Top Suggested Apps for Web Developers Working Abroad

Web developers working abroad can benefit from several apps that improve their productivity, efficiency and overall capacity. They face many challenges when working abroad, from being in a new country and culture to dealing with region locking for web resources.

AutoHotKey

This power user tool is a web developer's best friend. They can create custom hotkeys and make automated scripts that reduce the time they spend on repetitive tasks. The application is user-friendly and has complete documentation that makes it simple for users to harness its power. While it takes some time to configure for the web developer's specific needs, it's well worth the time and effort.

Trail Wallet

Tracking expenses can be difficult when a web developer is operating abroad. Currency conversion rates can change on a frequent basis and figuring out costs in that situation can be difficult. Things become even more complex when the web developer is taking a digital nomad approach to their work. They travel to new countries multiple times per year, which may involve different currency and cost of living. Trail Wallet is designed to take these factors into account. It gives web developers working abroad a full understanding of their cash flow and funds.

If This Then That

If This Then That connects applications to create powerful integrations between them. Unlike some automation and integration tools, If This Then That streamlines the process and makes it as user-friendly as possible. It has a broad range of support for integration without needing to work directly with an application's API, which cuts down on the time that's needed for integration. Since it's a popular service, it also has a lot of documentation and third-party information on automation ideas that are helpful for a web developer working abroad.

Slack

Client communication is key and sometimes email and phone calls don't cut it. The time zone difference between a web developer and their clients can also make discussions difficult. Slack is a group chat application that has many useful features and integrations. The product is in active development, so improvements happen on a regular basis. The base set of features are powerful and make it simple for web developers to share project updates, files and other resources. It's supported on a wide range of platforms, so they can check Slack on their mobile devices to ensure that there are no client emergencies waiting while they're out.

One particularly useful way that web developers working abroad can use Slack is by setting up chat bots that can address common client inquiries even when the developer is away from the computer or their phone. This option cuts down on the amount of customer service that the developer has to worry about, which allows them to better focus on their primary task at hand.

SurfShark VPN

A web developer may face the dreaded region-lock when attempting to access content from their home country or other locations. This situation can make it difficult or impossible to move forward with a project that requires that information. SurfShark VPN eliminates this problem by providing a virtual private network with servers in many countries. The web developer can route their traffic through the VPN and make it appear as though they are trying to access the resources from an approved country. It also makes it difficult for anyone to monitor their web activities, which is useful for improving privacy.

Asana

A lack of clarity can lead to the web developer and their clients having different expectations of a project. The client may be confused about the project scope, status or other details. Asana is a project management solution that keeps clients in the loop at each stage of the project. This application is particularly useful if the web developer works with a team and needs to coordinate with multiple people to get the job done.

WorldTime Buddy

Deadlines can be confusing when working abroad. The web developer may be used to converting the time from their own country, which doesn't work when they're thousands of miles away. If they miss too many deadlines, then they can lose projects and even clients. WorldTime Buddy is a simple application that shows the time around the world. It's the perfect companion app for web developers working abroad, especially when they need to time conference calls and other real-time communication.

Canva

Sometimes pulling out Photoshop or another graphic design tool for a project is overkill. Prototypes need placeholders, and Canva is a quick and easy application for putting together simple images. It has many templates for common web elements like blog post images and advertisements. The service also has many free to use design assets already included with the subscription fee. Graphic designers may not always have the time to put mockups together, and this application allows web developers to get what they need to move the project forward.

Rescue Time

Rescue Time is a time tracking application that makes it possible for web developers to track exactly what they're doing throughout the day. If they face productivity issues, they get a weekly report from the application that details their schedule. The premium version also includes tools that help improve their focus at work with website blocking and offline task tracking.

Calendly

Playing phone or email tag to get meetings set up is quite frustrating. It becomes even more difficult if the web developer is working with someone from an inconvenient time zone. Calendly gives web developers the opportunity to create appointment blocks that the client and choose from. They don't need to sign up for anything to access the appointment booking schedule. The web developer can simply share a link. It's even possible to embed it on their portfolio website for a truly seamless experience. Once they pick a good time for them, it gets placed on the web developer's calendar.

Working abroad is an excellent opportunity for web developers, but it does come with its challenges. These applications decrease the potential frustration of this situation and help make web developers more productive and efficient.