So you’re down with WordPress, doing html in your sleep and css’ing like a champion but your websites still lacks that little flair that really shows off your web design panache. Well this article and 10 of my favourite jQuery plugins is just what you need to give your websites some more of that ‘POP-POP’ (as Magnitude from Community would say).
So you’re down with WordPress, doing html in your sleep and css’ing like a champion but your websites still lacks that little flair that really shows off your web design panache. Well this article and 10 of my favourite jQuery plugins is just what you need to give your websites some more of that ‘POP-POP’ (as Magnitude from Community would say). Now although I know everyone loves free stuff, some of these are paid plugins but I assure you they are well worth the mention and well worth the money.
Sounds awesome? Then let’s get stuck in.
jQuery Plugins
HTML Front End Builder
Cost: $17
If you are used to WordPress and moving on to greener pastures, this might just help you along the way. This html front end builder plugin slots in seamlessly with bootstrap and foundation and allows you to use pre made elements on a page, sort of like a wysiwyg. But this plugin really become useful when you start adding your own elements to the library, which makes it super duper easy to re-use all your pre made elements on multiple pages. Plus you can export them for your other projects.
This plugin could save you A LOT of time and effort. especially if you create your own templates.
Full Screen Pop Out Navigation
Cost: FREE
An awesome navigation could be just what you need to make your project “POP-POP” like magnitude. This plugin allows you to create a fullscreen nav that can give your user the desired “this guy know his shoot” impression. Its absolutely free and makes for a nice refreshing new style that you can use on your website.
Fullscreen Scoller
Cost: FREE
If that last one made your mouth water, prepare to drool, because these two plugins go hand in hand like a red velvet cake with extra cream. A lovely full screen scroll and fullscreen menu might be just what you need on cheat day after a big lunch and a nice hot cup of coffee. Wait, Im still talking about the cake aren’t I. Well anyway these two plugin look awesome together and might just set you up for the style you want out of your website.
Enliven ’em
Cost: $11
If websites were jazz artists and you wanted funky. This plugin would be James Brown. Albeit, you would have to know a little more about Jazz than the average plugin, I mean musician, I mean plugin. Ah hell, this is an analogy anyway.
En’liven em lets you animate your SVG’s (Scalable Vector Graphics) so that you can make your illustrator graphics boggle the minds of visitors while you flex your nerdy web design muscles. There are really no limits to what you can do with this plugin but it does require some more in-depth knowledge.(well, you have to watch the video atleast). Anyhoo, this plugin is well worth your money and you can really decide how much “POP-POP” you get for your buck.
Snap SVG
Cost: FREE
For those of you who aren’t willing to pay $11 for the James Brown of all plugins, heres something totally free and quite frankly better. In fact, enliven works off snap svg, BUT, you really need to know some javascript and have a good understanding of svg. Just like enliven, there are no limits to what you can do with snap but if you don’t know much jQuery or javascript, either hit code academy to learn some, or pay for envision.
Morphy Buttons
Cost: $6
Ooooh, morphy buttons. And boy are they morphy. Awesome button effects that can really add some flavour to you websites. This plugin gives you some really cool morphy effects for your buttons which can open videos in a nice lightbox style as well as forms, logins, help and whatever other buttony things you want. Its a really good plugin and a reasonable price too, morph away!
Split Scroll
Cost: FREE
This plugin allows you to scroll through a website by splitting the website in half. HUH? Oh, just look at the demo and you will see what I mean. Classic awesome web design effect which will make you look like a seasoned pro (or total nerd, depending on if you can tell the difference). Plus its the perfect plugin for your portfolio to illustrate both sides of your split personality, all aboard the crazy train! WOOP WOOP!
jQuery Slick Portfolio
Cost: FREE
Two personalities not enough for you? Use this masonry style slick portfolio plugin to split it into 10! Or however many you have, you madman. With this plugin you can make a really slick looking portfolio with hardly any effort and it looks brilliant!
Cropper
Cost: FREE
This plugin is a front end cropper tool that allows images to be cropped in a good looking easy to use way. This plugin makes cropping images super easy and you will love the added functionality.
There is also another alternative to this plugin called croppic with similar functionality. I have found cropper to be more effective and easy to use. Give it a try!
3D Grid
Cost: FREE
There is really nothing else in this list that fits the definition of “POP-POP”more than jQuery plugins that give your grid a fullscreen 3D lightbox effect and if you want to make your portfolio “POP-POP” Then look no further because this is an awesome plugin that never gets old. Highly recommended.
So now you have the jQuery plugins and tools to get pop’n ’n lock’n, so what’s left to do? Well just go jQuery cray-cray. If you need some extra help or want to improve you web design knowledge database, why not pop in for one of our courses and lets get a bit more in-depth!
