello
Have you ever seen an amazing font on a website and wondered what font it might be? Instead of digging into the code panel to know, Fontanello quickly shows you what font is used and some more data that might be useful.
Do you have any other recommendations or tools that you think are essential? Send me a message
What people are saying
Why your website feels cheap (even if it wasn’t)
Ever visited a website that should feel premium, but somehow doesn’t? The branding looks fine. The photos are professional. Someone has likely been paid a decent amount to create it.
And yet… it feels cheap.
This happens more often than you think. And no, it’s not about taste. It’s about execution. Here’s why your website might feel low-quality, even if a lot of money went into it.
Adobe buying Semrush: SEO future
When Adobe announced they're buying Semrush the entire marketing world raised an eyebrow. Adobe isn’t exactly known for SEO tools, so why spend almost two billion dollars on one?
The short answer to why Adobe is buying Semrush:
Search is changing faster than ever and Adobe doesn’t want to fall behind.
In this article, I’ll break down what this deal actually means, why it matters, and how it’s connected to the rise of AI-driven search.
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Why building a website is harder than you think
Building a website sounds simple. In theory it's drag, drop & publish. But in reality, it’s a mix of design, SEO, accessibility, and technical details that take years to master. Here’s why doing it yourself often costs more time than hiring a pro.
Keep scrolling down
You might also like
Why your website feels cheap (even if it wasn’t)
Ever visited a website that should feel premium, but somehow doesn’t? The branding looks fine. The photos are professional. Someone has likely been paid a decent amount to create it.
And yet… it feels cheap.
This happens more often than you think. And no, it’s not about taste. It’s about execution. Here’s why your website might feel low-quality, even if a lot of money went into it.
Adobe buying Semrush: SEO future
When Adobe announced they're buying Semrush the entire marketing world raised an eyebrow. Adobe isn’t exactly known for SEO tools, so why spend almost two billion dollars on one?
The short answer to why Adobe is buying Semrush:
Search is changing faster than ever and Adobe doesn’t want to fall behind.
In this article, I’ll break down what this deal actually means, why it matters, and how it’s connected to the rise of AI-driven search.
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Explore my work
Web Design
Karlsson bil
Karlsson Bil is a car dealership based in Varberg, specializing in buying, selling, and restoring vehicles, including the exclusive Lignon Scandinavia line of handcrafted Land Rover Defenders. I worked on designing a website that blends the heritage of the classic Defender with a modern, sleek aesthetic. The focus was on creating a smooth, intuitive browsing experience, making it easy for users to explore the inventory, learn about bespoke restorations, and navigate the buying and selling process with confidence.
Tools used
Wix Studio & Custom code
Web Design & Branding
Carin Fredén
Carin Fredén is a Malmö-based photographer and photo editor specializing in high-quality business photography and visual branding. Her website showcases her work and services, helping businesses enhance their visual identity through images.
Tools used
Wix Studio, Figma & code
.png)
