Definition:
A webmaster is a person who manages and manages a website. Some definitions indicate that a webmaster is the person responsible for an Internet server, although it is popularly known by this term as the owner of a website or the person in charge of keeping it enabled.
Origin of the term webmaster
The term “webmaster” originated in the early days of the World Wide Web in the mid-1990s. It was used to describe the person responsible for the creation, management and maintenance of a website. The word is composed of “web,” which refers to the worldwide network of interconnected information, and “master,” which implies dominion or control over something.
As the web grew and became more complex, the role of the webmaster also evolved. Initially, many webmasters were individuals who learned to create websites in a self-taught manner, using basic tools and simple programming languages. Over time, as technology advanced and new standards and practices were introduced, the term expanded to encompass a variety of technical and creative responsibilities.
Today, although “webmaster” is still a term used, it has been complemented by other more specialized roles, such as web developers, user experience (UX) designers, and content managers, reflecting the diversification of skills needed in the field of website management.
Functions of a webmaster
Depending on the size of the site, the webmaster could be responsible for any of the following functions:
- Ensure that the Web server hardware and software are running correctly.
- The design of the website.
- Creation and updating of Web pages.
- Respond to user feedback.
- Creation of CGI scripts.
- Monitoring traffic through the site.
Necessary knowledge
Depending on the nature of the web sites they manage, webmasters often know scripting languages such as ColdFusion, JavaScript, JSP, .NET, Perl, PHP and Ruby. Knowledge may also be required to know how to configure web servers, such as Apache HTTP (Apache) or Internet Information Services (IIS), and to be a server administrator. Most server roles should however be supervised by the IT administrator. Among the fundamental responsibilities of a webmaster, may include the regulation and management of the access rights of the different users of a website or content management system. Introducing content can be part of one of the many functions of a webmaster, although creating you doesn’t have to be included.