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Web masters’ services are vital for the existence of any business website, whether it belongs to small
companies or large corporations. Often times, web masters are the actual designers of the websites
maintained by them. However, a Web master is also associated with editing and managing of websites.
They are responsible for updating, as well as maintaining websites, or operating certain parts of the
website, such as an affiliate program. Usually, they take contracts to offer Internet marketing services
to promote websites, via mail lists or newsgroups. They may also help customers attain a better
placement for their websites in search engines.

Web masters can charge their fee in different ways, such as taking up a contract for a fixed fee, charging
on an hourly basis in accordance to the difficulty level, or by working on a full-time basis for a customer.
Their mode of operation is still progressing, and the industry has a good scope for budding web masters.

Business Potential
The services of web masters have a good demand in the international market. As customers will have
to entrust webmasters with FTP passwords of their websites, they choose to know them personally.
Therefore, web masters may have to travel to meet customers while working for them.

Skills Required
Knowledge of HTML and multimedia programming languages (Java, Perl, CGI and Macromedia Flash) is
essential.  A web master should also know to access virtual servers for updating the customers’ websites, and have a working skill with graphic design and Internet marketing methods.
Challenges
A web master’s business website can be simple enough to accept requests on forms or through e-mails,
so that the services are delivered after contacting the customer; or it could be slightly advanced to allow
on line payments, interacting with customers through the front-end and allowing management tasks
through the back-end.

The business usually involves contracts within the scope of the services. As the basic skills like HTML
knowledge are easy to acquire, there is a note worthy competition in the industry. Several people,
who possess some of the skills, charge very little money to offer their services. The web master should
discuss well with the customer, with regard to the pricing and responsibilities, and also explain the
value of the services, so that customers can understand the importance of using the cost-effective and
high quality services of the webmaster. As passwords are the sole security aspect of websites, the web
master must respect them during the contract, and also after the contract is completed.

Initial Employee Requirement
An organized webmaster can set foot in this business, and operate it successfully, working part-time
from home.

Essentials
As the webmaster can design and develop the website, the cost of outsourcing this task can be saved.
You will need to have hosting services, software, computer, printer, scanner and digicam.
Programs like Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and Front Page are also necessary. A high-
speed Internet connection is something very essential for this business.
Marketing
The web master can display a portfolio on the website, exhibiting past projects and customers’
testimonials.

An awards page on the website could display any awards received by taking part in online design
contests.

The website should be optimized with search engine requirements, via pay-per-click programs of search
engines.

Joining networks and communities of other web masters will be useful to introduce the business to
many.

Getting links to the website from other related sites, directories, cybermalls and meta-indexes will
increase the traffic.

Including graphic design services and online marketing services would be useful to generate more
revenue. Besides, this would add to the value of the web master’s skill, and it is possible to get long-
term contracts from customers, provided the services are professional and cost-effective.

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