Webmasters need more than just technical skills when it comes to running a website effectively; however, it’s beneficial if they know their technical way around a server or computer. With tools like cPanel, WordPress and other webmaster tools you can effectively launch a website without much technical know-how.
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What is a Webmaster?
The reality is you can get a really good web hosting package from a trusted hosting provider with a great built-in website builder or use one-click installers in cPanel to set up your preferred CMS. Whichever method you choose nowadays it’s easier than ever to set up a fully-functional webpage without the help of a webmaster. However, when doing it yourself you step into the role of a webmaster. But beyond having the technical savvy, as we stated earlier, you need to have several personal skills that will help to serve you as a webmaster as your site develops and grows.
1. Webmasters need to have people skills
Normally, being a webmaster is a solitary profession. However, as a webmaster, you are still required to interact with people online. You’ll need to work through technical support with your website users and speak to the technical support staff at your hosting provider. More importantly, if your website is e-Commerce you will have to have great customer service skills as well. Having great people skills ensures that you can work through any problems quickly and amicably. This plays a key role in building your customers’ confidence and it only helps to augment your brand and its awareness.
2. Webmasters must have patience
The simplest website can take hours to build out making web building a tedious task if you are not a naturally patient person. Building a fully functional and responsive website can takes months of work and so you have to be patient and engage the process. With anything, you need time on your side to build and create a successful website.
Webmasters are usually very patient people who know that slow and steady wins the race. A good webmaster takes the time to carve out a niche with their website, build an audience of loyal followers and creates content that attracts and converts their audience. All of this requires patience and a steady work ethic. When it comes to any technical issues, webmasters need a calm head to work through any issues that may arise.
3. Webmasters need to have top-notch research skills
How fast can you Google? While being technically savvy is the foundation of a good webmaster, having really good research skills can get you far. Especially when every new website presents its series of challenges and setbacks. You may need to learn about new and emerging technology to help you stay ahead of the game.
Every project you take on as a webmaster will require you to research and learn a new skill set to get you through building out another great website. The ability to source new information is imperative to any job and should be a part of any webmaster’s toolkit. Typical things webmasters may have to research include but are not limited to:
- Managing technical problems,
- Setting up promotional strategies for your website,
- Being aware of new emerging internet tech,
- Mastering content management
- and SEO skills.
4. Webmasters need to have humility
No matter how skilled you are or how much of a quick learner you are, you will never know all there is to know about being a webmaster. New technologies are emerging every day and if you’re not naturally humble you may miss out on a great opportunity to grow as a webmaster. You may be tempted to do a lot of the work on your own but wisdom means you know when to ask for assistance if need be.
Solicit further technical support when you need it. Reach out to your webmaster friends that may have a stronger skill set than you and take it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Understand that there is always room for expansion as a webmaster.
Remember there is always someone that may be stronger than you in one area or another and so being able to trust their judgment is crucial to being a good webmaster. When you place the expertise of another person ahead of your own you allow yourself to learn more and it’s not an easy skill to master. Be humble and trust those that will help you to learn more.
5. Webmasters must be persistent
Like with everything in our world, websites are subject to malfunction, disruption and technical mishaps—something is bound to go wrong. So, prepare for that! There is a myriad of things that can go haywire with a website from site downtime, to attacks by cybercriminals and other setbacks; you have to be prepared for anything.
Working through these problems requires dedication, hard work and persistence. The key is to not allow any setbacks, technical or otherwise to stop you from building and maintaining an awesome website.
You must learn how to surmount your obstacles efficiently with skill. Sometimes it may require you to lose a couple of hours of sleep but that comes with the territory. Persistence always pays off.
Do you have what it takes to be a Webmaster?
When it comes to running a successful website, you need more than just the technical know-how to get it done. You need a bevy of great characteristics in your skillset to make yourself great in the field. Among them, we suggest creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness and the ability to laugh at yourself when things get too serious. Becoming a webmaster is an excellent skill to help you expand not only as a professional but as a person as well. If you have the time and the energy to keep up with a fast pace industry then being a webmaster is perfect for you!
