Developing web pages, frameworks, and website elements is challenging and tough, especially if you have to wrestle with an unresponsive or poorly designed grid system. Fortunately, there are lots of high-quality HTML5/CSS3 grid systems and frameworks you can rely on to make your job easier.

Let’s look at 15 of these top grid systems one by one.

1. Bourbon Neat

First on the list is Bourbon Neat: a library of SASS preprocessor mix-ins. Neat is an ideal framework for developers who use SASS and Bourbon already, but it’s also a good choice since it gives developers access to a very fluid, fast, and easy-to-set-up grid system. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a flexible framework ready to make changes or adjustments to Web elements and pages until they are to your liking.

2. 960 Grid System

960 Grid System is a popular grid tool already used by thousands of websites. Originally designed by Nathan Smith, this very efficient tool can help streamline your workflow by offering two-column layout choices. Whether you choose column layout 12 or 16, you can bootstrap a homepage that’s perfect for supporting static or dynamic inputs in a matter of moments.

You can even add additional columns to a given page, although you’ll want to dive deep into its tutorial to learn how to do this.

3. Grd

Grd is a simple yet flexible CSS grid system. If you want to make modern, intuitive, and streamlined layouts, Grd is a perfect choice. It comes with a live demo feature you can use to tune different settings or design customizations before implementing them on live pages. With Grd, you’ll find it exceptionally easy to create general content areas, footers, headers, and other areas using a basic drop-down of controls and settings.

4. Dead Simple Grid

Dead Simple Grid is a 200-bit CSS code framework. This is advantageous since it means your pages run much more smoothly than other frameworks. DSG lets you separate the grid to incorporate a flexible sidebar or even a main content area when developing pages. It’s a perfect pick for those who want to make minimalist homepages (like that of CryptoWallet.com), blogs, and other web areas.

5. Unsemantic

Then there’s Unsemantic: a closely related and follow-up version of 960 Grid. However, Unsemantic offers a fully responsive design framework through which developers like you can rearrange page layouts whenever they need to produce or edit an existing page. With Unsemantic, you’ll be able to easily promote and showcase critical content, plus use strong search engine optimization strategies for clients. Front-end developers should have an easy time using this grid framework since Unsemantic uses Media Queries, too.

6. Csswizardry-grids

Csswizardry-grids is an HTML grid that lets you save time and energy in equal measure. This robust and well-designed tool is user-friendly and easy to structure and master, especially if you check out the included tutorial. Csswizardry-grids supports many variations and allows you to freely reorder page elements to match your desires according to exact specifications.

7. Simple Grid

Don’t be fooled: Simple Grid is a different tool from the DSG mentioned above. Regardless, it offers a very flexible and responsive layout compatible with desktop computers, mobile smartphones, and tablets.

This is great for developers who want to make pages for the majority of Internet users who are now on mobile. You can use Simple Grid with large screens and high resolutions for added convenience. This lightweight grid framework offers a 12-column structure so you can make a page layout that works for your unique needs or preferences. You can even divide your page into up to six columns with a few button presses.

8. Gridlex

Gridlex is an incredibly simplistic and easy-to-use tool from start to finish, partially because it’s based on Flexbox. Regardless, it allows you to quickly wrap columns with your grid and make extra adjustments to ensure your new page’s final design looks excellent from top to bottom. This top-tier grid system can be a great additional tool for your workflow and personal projects.

9. Griddle

Griddle is a modular and highly fluid grid system for modern browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more. This ultra-compatible tool is perfect for creating pages for web browsers and popular mobile devices.

Griddle guarantees your app’s performance will be smooth and first-class, no matter what. It allows you to create proportional or nested grids, centered and hybrid grids and units, and more. You can even alter the vertical alignment of elements, control unit horizontal centering, and combine both fluid and fixed units for impressive page builds to customize your final product.

