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Webmaster
- Weaving a beautiful sight!
IN the days of the horses and guns we had cowboys. In
the days of the Roman Empire we had warriors and chariots,
and in our days of 'Cyber technology,' we have Webmasters
and the Internet, which fits the analogy perfectly.
What does the Webmaster do?
There are three aspects to a web site.
1. Technology
2. Design
3. Content
To put it simply a good Webmaster should have knowledge
about all the above aspects. That is an ideal Webmaster.
He can and should be honoured with the prestigious title
of 'Spider,' the logical name for a Webmaster. Though
an uncommon term, I constantly attempt to use in common
parlance and thus gain it the acceptance it deserves.
The good thing about the title Webmaster is that you
need not have any special degrees or qualification to
become a Webmaster. One just needs to live in that 'World'
(wide web). Perceive 'our' world as the virtual world;
it's a comfortable world and everything is at your fingertips.
It is a unique career, aptly suited for those interested
in something out of the ordinary.
Obviously a Webmaster will fit best in a company that
has to do anything with the Internet. This could include
various categories of Internet sub-industries like:
1. Job sites
2. E-commerce sites
3. Knowledge portals
4. Horizontal portals
5. Search engine Sites
6. Gaming sites. The list can go on.
No matter what the site is about, the three main functions
(design, technology and content) will always be there.
The degree to which they are used will vary from site
to site. This is where we can differentiate job roles.
There are some useful sites and newsletters, which keep
you abreast with the relevant IT happenings and guide
you to use them effectively. FreeWebmasterTools.com,
webpro.com and itspace.com are some of them.
Lets define what each function covers and how and where
one can learn it.
Design 'Expects'
Designing of the web site can considered as the
most important aspects during the creation of a web
site because the first impression is the lasting impression.
The first thing a surfer sees when he visits
a site is the browser and the site. Before he can read
the content or look into the technical aspects of the
site he sees the design by default. Only then does he
formulate, his 'designs' on the site.
To be able to design a web site the spider has
to learn some programming scripts and graphic application
software's. List of s/w.
Technical 'Expects'
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Java
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HTML
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Java Scripts
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ASP
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CGI
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Server tech
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Data base management
Content 'Expects'
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Design is a one-time thing, which needs only small
updations. Major changes need be done only once in
a while.
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Technology takes care of all backend programming to
make the site run and deliver what it purports to
offer. Here too changes are minimal.
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Content is a most important aspect of the site for
it makes it attractive and 'alive' all the time. The
contents of the site vary accordingly.
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The web master has to prepare the content keeping
the mind that he is writing for the web and not for
any other media.
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A site has static and dynamic content. A web-master
has to run a quality check of the content, update
it if required, check for errors of any kind. It can
be safely said that content makes the site.
Online Marketing and alliances.
This will ensure that the site comes up in search engines.
Site maintenance and statistics analysis
Maintenance includes checking spelling and grammatical
errors and ensuring that all links work..
In India the concept of having a dedicated Webmaster
is fast catching on. Depending on the site one is working
for, the salary varies. However, Rs 5- 8,000/ per month
would be an ideal start as a trainee. Experienced hands
can expect between Rs 25,000 to Rs.50, 000 per month.
This is a field with tremendous growth potential.
The webmasters literally own the site. It's his baby
after all!
Webmaster's fact file
Summary
Web masters represent diverse backgrounds and skills.
The title "Webmaster" is a term that can apply
to anyone in charge of a Web site, from a brand manager
to an MIS director. The basic focus of operation would
be in the areas of product updation and quality control,
Web marketing and online communication.
Essential duties & responsibilities:
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Making sure that the server and software used to operate
the web site are functioning properly. For this he
should have a basic knowledge of web development tools.
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Getting the website to show up in the searches conducted
on top search engines.
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Assisting in getting content/strategic alliances through
the web, thus taking care of key respects in brand
advertising and web marketing on the Net.
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Creating and updating web pages.
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Replying to user feedback received via the site.
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Coordinating with the technical, content, marketing
and design teams involved to keep the site going.
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Updating the team about new web technologies.
Top institutes
NIIT, Aptech, Arena and Asset offer Internet and multimedia
related courses, useful for aspiring webmasters. The
internationally recognized Certified Internet Webmaster's
course is offered too (www.ciwcertified.com),
through franchise centers in India.
Ashwin
Joti
ashwin.hyd@cxknetworks.com
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