Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.

As a Central Coast web designer, I have been involved in the digital space since 2004, in this time I have helped hundreds of Central Coast small businesses with the products, services, resources and tools I use for design, development, marketing and management of websites. I have created a list of my favourite products and services that I use either daily or on a project basis. Just a heads up that seeing as I use these products so much.

Workstation

  • 16” MacBook M3 Pro, 18GB RAM (2023)

    I was using an Intel-based 16” MacBook Pro prior to this which bricked itself when trying to update to Monterey. I’ve never heard the fans turn on a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through with our various launch simulations.

  • LG UltraFine Ergo 31.5inch 4K Monitor

    The ergonomic design of this monitor is what originally attracted me to it. It has simple cable management with easy adjustability of pivot, height and tilt, this is perfect for my standing desk.

  • Logitech MX Keys for Mac

    I like the aesthetic minimalism look and its handy to be able to use multiple computers with one flow.

  • Logitech MX Master 3 for Mac

    Fantastic to use for digital creators. The ability to customise each of the buttons for different applications makes this mounse super useful and speeds up my workflow.

  • OmniDesk Electric Standing Desk

    Sit or stand, OmniDesk gives me full control of how I want to work.

  • ErgoTune Supreme

    If I’m going to slouch in the worst ergonomic position imaginable all day, I might as well do it in an expensive chair.

Dev Tools

  • VS Code

    I've found VS Code to have the nicest workflow for me '

Design

  • Figma

    We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it’s become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.

Productivity

  • Trello

    I think about a lot of different things each day for my different projects, Trello makes it quick and easy for me to capture my tasks.

  • Atlassian

    Confluence allows me to capture all my project documentation.

Website Management

  • SiteGround

    I host all of my WordPress websites with Siteground, they are by far the most reliable website host I have used for any project.

  • ThemeForest

    ThemeForest is part of Envato Market. At ThemeForest you can buy WordPress themes as well as other digital design resources such as email marketing templates and UI designs.

  • ManageWP

    Monitor and maintain your WordPress websites from one dashboard.

Domains

  • GoDaddy

    I use Go Daddy to purchase new domain names and manage my domain name portfolio.

  • Expired Domains

    Expired Domains provides information about expired domain names. I use this service to get ideas for new domain names. I can do a search to see thousands of domains that have recently expired and are available for purchase.

Website Optimisation

  • Google Analytics

    Google Analytics is a freemium web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic.

  • Google Search Console

    Google Search Console (formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools) allows webmasters to check indexing status and optimise visibility of their websites.

  • Broken Link Checker

    Broken Link Checker is an online website validator / integrity checker / problem detection tool that can check your web pages for broken / dead links, validate, find, and report bad hyperlinks if any found.

  • Hotjar

    Hotjar is a powerful tool that reveals the online behaviour and voice of your users. By combining both A) Analysis and B) Feedback tools, Hotjar gives you the ‘big picture’ of how to improve your site’s user experience and performance/conversion rates. Hotjar offer a free account that allows you to create 3 heatmaps.

  • Cloudflare

    Cloudflare provide DDoS mitigation, Internet security services and distributed domain name server services, sitting between your visitor and your hosting provider, acting as a reverse proxy for websites.

  • GTmetrix

    GTmetrix is a free tool that analyzes your page’s speed performance. Using PageSpeed and YSlow, GTmetrix generates scores for your pages and offers actionable recommendations on how to fix them.

  • Copyscape

    Copyscape provides a free plagiarism checker for finding copies of your web pages online. They also offer a premium paid service. Particularly handy if you are using a content writing service for your blog posts so you can check if they have been copied from someone else.

Freelancing

  • Upwork

    On Upwork, you’ll find a range of top talent, from programmers to designers, writers, customer support reps, virtual assistants and more all ready to service your requirements.

  • Fiverr

    Fiverr is a global online marketplace offering tasks and services, beginning at a cost of $5 per job performed, from which it gets its name. From custom logo designs to creative writing as well as explainer videos, you’re sure to find some real gems.