10. Gridly

Gridly continues the above naming trend and is a minimum grid layout system. Thus, it’s perfectly compatible with modern Internet browsers like Firefox and Chrome. Thanks to its lightweight structure, Gridly ensures you’ll have an easy time getting your grid or column layout running without too much frustration or hassle. The library is minimal, so you can use it with other frameworks or tools, such as Visualping, running simultaneously without straining your system’s capabilities.

11. Foundation

Foundation is not a grid framework but a front-end library perfect for developers looking for responsive web design elements. Foundation 6, the latest version of this tool, offers various modernized elements and features to help you develop versatile and high-performing page designs. It offers various easy-to-use templates, enabling developers to focus on what they want to put within page grids rather than on the grids themselves over and over.

12. Bootstrap

Bootstrap is one of the most prominent front-end grid frameworks, and it’s been used for millions of websites across the Internet for a good reason. It’s well-designed, intuitive, flexible, and powerful all at the same time. It’s a good idea to start using Bootstrap now, even while we collectively await Bootstrap 4!

13. Formstone

Like Foundation, Formstone is a library for various front-end developers rather than a managed grid system. It’s ideal if you need customizable components, Web elements, and other tools to make high-quality, dynamic web pages. The Formstone library is responsive, automated, and modular, so it can be great for developing a high-quality grid layout or scaling a large website project, depending on your needs.

14. HTML5 Boilerplate

HTML5 Boilerplate is a stellar template that front-end developers can use to kickstart new page projects without a lot of hassle. It’s also ideal for combining with some of the above tools, such as Foundation or Bootstrap.

15. Responsive Grid System for Your Next Project

Responsive Grid System for Your Next Project has a mouthful of a name, but it could very well be worth your time. It uses the same grid classes as the 960 Grid System, but it’s designed for building mobile-friendly pages first and foremost. On top of that, it provides a boilerplate function so you can manage your headers easily. Developers who primarily build mobile sites will appreciate this tool.

Which Framework Should You Choose?

I’ve found that the frameworks I’ve used most often are Griddle and Formstone. I’ve come to highly appreciate the vast compatibility that Griddle offers across web browsers and mobile devices, while Formstone is often my go-to framework for front-end development work thanks to its responsive and modular layout.

That being said, at the end of the day, you might benefit from trying out each of these HTML5/CSS3 grid systems and frameworks for yourself when you have the time. That way, you can determine which is right for your needs and skill set.

Operating a startup or small business means spending money on critical expenditures like labor, critical supplies, and even software licenses. But in the earliest days of your business, you need to save as much money as you can so you have room to grow, and so you don’t have to take on unnecessary loans.

Luckily, you can cut down on operating expenses for your startup or small business with a few tech-savvy tips.

1. Get rid of excess paper

For starters, try to get rid of extra paper around the office. You don’t necessarily need tons of paper for your printer for sending out invoices, writing employee checks, and so on. These days, you can do many day-to-day business tasks with paperless tools and digital platforms.

Digital invoices, emails, Google Workspace, and other tools now replace papers throughout many industries. Lean into this development, and you’ll save money on office supplies across the board.

2. Shift to a cloud phone system

Next, you can and should shift to a cloud phone system or VoIP phone system. A cloud phone system means you don’t have to install and maintain extra hardware inside your office or workspace, saving you money in more ways than one.

This can save you up to 90% in terms of the initial cost of installing a phone system and another 40% to 90% on local or international calling costs.

3. Only use software you need

Take a long, hard look at the software you use throughout your office. Do an in-depth software audit and determine whether you really need all the software and tools you pay a subscription for. For example, if you pay an annual subscription for a piece of software you use for marketing, but that tool’s job is already taken care of via another software platform, do you really need it?

In many cases, the answer is no. Therefore, you can cut software subscriptions for tools and platforms you don’t really need and use. Be sure to audit your current office software about once a quarter so you can regularly take stock of the tools you use and which ones you can get rid of to save a little extra money.

4. Use remote work

Remote work reached its pinnacle during the COVID-19 pandemic. But you can still leverage it to save money these days.

