Dipesh BathejaAs a web designer or a developer, knowing where to look online for all the best news, tips, tools, freebies, tutorials and other useful resources is pretty important. We’ve collected some of the best web design and development blogs around for you. Now go grab a cup of coffee and enjoy reading. In no particular order, here are 10 must-read blogs for web designers and developers.
1. SmashingMagazine
Smashing Magazine has been around since 2006, and the depth and breadth of their blog reflects it. Coding, design, mobile, graphics, UX Design, WordPress… it’s all here!
For designers that want to go in-depth, this is a phenomenal resource.
2. Codrops
If you are a front-end developer or web designer, you’ll find a lot of useful tutorials and code snippets on Codrops. Furthermore, Codrops also discusses more general topics of web design and how the role of a web designer has evolved over the years.
3. Webdesign tuts+
If you want to keep up with the latest in web design, you have to be willing to study and learn on an ongoing basis.
At Tuts+, you will find tutorials on a variety of topics, from creating WordPress themes, to introducing new CSS elements to your site.
If you want to stay on top of your game, there’s plenty for you to sink your teeth into at Tuts+.
4. Hongkiat
There probably aren’t too many web designers who haven’t at least heard of Hongkiat, as their articles tend to rank pretty high in Google.
If you can name a topic, you can probably find it here. Plus, there are viewpoints offered by a variety of different contributors.
Hongkiat continues to remain a vital blog for web designers.
5. CSS Tricks
CSS-Tricks is a web design & development blog by Chris Coyier. Back when it launched in 2007, CSS-Tricks was all about just what its name suggested – CSS. Today, however, it has since expanded to include all topics related to web design and web development.
Besides interesting design articles and videos, you’ll also find code snippets, an almanac and a web design forum there. It’s definitely a great resource for web designers and front-end developers
6. A List Apart
A List Apart focuses on web standards and best practices of web design and development. They feature insightful articles from industry leaders on various topics such as accessibility, brand identity, responsive design, layouts and grids, typography and fonts etc.
7. Sitepoint
SitePoint is a large community of developers which shares articles on topics: HTML & CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Design & UX, WordPress, React and many more new technologies. They also offer Books and Courses which can be accessed by signing up for an account.
8. Web Designer Depot
Web Designer Depot’s goal is to share only the best and latest discoveries, tips and techniques in web design and development while also covering the business side of design work, mobile apps and working as a freelancer.
Given that it’s quickly grown to become one of the web’s most popular design blogs, you can find all sorts of great, in-depth articles and tutorials on almost anything.
9. SpeckyBoy
Speckyboy was launched in October 2007 as the personal freelance web design homepage of Paul Andrew, located in Scotland. Somewhere along the way, Speckyboy became one of the most influential design blogs on the Internet, receiving around 1.9 million page views each month.
Speckyboy offers insightful tutorials, time saving techniques, fresh and useful resources and inspirational art, covering web design and development, graphic design, advertising, mobile applications and even the occasional Lego post.
10. Invision
Invision is a great prototyping, collaboration & workflow platform for web designers. And there blog offers some great insights for web designers. Topics range from modern UI/UX Design, Design Inspirations, Productivity to Web Design Business Development.
11. Design shack
If you are looking for business-related articles as well as design-orientated content, you will probably like design shack. It covers everything from freelancing tips to CSS hacks which will help you to craft better web designs.
12. Hacking UI
Hacking UI is an interaction design and front-end development magazine. It was founded by Sagi Shrieber (designer) and David Tintner (developer). Therefore, you’ll find a good mixture of design- & development-related articles here.
13. WPKube
WPKube is an online WordPress resource which focuses on WordPress tutorials, How-to’s, guides, plugins, news, and more. Founded by Devesh Sharma, the main goal of this site is to provide useful information on anything and everything WordPress.
14. Designmodo
Designmodo is a web design blog as well as shop for web design resources, UI Kits and tools. You can also get hold of many quality freebies such as UI Kits and icon packs from this site.
15. Davidwalsh
David Walsh Blog features in-depth articles as well as short and crisp coding tips with JavaScript and JavaScript frameworks such as React.js and jQuery.
16. Scotch.io
Scotch.io publishes web development courses as well as tutorials on popular frameworks and libraries such as Angular, React, NodeJS and Laravel.
17. Boagworld
BoagWorld and Headscape were founded in 2002 by Marcus Lillington, Paul Boag and Chris Scott.
Boagworld is mostly known because of their web design shows, an audio podcast which has 54 episodes on iTunes and the original Boagworld podcast which has over 200 episodes! It was the first podcast on web design. Over the eight years it has been live, it has won many distinctive awards.
Topics on this site cover web accessibility, UX, content strategy, web design and development, digital strategy, marketing, mobile and more! I would really recommend you follow this blog, because it will expand your knowledge as a web designer and developer.
18. Onextrapixel
Onextrapixel is an online magazine and resource site for designers and web developers. It focuses on useful tips, news, tutorials, tools and resources, on design, development, and other inspirational topics.
19. Design Bombs
Design Bombs is covering several categories ranging from roundups of fresh website designs, WordPress, freebies and exclusive deals.
20. Backlinko
Backlinko is the place for next-level SEO training and link building strategies. You’ll find in-depth and value-packed articles.
21. Toptal Blog (Bonus)
Toptal blog is a one stop place featuring in-depth tutorials, freelancer resources and key technology updates on design and development. A must visit blog for designers, developers and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Make learning a regular part of your ongoing efforts. There’s no way you can know it all, but if you make studying a habit, you’ll always be growing as a designer, and that’s what it takes to stay ahead of the competition.
The trends online are constantly changing, so don’t get left behind. Keep up-to-date by visiting the previously mentioned blogs on a regular basis.
And that’s a wrap! It definitely isn’t always easy to find the best or most up to date information on web design topics, but the above list of best web design blogs can help solve that problem as you move forward with your work in the new year.
Which blogs from this list do you love the most and are there any others you think deserve a spot on this best web design blogs list?
Netling
