Webmaster
Encyclopedia
A webmaster also called a web architect, web developer
, site author, or website administrator is a person responsible for maintaining one or many websites. The duties of the webmaster may include ensuring that the web servers, hardware and software are operating accurately, designing the website, generating and revising web pages, replying to user comments, and examining traffic through the site. As a general rule, professional webmasters "must also be well-versed in Web transaction software, payment-processing software, and security software."
Webmasters may be generalists with HTML
expertise who manage most or all aspects of Web operations
. Depending on the nature of the websites they manage, webmasters typically know scripting languages such as Javascript
, PHP
and Perl. They may also be required to know how to configure web servers such as Apache
or IIS and serve as the server administrator. In addition, webmasters may also act as website designers
on smaller-scale sites.
An alternative definition of webmaster is a businessperson
who uses online media to sell products and/or services. This broader definition of webmaster covers not just the technical aspects of overseeing website construction and maintenance
, but also management of content, advertising
, marketing
, and order fulfillment
for the website.
Core responsibilities of the webmaster may include the regulation and management of access rights
of different users of a website, the appearance and setting up website navigation
. Content placement can be part of a webmaster's responsibilities, while content creation may not be.
Some webmasters of larger sites may also deal with heavy volumes of email, which are often questions related to the content on the website or general computer-related inquiries.
Web developer
A web developer is a software developer or software engineer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser....
, site author, or website administrator is a person responsible for maintaining one or many websites. The duties of the webmaster may include ensuring that the web servers, hardware and software are operating accurately, designing the website, generating and revising web pages, replying to user comments, and examining traffic through the site. As a general rule, professional webmasters "must also be well-versed in Web transaction software, payment-processing software, and security software."
Webmasters may be generalists with HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
expertise who manage most or all aspects of Web operations
Web operations
Web operations is a domain of expertise within IT systems management that involves the deployment, operation, maintenance, tuning, and repair of web-based applications....
. Depending on the nature of the websites they manage, webmasters typically know scripting languages such as Javascript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
, PHP
PHP
PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
and Perl. They may also be required to know how to configure web servers such as Apache
Apache HTTP Server
The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache , is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone...
or IIS and serve as the server administrator. In addition, webmasters may also act as website designers
Web design
Web design is the process of planning and creating a website. Text, images, digital media and interactive elements are used by web designers to produce the page seen on the web browser...
on smaller-scale sites.
An alternative definition of webmaster is a businessperson
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
who uses online media to sell products and/or services. This broader definition of webmaster covers not just the technical aspects of overseeing website construction and maintenance
Software maintenance
Software Maintenance in software engineering is the modification of a software product after delivery to correct faults, to improve performance or other attributes....
, but also management of content, advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
, and order fulfillment
Order fulfillment
Order fulfillment is in the most general sense the complete process from point of sales inquiry to delivery of a product to the customer...
for the website.
Core responsibilities of the webmaster may include the regulation and management of access rights
Access control list
An access control list , with respect to a computer file system, is a list of permissions attached to an object. An ACL specifies which users or system processes are granted access to objects, as well as what operations are allowed on given objects. Each entry in a typical ACL specifies a subject...
of different users of a website, the appearance and setting up website navigation
Direct navigation
Direct navigation describes the method individuals use to navigate the World Wide Web in order to arrive at specific websites. Direct navigation is a 10 year old term which is generally understood to include type-in traffic....
. Content placement can be part of a webmaster's responsibilities, while content creation may not be.
Some webmasters of larger sites may also deal with heavy volumes of email, which are often questions related to the content on the website or general computer-related inquiries.
See also
- Chief web officerChief Web OfficerA chief web officer is the highest-ranking corporate officer in charge of an organization’s Web presence, including all internet and intranet sites...
- Online producerOnline producerAn online producer oversees the making of content for websites and other online properties. Online producers are sometimes called "web producers," "content producers," or "online editors."...
- PostmasterPostmaster (computing)In computers and technology, postmaster is a term used to identify the administrator of a mail server. Nearly every domain will have the e-mail address postmaster@example.com where errors in e-mail processing are directed...
- Professional web designersProfessional web designersProfessional web designers are found in many web design companies with the goal of creating websites that meet client specifications. Satisfying client needs and wants is the main objective of all web design teams. A web design may include a project manager, staff designer, senior designer, art...
- Web designWeb designWeb design is the process of planning and creating a website. Text, images, digital media and interactive elements are used by web designers to produce the page seen on the web browser...
- Website governanceWebsite governanceWebsite governance may be defined as an organization's structure of staff ; technical systems; and the policies, procedures, and relationships such staff have in place to maintain and manage a website...