Nowadays, more and more mobile and desktop applications are developed using HTML, JS and CSS, especially for web development and design. This has led to new web technologies, including libraries like React.js, Angular, and Node.js. In addition, with the further refinement of requirements and projects, new libraries and development tools appear in the developer community almost every day. As a web developer or designer, it is naturally necessary for you to understand and master the latest and practical tools, and continue to optimize the work method and effectively improve the development schedule. Here is a collection of excellent development and design tools, including online/offline hosting tools, open source tools, online code generators, typography tools, and more.
1. WordPress – one-stop website builder
· Price: Basic version free for life, personal version HK$30, Advanced version HK$63, business version HK$199
· URL：https://zh-cn.wordpress.com/
· Recommended index: ★★★★★
WordPress is a blogging platform developed using PHP language. It supports the server of PHP and MySQL database to set up its own website. It can also be used as a CMS (content management system) to set up commercial websites. Wysiwyg article editors, multi-author co-writing, permalink optimized for search engines, generating and using static pages, trackbacks/pingbacks, membership signups, etc.
Features:
· The installation method is simple and easy to use, with many built-in station auxiliary tools, and the installation can be completed with one click.
· Many plug-in tools, support to use to expand its functions, suitable for DIY rich website content.
· Third-party development of free templates, themes rich, of all kinds, everything!
· SEO friendly search, fast collection time.
· Strong community support, with thousands of developers contributing and reviewing WP, and a safe and active environment.
Mockplus — Faster and simpler Web/Mobile/Desktop design platform
Price: Free for basic edition, 199/ year for individual edition, 999/ year for team edition, 5999/ year for enterprise edition
URL: https://www.mockplus.cn/
★★★★★ ★
As a popular tool software in China, Mockplus (also called Mockplus) is suitable for software teams and individuals to use in the design stage of software development. It is fast in interaction, design, presentation and implementation, and well conforms to the general trend of AgileDevelopment. At the same time, adhering to the concept of “focus on design, not tools”, Mick provides a series of exclusive and practical functions to help users improve their work and development progress.
Features:
- Interface design. Out of the box, components provide project and page templates, custom component libraries, masterboards, component styles, grids, and automatic data populating for quick reuse of designs.
- Teamwork. Support team management, role setting and grouping, collaborative design, division of editing, multi-person review and comment, support Sketch import.
- Interaction design. Drag and drop the mouse to complete the interaction design, support page link, component interaction, interaction state, interaction automatic restore.
- Working documents. A variety of annotation components to add design instructions, page flow chart to quickly present business logic, brain map mode to quickly build page relationships.
- Demo sharing. Publish and share at any time, provide 8 kinds of demonstration methods, support HTML online preview and offline package and other export methods.
3. Macaw — Innovative and advanced Web editor
· Price: Free
URL: http://macaw.co/
· Recommended index: ★★★★
Macaw is one of the hottest development tools and has been nicknamed “Macaw” by netizens. It is a Mac-based Web development software that supports semantic HTML and concise CSS and can generate multi-resolution pages. It can also be used as an image editing tool for designers, providing a real-time layout engine that allows elements to be manipulated in a manner similar to rendering in AdobePS, by editing current web images, and eventually generating HTML templates and JS code.
Features:
· Specific width function, which can automatically calculate the number of characters per line and also support user-specified width to generate adaptive web layout.
· Component library function, support to collect and save your designed components to the library, and drag and drop to any page.
· Different component categories can be designed or saved to specific categories and quickly applied to the entire document.
· Have all the necessary attributes for stream computation (float, clear, etc.) and treat elements as static file streams.
Weebly — Mainstream Web development and design service
Price: Free for basic, $8 / month for personal, $12 / month for Pro, $25 / month for business
URL：https://www.weebly.com/
★★★★ ★
As an American self-service website, Weebly uses a lot of Ajax technology and does a good job of being user-friendly and operational. As well as Webs and Yola, Weebly has a unique Chinese site for Chinese users.
Features:
· Drag and drop editing, no matter video, picture, map or article can be dragged to the website, without HTML or other web programming language support, simple and intuitive.
· Professional templates are designed for direct use. Currently there are 70 templates and the number is increasing. If you know HTML/CSS, you can customize them directly with their editor.
· Individual top-level domains are available for free, either by providing an IP address or by purchasing a domain on Weebly.
5. Adobe Dreamweaver — the most authoritative web development and design tool
Price: $9.99 to $82.99/ month for personal edition, $33.99 to $79.99/ month for business edition
URL：https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html
★★★★ ★
DW is a WYSIWYG web code editor integrating web page creation and website management. By using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other languages, programmers and designers can quickly create and launch websites anywhere. It supports Windows and Mac operating systems, which is a good choice for beginners or those who need to advance.
Features:
· Adaptive grid, using CSS3 adaptive grid layout to create cross-platform and browser-compatible web designs, using industry-standard code to develop projects for a variety of devices and computers.
· Live view, support for pre-release test pages, use the latest version of the WebKit conversion engine, provide excellent HTML5 support.
· “Multi-plane Preview” panel, which allows developers to design for smartphones, tablets and PCS, as well as design styles and render visualizable for a variety of devices.
conclusion
Macaw and DreamWeaver are good options if you have a sound development background and want to create your own code for your site. WordPress and Weebly are good options if you’re a new developer or someone who needs a fully formed third-party platform to build your site. If you’re more interested in development efficiency, website functionality, and budget, Mockplus is the way to go!