Great Free Web Design Applications, Programs and Tools

Web Browsers

Essential for testing websites for as many users as possible.

• Internet Explorer - It comes pre-installed on your PC and you may hate it but for PC users, it's still the most common web browser and should be tested in at least three versions prior to get good results for all of your visitors.
• Mozilla Firefox - Firefox is the leading Mozilla browser but there are others using the same technology. Flock is another browser based on this technology but is designed for convenient social networking.
• Safari - You may think it's a Mac program but you'll notice that PC users can download the browser. The advantage to using this browser is that you can test your pages for users using Safari on Macs.
• Chrome - Google have now entered the browser market with Chrome. Expect the latest standards from this browser but you may find it odd that Google's Toolbar doesn't actually work with Chrome - bizarre! Being a Google product expect this browser to get more and more popular.
• Opera - One of the old favourites of the internet browsing. It's still a popular browser, so make sure you test websites in this browser too. Many mobile (cell) phones come with this browser installed, which may be of interst if you're designing for phones.

FTP Programs

You'll need these to upload files to your server if your HTML editor doesn't allow you.

• CuteFTP - A simple but powerful FTP program, allowing you to change files on your server. Good SSH support.
• Filezilla - Good, stable FTP and you can even browse other folders whilst uploading. Also, allows you to set transfer speeds if your connection is slow.
• AceFTP - Straight-forward FTP with all the standard features you'd expect to see. Some adverts on it can be annoying.

HTML Editors

If you don't have the money for the leading HTML editor, these programs are a great start.

• Notepad - Well, it isn't free exactly but it comes with Windows and is the best way to hand code.
• KompoZer - Possibly the only rival to the best WYSIWYG editor you can buy. Stable and lightweight HTML editor.
• Amaya - W3C's (they set the web standards) very own browser. Don't expect too many features though.
• MoreMotion Web Express - A good WYSIWYG editor which pulls out all of the stops. One flaw is that you have to make a 'build' to create HTML pages, so it's not great for experienced coders.
• HTML-Kit - A full-featured editor, compatible with many scripting languages and even points out coding errors.

Image Editors

An image tells a thousand words on your website; a good free image editor saves you hundreds of pounds.

• Paint - A simple image editor which comes with Windows. Very basic. If you need control over image proportions and filetype then look for another editor.
• GIMP - Some call it a rival to Photoshop. It's good but don't expect the latest features that the leading image editor gives you, it is free after all.
• Paint.NET - Easy to use for the beginner. Similar to Paint but has more features.
• Batch Image Processor (BIMP Lite) - If you've got too many images to mention and want to resize them all in a few easy clicks, then this is one of the best programs.
• Picasa - More of an alternative to Mac's iPhoto. You can make simple edits to images and easily locate the photos on your hard drive, with it's automatic image search.
• Stratopoint Software '11View' - Great controls for the experienced user. This product is discontinued but still available for download from the Stratopoint website.

Video Editing

Converting video for websites is getting easier and easier with YouTube and the like. However, you might want to edit those videos before getting them online.

• Movie Maker - Comes with Windows and gives you basic but functional controls. Limited output.
• Avidemux - Can almost convert any video type such as AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, MP4 and ASF. Has a steep learning curve but plenty of control.
• VirtualDub - Simple, clean video editor. Very basic but great compatibility with files types.

Audio Editing

If you work with audio and need to place mp3s or Podcasts on your website, you'll need a program to record, edit and convert the audio.

• Audacity - This program gives great support to convert and edit many audio filetypes. You can chop and splice your audio up quite professionally, and convert it in minutes. Regarded by many as a professional editing program. Open source plugins are also available - do you need anything else? Please note that to export MP3 files you'll need to install an external Lame MP3 Encoder to export MP3 files but the website gives full instructions on how to do this and this part is also free.
• Expstudio Audio Editor Free - As well as having great editing and audio compatibility, this software also has voice pitching controls. Some of the application's tools aren't as flexible as they should be.

Other useful internet tools

• PDFCreator - Great and easy way to convert Windows programs to PDFs, so you can upload them online. It can also create the following filetypes PNG, JPG, TIFF, BMP, PCX, PS, and EPS