The Role of a Website Manager: Key Responsibilities and Skills
A website manager occupies a uniquely multifaceted role that combines equal parts technical troubleshooting, creative content direction, analytical performance optimization, and strategic oversight.
They serve as the central steward overseeing all operations and projects impacting one or more websites.
This far-reaching position requires a diverse skillset and meticulous attention to detail. The website manager’s diligence and expertise are what keep a website running smoothly and effectively fulfilling its purpose. This in-depth article outlines the key responsibilities website managers handle and the top skills and traits that make someone successful in this demanding but rewarding role.
Core Responsibilities Spanning Technology, Content, and Analytics
On any given day, website managers juggle a variety of critical responsibilities including:
- Infrastructure Management – Website managers maintain the underlying architecture, technology stack, hosting servers, DNS settings, security protocols, and integrations that comprise a website’s backbone. They ensure uptime, speed, and ongoing performance.
- Content Updates – Managers oversee content workflows, updating site pages and assets continuously. They may create editorial calendars, commission new content, or optimize existing content.
- SEO Audits and Improvements – Conduct regular audits of site metadata, URLs, keywords, and other SEO elements that fall under the manager’s purview. They analyze and enhance site search visibility.
- Traffic Generation – It develops and executes strategies to increase traffic to the site through search optimization, social media, email campaigns, strategic partnerships, and other channels.
- Project Management – When undertaking major website projects like migrations, redesigns, new integrations, or added functionality, the manager leads planning and successful execution.
- Security and Access Monitoring – Diligent monitoring for vulnerabilities, staying updated on exploits, managing permissions, and applying security patches all help managers protect the site.
- Analytics Tracking and Analysis – Using data to inform decisions is a website manager’s bread and butter. They constantly measure KPIs and analyze trends to derive performance insights.
- User Experience Improvements – Leveraging analytics, testing, and design thinking, managers identify opportunities to refine and enhance site navigation, page layouts, loading speeds, and other elements of UX.
Technical Savvy Meets Project Coordination
The website manager role demands an intriguing blend of technical proficiency and project coordination skills including:
- Web Development Know-How – Understanding web architecture, CMS platforms, DNS management, accessibility standards, and web analytics tools allows diagnosing and resolving technical issues.
- Project Management Skills – Juggling teams, timelines, IT requirements, and launch readiness requires excellent organizational skills and experience managing web projects end-to-end.
- Analytical Thinking – Strong analytical thinking helps managers derive meaning from website data to inform optimizations. They distill insights clearly for stakeholders.
- Communication Skills – Managers must convey technical concepts and recommendations clearly to non-technical teams and leadership.
- Creative Problem-Solving – When issues inevitably arise, creativity and tenacity are required to troubleshoot root causes and restore site functionality promptly.
- Process Orientation – With many moving parts, managers stay organized by systemizing processes for content, testing, issue escalation, release management, and more.
Conclusion: The Indispensable Role of Website Managers
It occupies an invaluable, multifaceted role that combines technical know-how, analytical acumen, project oversight, user advocacy, and creative problem-solving. They are the backbone enabling an impactful, highly functional online presence. Professionals improve visibility while proactively identifying vulnerabilities. With their diligence and broad skillset, organizations can count on their websites as strategic assets that forward key business goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industries they are usually employed?
Answer: All industries with an external-facing website require website management, including tech, retail, publishing, nonprofits, healthcare, finance, advertising, and more.
What qualifications are required?
Answer: Most of the roles require a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field along with 1-2 years of relevant work experience.
What software tools do they use?
Answer: Common tools include content management systems like WordPress, web analytics platforms like Google Analytics, SEO tools, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, security monitoring software, and image/video editors.
Do they need coding skills?
Answer: It’s beneficial to understand HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery for diagnosing issues. Full-stack development or hardcore programming is less essential.
How can you progress from this role?
Answer: With experience, it can advance to senior technical roles, digital analytics, digital marketing leadership, or IT project management positions.
Sources
- https://www.impactplus.com/blog/website-manager
- https://www.webfx.com/website-maintenance/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-does-a-website-manager-do
- https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/2017/11/what-does-a-web-manager-do
- https://www.betterteam.com/website-manager-job-description