For example, you can implement partial remote work for your employees, meaning you don’t need as much office space as you would otherwise. This, in turn, allows you to pay less for an office building, for desks, and even for day-to-day office supplies.

Partial or full remote work can save you a lot of money in terms of employee space and practical supplies or necessities. Your employees may even work harder, resulting in higher cash flow.

Therefore, you should open up remote work to employees who might take advantage of such an opportunity. As a side bonus, many employees may feel better about working remotely and could become more loyal to your brand as a result.

5. Reduce credit card usage

Corporate credit cards are important financial tools. They allow you and your employees to buy important supplies or devices immediately without having to wait for cash flow to catch up with your business expenditure needs.

However, using your corporate credit card too much or using too many credit accounts results in high-interest payments and, over time, a serious strain on your business bank account. To that end, you should try to cut down on business credit card usage as much as possible.

Try to only use business credit cards when absolutely necessary, like when a critical machine for your business breaks down, and you have to purchase a new one ASAP. Similarly, only give certain employees leave to use a corporate credit card. That way, multiple employees don’t run around town spending frivolously without your supervision.

6. Streamline online marketing

Online marketing campaigns are crucial for bringing traffic to your site or increasing visitors to your retail store. But PPC ads, paid influencer deals, and other online marketing efforts can eat into your finances.

With this in mind, you should look at your online marketing campaigns and streamline them by:

• Analyzing which ads or campaigns perform the best
• Doubling down on those ads or campaigns
• Cutting the ads or campaigns that don’t perform well, as they essentially drain your finances for no reason

In other words, you should make sure you maintain only the digital marketing campaigns that produce the best returns on your investments.

7. Buy used furniture and vehicles

Need some extra furniture for your office, like a few new desks or chairs? Rather than spending tons of money on brand-new furniture, save your startup a bit of cash by purchasing used furniture. You can always upgrade after the fact, but in the meantime, buying used furniture will let you spend money where it’s really needed instead.

Use the same tip when buying workplace vehicles. Don’t splurge for a new car, which can cost $34,000 on average. Instead, buy a used car that gets the job done.

8. Outsource specialized tasks

From time to time, your business may require specialized tasks to accomplish a specific goal or satisfy a certain client. But purchasing the machinery to do that specialized task can be very expensive, and you’ll only need the task to be done once or twice.

To save a bit of money, you can outsource those specialized tasks to professionals or freelancers. While it may be a little more expensive in the short term, you’ll save money in the long term if the task in question isn’t one you think you’ll do regularly in the future.

9. Turn the lights off

Go green and save your startup some money by turning the lights off when you leave the office. By the same token, try to cut down on your electrical usage to save money on your utility bill every month. This is a small thing, but all that electricity can add up at the end of the month when you see your office building’s energy charges.

This is doubly true in the summer and winter, when offices tend to run the AC or heater more frequently. Coach your employees to turn off their computers or to turn off any electrical devices they don’t use. Make sure that electrical devices don’t stay on over the weekend, as well. Every little bit helps!

10. Practice accounting

Finally, be sure to practice smart, tech-savvy accounting. Either hire an accountant or do the accounting yourself; in either case, you should track your expenses, determine areas where you can save more money, and file your taxes properly. You can use accounting software and platforms to make sure you do the job right and to avoid making critical errors that could result in heavy tax fees each spring.

Ultimately, you can reduce your operating expenses as a startup or small business by practicing each of the above strategies and more. These tips will help you stretch your limited finances further when used in conjunction with each other, at least until your startup is ready to scale to greater success.

Edgar and Sally have a passion, and they’ve turned it into a business. It’s making fetish furniture – “We call ourselves the kinky Ikea. ” And yes, everything is ready-to-assemble.

Sally and Edgar started BDSM Architecture in 2016, selling fetish furniture and accessories to like-minded people wanting to bring safe and sophisticated BDSM items into their homes without stigma.

In two years, they realized that this idea could become their full-time project, and that’s when they started their website with Hostinger. Now the couple is making a living from their online store and building the first factory for furniture assembly.

