Being a web developer is a fun job, especially if you work freelance. You have some creative control over the project – especially if you double as a designer too – and can really make websites stand out to gain repeat custom. Instead of developing from scratch, there are now many pieces of software to help. The question many have is whether they are worthwhile and the one to opt for.
Web development software does allow you to code your website quickly. If you are just starting out with development, from design, you will be able to create something by looking at it, instead of having to learn intricate code early on. It gives you time to develop your abilities while still earning money. So, how do you choose between the different types of software?
- Find Something Within Your Budget
This is one of the most important factors and the good news is that it is one of the easiest! You will always have a budget, whether that is extremely high or minimal (even zero). The trick to know is that free does not always mean bad – there is plenty of free software for web development, including many Open Source programs. These give you the chance to try them without wasting money and some don’t even need to be downloaded onto the computer.
If you are planning on buying software, consider trying the free trials first. This will let you know more about the software before risking your money.
- Find Something That Does Everything
You don’t want to get software that you can do most with but then struggle with intricate details. You need something that will do everything that you could possibly need. This can be difficult, especially when you are just starting out. When working on your own projects, you know everything that you could possibly need but it will be difficult when it comes to knowing clients’ prospects.
Consider the tasks that the majority of web developers need to do. If you are unsure, talk to some web developers and explain that you are looking to get into the business and considering software to help. Many may be able to share some of the projects they have worked on in the past.
- Check Out Reviews of the Software
Why should you waste time checking how great a piece of software is? You don’t have to with reviews that are readily available online. Avoid many of the testimonial pages on the company websites and look for third-party review websites. These will help you find software that is easy to use, will do everything you need and is worth your hard-earned money.
There are people who will leave negative experiences – not everyone will get along with the same software. Always check out the details of the negatives to find out why they didn’t like it. It may be something that you are able to work with or the program may not do everything you need and you need to move on.
Finding good software doesn’t have to take time. There are plenty of options available. However, it is worth remembering that even with web development programs, you will need to go through a series of testing. This will make sure that your websites run smoothly, everything looks great and that it works on many different types of systems to avoid disappointment or problems with your clients.