Webmaster Job Description

A webmaster needs to improve the performance of a website. His job description includes optimizing the website and analyzing the speed of the website. To do so he calculates the time needed for the webpage to load on the user's web browser. If the size of the webpage is too large, then the user will get impatient waiting for the webpage to load. The webmaster job description also requires him to monitor the uptime of the website, so that the availability of the server is as close to 100% as possible. The server should be up and running most of the time, without failing or crashing. The webmaster should also study the web analytics or statistics of the web site.

The definition of a webmaster is someone who builds and maintains websites, operating it differently for different types of websites. For example, if the website is a business website, then it will just give information about business. But if the website is an e-commerce website, then it will sell products made by the company. Shopping cart software for such an e-commerce website. PayPal (an online payment service) are set up by these professionals.

Skills Needed to Become a Webmaster

To become a webmaster, one should have good command over HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and Extensible Markup Language (XML). Knowledge of the open-source Unix operating system or its variants is a must, because the server is usually hosted on Linux or Solaris. It is also helpful, if the webmaster knows a programming language such as C++ or Java. A degree in computer science or software engineering is requisite.

The webmaster may also use a web development application such as Adobe Dreamweaver. The website should work well for all kinds of browsers, whether it is Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Safari. The ability to design graphics such as a logo for the company or a Flash intro for a website, will be an added advantage.

Job Description of a Webmaster

The roles of a webmaster are multifold. One should also be able to work as a database administrator and manage any database for the company. For example, if the database contains information about the products of the company, the webmaster should update the database if new products are added to the company's catalog. The webmaster should also check that the website has no bugs, so a customer does not get an error if he is trying to do a transaction. Security of the website, so that hackers cannot access confidential data are controlled by this software professional.

The job also requires him to be able to register domain names of the websites for its clients. The webmaster should then select a reliable host for that domain. The webmaster should also work as a marketer to create banner advertisements and display them on other websites. They also need to write website content and design a home page which contains a portfolio of the websites they have designed.

The webmaster's position also includes making sure that all the links are working properly. The webmaster should also track the traffic going to a website. The webmaster should use Internet search engine optimization to ensure that the website gets a high ranking on Internet search engines.

Webmaster jobs can be found on tech job boards. They can be promoted to become the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or a project leader in the company. Webmasters usually work in server rooms or data centers. These rooms need proper cooling facility, and so they have to work in a very chilled atmosphere throughout the day. The median job salary is $66,000 per year. Some professionals work as consultants and are also called freelancers. Others are regular employees who work with just one company.