Around 1994, the Web browser most preferred by Internet users 
was Netscape. Compared to what users had access to back in 1991, (mostly text and images formed by characters), Netscape was groundbreaking. You could see different colours, images and graphics.
Fast forward 15 years. While a good portion of the population still uses Internet Explorer, Web users have at their disposal a vast arsenal of browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari and the newly launched Flock are some of them.
The pros and cons of each of these browsers would require a long post, but in this one, I’ll concentrate on “add-ons” and “extensions” – tools that may be used to customize Mozilla Firefox to your specific needs. To date, 1,567,123,625 add-ons have been downloaded. Of those, 150,767,009 add-ons are in use (source: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/). Here are some of my favourites:
- Rank Checker: this handy tool is one of my favourites. It allows you to quickly assess search engine results for several keywords, in bulk. An additional option lets you select the regional Google database to inquire (for example, Google.ca, Google.co.uk, etc). Great to keep an eye on your (or your competitors’) search rankings.
- iOpus iMacros: great add-on if you need to quickly visit a number of sites quickly and routinely. This tool works by recording your browsing session, and allowing you to save it and replay it whenever it’s require. No need to always type the URL in a new browser tab, enter username and passwords, etc. It does it all for you.
- Firebug: this is the little bug that could. It comes in really handy when one needs to analyze the HTML code of a page, in the same window where it is displayed. Firebug opens a pane on your browser window, and as you examine each element on the Firebug pane, the corresponding area is displayed in the webpage. It eliminates the inconvenience of keeping Notepad (in a Windows-based computer) or TextEdit (if using a Mac) open to view the source code.
- Read it Later: great tool to help you mark sites that you’d like to visit later on. It keeps a list of these sites, accessible through an RSS feed and through the Read It Later site. Synchronize it with other computers that you use on a regular basis, and you can access this list wherever you are.
So, as you can see above, Mozilla Firefox can be used for much more than simply visiting sites. If you’re an avid Web user or work in the online marketing field, there are many add-ons that will simplify routine actions. Do you have a favourite Firefox add-on or extension to recommend? Leave us a comment!
