Web Administrators
Whenever you run into something you don't know -- whether in your studies or your work -- you naturally search for it online, since the internet is the easiest and fastest way to find information. There are countless websites that give us information on all kinds of topics, and with the huge technological progress the world has seen recently, a wide variety of websites specializing in every area of life have emerged. Most government bodies and businesses in every country now have their own websites too. Today there are more than a billion websites in the world. And you should know that any website can develop faults that might cause it to stop working entirely, and you might also find errors in some of the information published on it. That's why every company that owns a website hires someone called a "web administrator" to monitor the site's operation, make sure it's working properly, and be responsible for detecting any errors on it.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Back up or modify applications and related data to provide for disaster recovery.
- Determine sources of Web page or server problems, and take action to correct such problems.
- Review or update Web page content or links in a timely manner, using appropriate tools.
- Monitor systems for intrusions or denial of service attacks, and report security breaches to appropriate personnel.
- Implement Web site security measures, such as firewalls or message encryption.
- Collaborate with development teams to discuss, analyze, or resolve usability issues.
- Test backup or recovery plans regularly and resolve any problems.
- Monitor Web developments through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
- Implement updates, upgrades, and patches in a timely manner to limit loss of service.
- Identify or document backup or recovery plans.
- Collaborate with Web developers to create and operate internal and external Web sites, or to manage projects, such as e-marketing campaigns.
- Install or configure Web server software or hardware to ensure that directory structure is well-defined, logical, and secure, and that files are named properly.
- Gather, analyze, or document user feedback to locate or resolve sources of problems.
- Develop Web site performance metrics.
- Identify or address interoperability requirements.
- Document installation or configuration procedures to allow maintenance and repetition.
- Identify, standardize, and communicate levels of access and security.
- Track, compile, and analyze Web site usage data.
- Test issues such as system integration, performance, and system security on a regular schedule or after any major program modifications.
- Recommend Web site improvements, and develop budgets to support recommendations.
- Inform Web site users of problems, problem resolutions, or application changes and updates.
- Document application and Web site changes or change procedures.
- Develop or implement procedures for ongoing Web site revision.
- Provide training or technical assistance in Web site implementation or use.
- Perform user testing or usage analyses to determine Web sites' effectiveness or usability.
- Evaluate or recommend server hardware or software.
- Correct testing-identified problems, or recommend actions for their resolution.
- Develop or document style guidelines for Web site content.
- Develop and implement marketing plans for home pages, including print advertising or advertisement rotation.
- Check and analyze operating system or application log files regularly to verify proper system performance.
- Set up or maintain monitoring tools on Web servers or Web sites.
- Develop testing routines and procedures.
- Evaluate testing routines or procedures for adequacy, sufficiency, and effectiveness.
- Test new software packages for use in Web operations or other applications.