Transmuting an Idea Into Business

At the time of conception, there was a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality fetish furniture. Most of the available equipment the couple found was unreliable and, to add insult to injury, just didn’t look nice. “It’s ironic when something that should restrain you breaks after the first try,” Sally laughs.

Edgar decided to build a few items himself. Those initial pieces of furniture led to the couple pitching the concept to the wider BDSM community – through this organic dialogue emerged BDSM Architecture. Now the couple’s passion has become a viable, successful business and their main source of income.

The concept of BDSM Architecture perfectly balances the couple’s skillset: Edgar has a background in engineering, so he comes up with the blueprints and initial designs, and Sally used to work in entertainment and event organization, so at the right moment, she can jump on board with a precise marketing plan.

Expansion Imminent

Not knowing where the idea would lead them, Edgar started selling their first items on Etsy. That’s when they got their first clients and confirmed the need in the market.

However, the third-party platform had its limitations. To sell on Etsy, Sally and Edgar had to comply with its regulations and make do with the limited functionality of its systems. For example, they couldn’t easily offer custom personalized fetish furniture – a severely underdeveloped facet of the niche the couple planned to capitalize on.

What’s more, developing an independent brand and establishing a strong online presence was almost impossible. With Etsy’s focus on the USA, the platform was no longer sufficient as the couple was looking for a way to unlock several new markets.

Branching Out With a Website

From her business experience, Sally knew that a website would remedy all of these issues – and that every growing operation should have its own online store. With 60% of clients coming from North America and the rest from Western Europe, BDSM Architecture needed a reliable and fast solution to reach their overseas audience.

“I was looking for the best web hosting provider for sites targeting the US market. Hostinger’s name kept popping up on tech and business blogs. I had heard about it before, too.
“Choosing Hostinger was the right decision. Our requirements for server location and speed were particular – out of the 10 available data centers, we went for the one in the Netherlands. We hired a developer to build a professional WordPress website, which I’m managing myself by adding new products and updating information.”

Since business is booming, Hostinger notified Sally that she should think of an upgrade. “Ease of use is extremely important to me because I’m not a pro. It was nice to be notified that our site had outgrown its hosting plan. We’ve gotten bigger, so we switched to the Business Shared Hosting plan to accommodate the increased traffic volumes and orders. With Hostinger, it’s easy to find everything I need, and the support team has always promptly helped out.”

Customer Obsession

For people who may have felt misunderstood and on the outside of society at one point, BDSM Architecture enables people’s right to empowerment wherever they are in the world.

The key to BDSM Architecture’s successful operation is that it is run by self-assured, sophisticated adults, confident in their sexuality and secure from attacks from inappropriate audiences. Sally and Edgar’s business relies on flexibility, scalability, and the ability to understand and meet customer needs.

“Fetishes are extremely intimate and individual, so every piece of our furniture can be customized. It happens that we don’t have the specific fetish that a customer does, but at all times, we try to find a way to produce a product that matches their needs as long as it’s safe and comfortable.

These days, Sally and Edgar can boast a healthy supply of orders from sex shops, party organizers, and nightclub owners. BDSM Architecture has even started consulting on set design and supplying cages for a major CBS television series.

Seducing the Future

Since 2019 and the first version of the website, BDSM Architecture orders have grown exponentially – they see almost 100% growth every year. The couple looks back at the time of their business’s origins: “If we were starting over, we’d know to doubt less and to go for quicker solutions. We would be braver going after our goals.”

After six years of progress, BDSM Architecture is finally building a factory in Lithuania – it became possible with EU grant money. “We didn’t hide anything and even sent the pictures of our products. It’s a big achievement that our business was treated like any other,” Sally says.

Currently, BDSM Architecture is contributing to the Lithuanian market by providing educational sessions and seminars to confront the stigma associated with BDSM and helping open people’s eyes to the spectrum of consensual sex.

Looking outwards, BDSM Architecture is developing both their business and the market, continuing the stride for home growth and invention – inspiring a new generation of communities to connect and create online.