Working on web design can be grueling — and not just because of the list of design elements you have to perfect. You also have to handle the never-ending cycle of sending prototypes to clients, gathering their feedback, discussing how to integrate the changes, and incorporating their comments into the design.
If only there was a way to eliminate the constant back-and-forth…
Lucky for you, there’s a way to do this with website annotation tools.
These tools have become indispensable for developers and designers. Read on to discover what are website annotation tools, how they can empower you, and which ones to try.
What Are Website Annotation Tools? How Do They Benefit You?
Website annotation tools are a game-changing solution in today’s web development market.
These software applications or platforms offer a range of features that let you highlight specific elements on a web page, pinpointing exactly where the problem lies so you can streamline the feedback process. Users can add comments and mark up pages so they can provide valuable insights into the prototype or live website—without pesky email trails, countless online meetings, and explanations that don’t make sense.
Moreover, with website annotation tools for designers, it’s easy to keep track of changes, insights, and suggestions. By keeping everything organized and within sight, they can simplify research and editing while ultimately enhancing your workflow.
During the last decade, these tools have become invaluable with the rise of remote work.
Teams can now provide detailed feedback and work effectively while ensuring superior results—without feeling limited by their geographic locations.
Today’s 10 Most Popular Website Annotation Tools
If you’re looking to eliminate communication bottlenecks in the web development process, here are some website annotation tools that can help your cause:
1. Feedbucket
Feedbucket can help you get started on your journey to streamlining feedback with a 14-day free trial! Its easy-to-use interface is designed to make website feedback and bug reporting easier. Developers can use its intuitive tools to reduce miscommunications during development without resorting to clunky browser extensions.
Its annotation features ensure that the feedback is organized and remains in one place. It can also be integrated with your project management tool to ensure everyone stays on the same page.
Packages start at $39 a month that includes all you need to take control of the website feedback process.
2. Diigo
Diigo is power-packed with features that enhance your research, collaboration, and productivity. It also has integration capabilities for easy annotation on web pages. There’s also a personal library for your resources.
The tool has features to help with organization, context, and access but the design and interface could be more intuitive and modern. Additionally, it has a free plan, but it comes with ads, limited bookmarks as well as web page and PDF highlights.
3. Bugherd
BugHerd offers a set of features for bug reporting, task creation, and feedback processes between various stakeholders that could save you hours of work.
Comments are pinned to the element you want to improve or update and sent directly to the task management board. Since it has extensions for Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari, your team can access them directly from the live web page and review the feedback you’ve given. In addition, it offers easy integration with Asana, GitHub, Jira, Slack, Trello, and WordPress for seamless workflows.
However, it has predefined tagging (backlog, doing, done, closed) which can be overly restrictive for your development team.
BugHerd offers a 14-day free trial. If you like it, you can pay a monthly subscription of $108 for a team of 25. Expect to pay $6.60 per month for each additional user.
4. Hypothes.is
Hypothes.is is one of the best free website annotation tools.
This mission-driven organization is dedicated to “changing online discussions for good,” by enabling collaborative annotations with anyone on the web. It provides privacy controls and integration with popular learning management systems (LMS) for ease of use.
You can highlight and add comments to texts; the commentary will be preserved in context at the source, so it can also double as a feedback tool. Because it has an open-source framework, it offers unlimited potential for integrations. However, that means that it also has a steeper learning curve compared to other products on the market.
Overall, Hypothes.is is a handy tool for annotations but keep in mind that it was primarily designed for interactions between educators and students, not web development.
5. FuseBase
FuseBase, formerly Nimbus, is a white-label solution for all your project management woes. It’s accessible at a monthly fee of $9 to $30 per user.
It has a web annotation feature with toolbar attributes for your branding needs, to-do lists to streamline internal workflow, and screen capture capabilities for collaboration and communication.
You can check out the basic features for free. But if you’re a techie who wants to get their hands on the gold—premium features worth every penny—be ready to pony up!
The Lifetime pricing is pretty unique since most annotation tools require an ongoing monthly subscription. Though you can pay a one-time price from $79 to $237, you will only get the features available at the time of your payment. If there are upgrades and additional features in the future, you won’t be able to use them.
6. Filestage
Filestage is a collaboration tool that offers several features, like the ability to test out new website designs and annotate videos.
Users can invite reviewers to leave feedback, edit, and share new versions of PDF documents, videos, and websites, facilitating seamless collaboration. It claims to cut approval time by 30%, ensuring you never miss a deadline. Also, it integrates with over 1,000 apps, including popular tools like Slack, Dropbox, and Adobe InDesign.
Once your free trial is over, you’ll pay a monthly fee of $249 for 25 active projects.
7. Capture for Jira
Capture for Jira is a visual feedback and testing tool from the Atlassian Marketplace.
Tailored for software development projects, it allows users to add, test, and review bug reporting and feedback. And the best part is that you can sort any complaints raised according to their urgency.
However, this requies a JIRA setup from your team.
It has a free trial to give you the lay of the land. Pricing starts at $10 a month for 10 members. However, plans get more expensive with additional members.
8. Marker.io
Marker.io stands out in more ways than one. This all-in-one visual website feedback tool makes it easy for your team to share feedback and report bugs—without leaving the app.
It also offers 2-way integrations with Asana, Azure, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Linear, Notion Teamwork, Trello, and Zapier, making work easier for you and your team.
All plans come with a 15-day free trial, after which you can expect to pay a monthly fee of $59 for 3 members or $149 for 15. You can also get a custom plan for your individual needs.
9. Pastel
Pastel is a simple but powerful feedback tool. Users can provide comments and visual annotations to live websites, PDFs, and image files, create tickets for tasks, notify a teammate with @mentions, and collaborate in real-time with a shareable link—no extensions needed.
Plus, it integrates with Slack, Trello, and other popular team collaboration tools. Since Pastel is using a proxy technology it might not work properly for every website.
You can test the interface with a 14-day free trial. There are 4 tiers to choose from: Free, Solo, Studio, and Enterprise.
10. Scrible
Scrible is a research tool that does not disappoint. It has annotation tools that allow you to collaborate on web articles and bookmark them in libraries for future reference. While it’s geared towards students, its integrations with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Learning Management Systems make it good for designers as well.
You can sign up for free, but remember that it has its limitations. Get a paid plan for your storage space requirements instead, and you’ll unlock its advanced features.
Feedbucket: Feature-Rich, Functional, and Affordable
Now that you’re familiar with what are website annotation tools, you know that no two products are created equal. Some, like Feedbucket, offer a far greater range of features, easily bridging the communication gap between all stakeholders. Despite its intuitive interface and rich functionalities, Feedbucket’s pricing plans don’t cost a fortune.
Visit our website to learn more about our packages.
