Helpful tools for webmasters
There are many free tools out there to help you build and check your website. Below we list some of our favourites, but if there is something awesome you use which isn't listed, please let us know about it.
Bookmarklet
Chrome extension
Firefox add-ons
Application
Web application
Accessibility
Tool |
How it can help you |
Try the tool |
aXe accessibility testing |
Accessibility checker for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and Section 508 accessibility. |
![aXe accessibility testing for Chrome aXe accessibility testing for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
Colorable contrast checker |
Color combination contrast testers against WCAG 2.0. |
![Colorable contrast checker web application Colorable contrast checker web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
Color blindness simulator |
Simulate different types of colour blindness by simply uploading an image and selecting your view. |
![Color blindness simulator web application Color blindness simulator web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
Colour Contrast Analyser |
Helps determine the legibility of text and the contrast of visual elements. Available for Windows and Mac, and in multiple languages. |
![Colour Contrast Analyser application Colour Contrast Analyser application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/application.png) |
Headings Map |
Displays a page's heading hierarchy in a side pane. |
![Headings Map for Firefox Headings Map for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
HTML_CodeSniffer |
Check the accessibility of a page against different standards and conformance levels with this client-side application. |
![HTML_CodeSniffer web application HTML_CodeSniffer web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
NoCoffee vision simulator |
Vision problem simulator, including colorblindness, low contrast, low acuity, obstructed visual field, visual snow, glare, ghosting and cataractsm, and nystagmus. |
![NoCoffee vision simulator for Chrome NoCoffee vision simulator for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
NVDA screen reader |
NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader. |
![NVDA screen reader application NVDA screen reader application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/application.png) |
Siteimprove Accessibility Checker |
Evaluate any web page for accessibility issues at any given time. |
![Siteimprove Accessibility Checker for Chrome Siteimprove Accessibility Checker for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
Snook Colour Contrast Check |
Determines if text and background colours meet WCAG 2.0. |
![Snook Colour Contrast Check web application Snook Colour Contrast Check web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
Tenon Check |
Check your current page for accessibility against WCAG 2.0. |
![Tenon Check for Chrome Tenon Check for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
WAVE toolbar |
Shows accessibility information and issues. |
![WAVE web application WAVE web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
WCAG Contrast Checker |
Checks whether text and background colours meet WCAG 2.0. |
![Snook Contrast Checker web application Snook Contrast Checker web application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/web.png) |
Coding & development
Content editing
Tool |
How it can help you |
Try the tool |
Context highlighter |
Allows quick and easy highlighting of all instances of a word or phrase within a page. |
![Context highlighter Context highlighter](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Link Checker |
Checks your site for broken links and can be run on the command line and scheduled. |
![Link Checker application Link Checker application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/application.png) |
Pinger |
Extremely fast link checker for finding broken links on a web page. |
![Pinger for Firefox Pinger](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Show File Size
|
Shows the size of linked documents in a pop-up before you download it, which can help with adding file sizes to document links. |
![Show File Size for Firefox Show File Size for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Spell Checker
|
Checks spelling and highlights errors. Also useful for finding 'ANU' and checking that it's used correctly. |
![Spell Checker for Firefox Spell Checker for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Wired Marker |
Webpage highlighter that can help you keep track of content that needs attention. |
![Wired Marker for Firefox Wired Marker for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Xenu Link Sleuth |
Checks your site for broken links. Also helpful for finding all document links to add file type and size information. |
![Xenu Link Sleuth application Xenu Link Sleuth application](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/application.png) |
Design
Browser configuation
Tool |
How it can help you |
Try the tool |
Clear Cache Shortcut |
Quickly clear all your browser cache with a single click. |
![Clear Cache Shortcut for Chrome Clear Cache Shortcut for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
Drupal Version Check |
Shows you which version of Drupal a site is using and whether it is outdated. |
![Drupal Version Check for Chrome Drupal Version Check for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
Empty Cache Button
|
A handy toolbar button to empty the cache and reload the page so you can be sure you're looking at the latest version. |
![Empty Cache Button for Firefox Empty Cache Button for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Firefox Environment Backup Extension |
Allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions. |
![Firefox Environment Backup Extension Firefox Environment Backup Extension](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Form History Control |
Manage form history entries (search, edit, cleanup, export/import) and easy text formfiller. |
![Form History Control for Firefox Form History Control for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
QuickJava |
Allows quick enable and disable of Java, Javascript, Images, Stylesheets, Flash, Cookies, Image Animations, Silverlight, and Proxy from the Statusbar and/or Toolbar. |
![QuickJava for Firefox Firefox Environment Backup Extension](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Restartless Restart |
Add a 'Restart' menu item to the 'File' menu, with an optional toolbar button, which will restart the program without losing your tabs. |
![Restartless Restart for Firefox Restartless Restart for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Text MultiCopy |
Allows copying of text multiple times from multiple locations before saving all to the Clipboard. It does not interfere with normal copy/paste functions until data is saved to clipboard. |
![Text MultiCopy for Firefox Text MultiCopy for Firefox](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/firefox.png) |
Wappalyzer |
Shows you which technology (eg content management system or programming language) is being used to deliver any webpage. |
![Wappalyzer for Chrome Wappalyzer for Chrome](/web/20181126034148im_/http://webpublishing.anu.edu.au/images/chrome.png) |
Note: Icons on this page were created by dAKirby309 as part of the Metro UI Icon Set.