Favorite Apps & Products of 2020 - Website Designer Edition
These were my favorite applications and products minus website builders, or social media apps that I used this year. If you want to know which website builders or social media applications or platforms I used the most leave a comment below and I will share those as well!
I honestly can’t believe 2020 is coming to a close, but it is what it is and these were my favorite apps and products I used this year.
Apps or Online Resources
Canva
The easiest graphic design platform for FREE!
I have used Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator in the past to create graphics but I am a beginner when using these programs.
The time it would take me to create something in these softwares is cut down exponentially if I use Canva instead.
I highly recommend this for anyone who needs graphics for their business or social media platforms.
You can also upgrade to Pro or Enterprise versions as well if you need more features than what their Free version offers.
Clockify
Since I am now working as a freelancer most of my projects are hourly based. So I am constantly keeping track of my hours.
I used to have an excel spreadsheet to log these times but this really did not work for me because I wasn’t always constantly working for one client at a time. Sometimes its a few hours here and one hour there or maybe even 15-minutes.
I then found Clockify and it has been my savior to keeping track of my hours for each of my clients, but also each project I specifically work on.
This platform is also totally FREE!
It has many great ways to keep track of your hours, there is a time tracker that will start and stop when you want it to, timesheets, or you can even log your time manually later.
I also like that I can separate clients and their projects and assign them to the time that is currently being tracked.
This is so helpful because sometimes I am working on more than one project at a time for one client. I did not think this would be the case for my projects but this has happened a few times now.
I highly recommend Clockify for tracking your time or putting hours on a timesheet for your work it is super helpful.
Google Drive File Stream
We use Google Suite here at MediYumm and I love it for so many reasons, but when I was first working with our files and organizing our folders in Google Drive it was a nightmare.
I did not like how opening certain files or attaching them to emails I had to download them from my Drive or jump in and out of folders to get the content I needed.
Saving files was more time consuming because I would have to upload them to the Drive online.
Then I learned I could install Google Drive File Stream to my laptop and have another view of my files.
I now can easily drag and drop content into my clients folders directly from my laptop.
I don’t need to log in to my Drive online just to upload these items.
I can also copy folders a lot easier than before in Google Drive online.
If you want to install Google Drive File Stream do a quick google search or use this link.
Zoom
No one will be surprised about this one, but this app saved how I met with my clients in 2020.
I used to meet in-person with my clients when I could and walk them through the sites I designed for them.
But as we all know this year has been very different due to the pandemic and changed the way a lot of us used to work.
Zoom made it possible for MediYumm to meet with clients face-to-face virtually and share our designs with them with the Screen Share feature.
We are grateful for our clients who were open to this option and glad we could still complete their projects despite our distance.
Definitely check out Zoom if you are looking for a video meeting option for your business.
Products
Phone Stand
This has been great for work and personal use. I use FaceTime or video-calling apps a lot for work but also to connect with friends and family.
These calls also end up being kind of long catch-ups, so holding my phone the entire time is impossible for my arm (such a first-world problem).
Anyways, I’m thankful to have apps like FaceTime or GoogleDuo to connect with loved ones directly from my phone and grateful to have this phone stand for those times!
Check out the phone stand here!
Blue-light-filtering glasses
Honestly, I did not think these things would make that much of a difference in my life, but on the days I forget to wear these glasses I definitely start getting headaches half way through my day.
I highly recommend getting a pair especially if you do work at home and you’re staring at a screen most of the time.
Now don’t come at me if you think these are going to be an ultimate solution to straining your eyes from staring at a screen all day - because they’re not.
It’s still a good idea to take breaks throughout the day and look away from your screen.
This can be looking other places in your workspace or getting up and stretching. Please don’t rely on these glasses too heavily.
You kind find lots of pairs of blue-light filtering glasses on Amazon or a lot of sunglasses and glasses brands offer some options as well.
My glasses are from Quay if you are interested!
Away Backpack
I have not needed to go out that much with my laptop or work essentials this year, but when I did need to this backpack has been the best!
I love that it has a dedicated padded laptop section to keep my laptop safe and not get scratched up or damaged sitting in the main pocket with everything else.
There are super helpful organizers too in the front smaller pocket which I really like as well to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
There is also a water bottle holder on the side that is pretty essential.
There are a lot of cool features I like about this backpack, I really just scratched the surface. So definitely do your research before you buy!
I also really like that if this backpack is full it is still really comfortable to wear.
Check out my backpack!
Yeti Tumbler
My favorite cup this year because it fits in my car cupholder and isn’t too big or bulky for my desk.
I also love the magnet slider that closes the opening in the lid, its a lot easier and faster to open than a water bottle.
I think if I was on the go more I would go back to using my water bottle but since I work from home most days now this cup is perfect.
It’s great at keeping my water cold and my tea hot!
Check out the Yeti Rambler 20oz Tumbler here.
That’s all folks! These were my favorite apps and products for 2020!
It goes without saying that this year was very different for a lot of people. I am so grateful I was still able to work when I know so many others were unable to. I want to wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy holiday season.
Thanks again for reading and stay tuned for more blogs! We are just getting started!