The challenge for any web design agency is to stay engaged, inspired and abreast of the latest developments – and there’s no better way than by following a good design blog. Here are ten of the best to save in your favourites.

Smashing Magazine

Proudly independent since 2006, this German blog prides itself on supplying practical wisdom that should be snapped up by any serious web design agency. Idiot-proof categorised menus guide you between blogs on everything from typography to CSS – and they fire out a new post every few days.

MockPlus

Every web design agency should sign up for bulletins from prototyping experts MockPlus. Founded by Song Lau, the site specialises in blog posts addressing real-world challenges, from increasing readability in UI design to the best wireframe tools.

Hacking UI

The best ideas are often sparked when web designers are free to spitball, and Hacking UI is one of the most engaged design communities around. Regular newsletters, podcasts, forums and blogs spark a thousand ideas to bring home to your own web design agency – but don’t forget to share your best tips, too.

Creative Bloq

Follow Creative Bloq for a few months and it’ll knock you out of your design rut. The name of the game is the visual inspiration, but that’s not at the expense of hard-and-fast technical advice, with blogs to brush up your CSS skills and WordPress security.

Material Design

Google’s Material Design is well worth drilling into, and this dedicated website is a great compass to guide you through. Expect tips and walkthroughs that you can apply to your own design work – and a showcase area that lets you display it.

Design Shack

Founded in 2003, this site reawakens your mojo with visual ideas that are good enough to eat. You’ll get tips on logo design, holistic web design, landing page templates – and much more. For a web design agency, this stuff is dynamite.

1st Web Designer

A big pool of writers contributes to this website, which means you get plenty of diverse voices and fresh perspectives on a range of useful topics. From conversion-boosting design tricks to advice on boosting security through your design, it’s all here.

Inspired Magazine

Inspired does the digging so you don’t have to, with regular blogs that round up the best free design tools and resources. Their blogs aren’t quite as regular as some, but they’re always worth reading.

U Creative

Whether you’re starting out in design or head up a heavyweight web design agency, you’ll learn something from this Singapore-based site. Click the ‘Design’ banner and browse blogs that cover everything from visual hierarchy to chalkboard fonts.

Line 25

There’s all the technical advice you’d hope for here, from free HTML UI kits to tips on winning WordPress travel themes. But Line 25 also offers blogs on lifestyle and combatting stress, making it a great stop-off for a busy modern web designer.