Showing posts with label Needs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Needs. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2015

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.


To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.


1. Social Image Resizer Tool


Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.


With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.


2. Social Media Image Maker


This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.


Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.


3. Pablo


Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.


Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.


4. Pinwords


Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.


Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.


5. Befunky


Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.


Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.


6. Canva


Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.


For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.


7. Recitethis


Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.


You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.


8. Pagemodo


Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.


It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.


9. Share As Image


With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.


The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.


10. Infogram


If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.


You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.










10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.


To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.


1. Social Image Resizer Tool


Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.


With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.


2. Social Media Image Maker


This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.


Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.


3. Pablo


Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.


Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.


4. Pinwords


Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.


Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.


5. Befunky


Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.


Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.


6. Canva


Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.


For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.


7. Recitethis


Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.


You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.


8. Pagemodo


Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.


It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.


9. Share As Image


With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.


The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.


10. Infogram


If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.


You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.










10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.


To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.


1. Social Image Resizer Tool


Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.


With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.


2. Social Media Image Maker


This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.


Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.


3. Pablo


Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.


Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.


4. Pinwords


Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.


Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.


5. Befunky


Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.


Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.


6. Canva


Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.


For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.


7. Recitethis


Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.


You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.


8. Pagemodo


Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.


It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.


9. Share As Image


With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.


The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.


10. Infogram


If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.


You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.


10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

Monday, June 15, 2015

Why Your Web Design Platform Really Needs To Be a Business Tool

Web design has never just been an easy to crack process, and has traditionally involved quite a few different pieces of software. For a typical website, I may use the following software:


  • Adobe Photoshop – to design the visual look and feel of the site

  • Adobe Dreamweaver or NotePad++ – to code the initial templates for the pages

  • CMS (usually either WordPress or ExpressionEngine) – to build the website upon and give clients the ability to manage the site themselves

  • FileZille FTP – to upload website files and images to the web server

This is just for the design and development parts of the process. Before we can even get started with these tools, we first have to set up website hosting and register a domain name, which requires connecting with other websites and software.


Once a site is completed and launched, even more software comes into play, including analytics that will report on the traffic and performance of the site and whatever software your business will use to actually bill for all the work you have done.


As you can see, it is pretty easy to become overwhelmed with the variety of software tools needed to design, deploy, and manage even the simplest website. This is why, if you are looking for an alternative to this process, you should be looking for a complete business tool and not just a web design platform.


Doing More With Less (Software)


1webydo

The problem with the typical web design process outlined above is that so many disparate pieces of software are required because each one of those tools does only one specific thing. Photoshop is great for design, but it will not allow you to write code or develop your web pages. Dreamweaver has powerful web development features, but it lacks the visual design components found in Photoshop. For all of these software options, you will find the same scenario – they do one or two things really well, but require other software to be used to complete the full process.


While this scenario is common, it can also be very complicated at times because of the quantity of tools at play. A platform that includes many or all of these features, allowing you to effectively eliminate other software from your process, allows you to actually do more while using less software. This is where a solution like the cloud-based web design platform, Webydo, can really be much more than web design software – it can be a tool upon which you can run your design business.


All Under One Roof


2webydo

Created “by designers, for designers”, Webydo starts as a powerful visual design platform with features that you would find in programs like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign. This platform is so much more than a replacement for those programs, however, because its functionality does not stop there. The websites that are designed in Webydo can then be published as working webpages without the need to hand-code anything. Powerful web features like responsive design, parallax scrolling animation, and even Ecommerce functionality can all be added using this same platform – all without the need to write any code. So the design and development aspects of the project are covered, but the platform does not stop there!


  • CMS – Webydo includes CMS-editing features that will allow your clients to manage their own sites. There is even a White Label option that you can use to get your brand in front of your clients and further reinforce that relationship. Ultimately, this CMS feature replaces the need to have a separate content management system like WordPress used in your process, because the same platform used to design and develop the site can also be used as the CMS.

  • Domain Names, Web Hosting, and FTP – you can register domain names and set up hosting all from within the Webydo interface and you can upload your files right through the system too!

  • Analytics – once a website is live, Webydo will report on real-time statistics about traffic to the website and much more.

  • Backups – the “Revision History” feature of Webydo allows you to review older versions of your webpages and restore those versions if you have made a mistake on the current one, eliminating the need to call a hosting provider to try to restore files from some kind of backup file that they may maintain.

  • Client Billing – yes, you can even establish client billing directly from Webydo, making it easier to get paid for your hard work (after all, that is one of the main reasons we do this, right?)

The Freedom of One Platform


Not only does the ability to use one platform to replace all those aforementioned software solutions greatly simplify the process of web design, but it gives you so much flexibility and freedom. Because Webydo is accessible from a web browser, you can login and do work from anywhere that you have an Internet connection.


You no longer need to wait until you are in front of a computer that has your specific design software installed or has your billing software configured – you can login from anywhere and do what needs to be done.


Give It a Try


There will always be a need for different software tools. For instance, if you need to do photo retouching, Adobe Photoshop is still an excellent choice for that work, even if you have replaced it for your web design needs. By combining certain tasks under one roof, however, you can improve your overall process and replace complexity with a more unified and enjoyable web design experience.


You can sign up for a free trial of Webydo to experiment with the platform for yourself and see how it could become the exact tool you need to take your web design business to the next level.



Why Your Web Design Platform Really Needs To Be a Business Tool