Frontend development is more than web and web application design; it has to do with all the things that touch the users first-hand. It is everything that you see or interact with on a website the layout of the site and how to move through it. In this blog, we will talk about 17 must-have tools for frontend development that every Developer should know.

What is Frontend Web Development?

So, what is frontend web development? In simpler terms, it is how the visual part of your site is created. This relates to website form, structure, and actions. The frontend usually faces users without direct intervention, so developers must use the best tools for frontend development.

Frontend Web Developer

So What Makes a Frontend Web Developer? They implement the design examples and develop them in languages such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. They should know at least a thing or two about user experience. In addition, they have to make sure the websites run across different devices/browsers.

Tools for Frontend Development

HTML/CSS Editors

HTML and CSS form the foundation of any website. There are a few free editor tools for frontend development that can be used to write HTML and CSS. Here are some of them

  • Visual Studio Code: It has built-in support for language extensions and a lightweight code editor.
  • Sublime Text — the Quick Lightweight tool with a ton of features that can help you during your coding process.

The usage of these editors can enhance frontend developers' speed in writing code and is important for the overall quality.

Version Control Systems

The Developer should be able to have a log of the changes they made on their code front at any given point; this can easily be achieved using Version Control. In actuality, you can collaborate with your team easily with these tools for frontend development. Here are a few of the most common:

  • Git: The industry-standard version-control system used to store our code changes.
  • GitHub — an online platform that is used to store Git repositories( it is also used for code collaboration).

Version control tools for frontend development allow the front-end web developer to work with their project more effectively.

JavaScript Frameworks

JavaScript frameworks also enable us to develop far more interactive web applications extremely quickly and very conveniently. So you have a head start; now, you do not have to write that whole code again and concentrate on your specific hassle. There are a lot of frameworks; some examples are:

  • React — Create dynamic UIs (Developed by Facebook)
  • Angular: Full framework for single-page applications.

These frameworks and tools for frontend development make the development process more efficient.

CSS Preprocessors

CSS preprocessors bring in the additional functionalities that CSS lacks. Developers could write maintainable and scalable code. Common preprocessor tools for frontend development are i.e.

  • Sass allows for the nesting of CSS rules and uses variables.
  • LESS- Started earlier than Sass but still gives more features for your CSS like Sass

Preprocessor tools for frontend development can save you time by organizing your code.

Responsive Design Tools

As we live in a world of high technology, it is important to be specific concerning the question of responsive website design. It ensures that websites have an excellent appearance on all devices. Tools for frontend development that help with responsive design include:

  • Bootstrap: This is one of the popular methods that provide the elements for responsive design.
  • Foundation: It is also a combination of a grid system and UI component and components framework.

The tools aid front-end web developers in designing mobile-friendly designs with no effort at all.

Task Runners

Task runners Save Time, which is used in front-end development to automate some processes and, therefore, save Time and stop mistakes. Some of the most widely used task runners are as follows:-

  • Gulp: A strong task runner for just the basics of a linear chaining flow.
  • Grunt: Another of the favorites when we talk about automation tools is that it is especially perfect for JavaScript-based projects.

Task runners tools for frontend development can allow you to speed up your process by developing some automated tasks.

Browser Developer Tools

It provides front-end web developers the capability to look into and debug the code of a web page from the browser side. It is assumed that most modern browsers include these tools. These include features like:

  • Inspecting HTML and CSS
  • Monitoring network activity
  • Debugging JavaScript

If you have been questioning the utility of these tools, let me tell you: they will completely revolutionize how you test and optimize your web app from now on.

Design Prototyping Tools

A front-end web developer's cooperation can surely be helped by prototyping tools. It allows for an interactive launch of mockups and wireframes. Some popular tools for frontend development include:

  • Figma: A minimalist, collaborative, cloud-based application for the creation of User Interfaces and prototypes.
  • Adobe XD: A highly efficient tool relying on vectors for the crafting and prototyping of interactions with the product.

These tools for frontend development can enhance organization and the effectiveness of communication while the designs are being produced.

Code Linters

It reviews the code for possible problems before putting the code live. Popular tools for frontend development include:

  • ESLint: Tool for detecting errors and improving the quality of your code.
  • Stylelint — a mesmerizing Linter for CSS_interaction

Code linters can be used by frontend developers to ensure that they only write the cleanest and most error-free code.

Content Management Systems

Handle Website Content through the CMS The developers get to build, modify, and push content without the requirement of good knowledge of code. Popular CMS options include:

  • WordPress — A widely used content management system known for its flexibility and ease of use.
  • Joomla — Full-featured content management system with a learning curve but is highly customizable.

Helps Frontend developers with this process to make the content management way easier

Performance Testing Tools

It is these tools that perform testing to take the developers closer to the speed of their website. Yes, because we can not forget that for user experience and SEO, it is always better for a site to load as fast as possible. Useful Performance Testing tools for frontend development:

  • Google PageSpeed Insights chooses regions, performs web page load speed analysis, and gets recommendations on how it can be improved.
  • GTmetrix: Very comprehensive performance reports and tips.

These frontend developer tools might improve web applications' speed.

Accessibility Testing Tools

These tools detect any issues that may pose a problem for potential users trying to access your web page in some way. Some popular tools include:

  • WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool(opts to download)
  • axe: It is a browser plugin that lets developers test for accessibility issues.

By using these accessibility testing tools, you can make your sites accessible to everyone.

Code Collaboration Tools

When it comes to frontend developers, they communicate and collaborate with the help of collaboration tools. That slightly ranges from manual work to efficiency. Top Collaboration frontend Development Tools

  • Slack — It is a live messaging hub where you can communicate with each other.
  • Trello — Left Another project management app to keep your team on task.

These tools offer a standard environment in which to collaborate while the front end is being developed.

API Testing Tools

For frontend developers, API calls are common as they try to fetch data. The purpose of API testing tools is to test whether APIs do their job correctly or not. A few of the famous tools for API testing are :

  • Postman–Best Tool to Test APIs and manage Request
  • Swagger: A specification for documenting and testing APIs

The Web Application's Dependability can be improved by using these Tools.

Web Performance Monitoring Tools

Web monitoring performance tools to control website performance in real Time. They provide visibility into the user journey and can help prevent problems before they impact your users. Top Monitoring Tools

  • New Relic – real-time monitoring and analytics platform;
  • Pingdom — Website Performance and Uptime Monitoring

Using these tools will provide a smooth experience for the user.

SEO Tools

Search engine optimization (SEO) is necessary to lead traffic to websites. One of the duties that fall to frontend developers is how they optimize their websites for search engines.

  • Google Search Console: Offers performance metrics on your website in Google search results.
  • SEMrush — Complete keyword research and SEO analysis assistant.

White Label SEO tools help frontend developers to improve the visibility of their websites.

Learning Resources

The area of frontend web development is quite unstable, and you cannot stop learning. Fortunately, so many sources are available online to help you remain a good developer and learn the latest trends and technologies. These include the best learning platforms

  • Codecademy — Interactive coding lessons in all different coding languages.
  • FreeCodeCamp: A non-profit that helps you learn to code most things for free!

Resources for learning are worth an investment of Time to enable frontend developers to upskill.

Conclusion

There are several tools available in the market for frontend web development that can help developers optimize their workflow. Examples include code editors and version control systems, performance testing, SEO tools, and so on. All these tools play a significant role in making websites user-friendly. Useful frontend web development tools may make the developers' experience something productive with good-quality code that proves hard to reach as far as user experience is concerned.Thus, If you require professional web development company through professional frontend developers, Try Web Design, a US-based company,  is here to help you.