Getting the Most Out of Your Webmaster
How to get the most out of your Webmaster
There are four points to keep in mind when working with the Webmaster:
• your Webmaster is an idiot
• your Webmaster needs all the details
• email is your friend
• you shouldn't try to write code for the Webmaster
• Assume your Webmaster is an idiot
Now, chances are your Webmaster is not an idiot (he's not). But with all those simultaneous projects going on (that you likely know nothing about) it can't be assumed that the Webmaster is going to take the time to learn all the details that you know about your department.
Assume your Webmaster is an idiot and do the detail work. Spell check your stuff. Check your typos. Don't print the page and hand him a hard copy (he can't type worth a lick - typo hilarity will ensue).
• Give your Webmaster all the details
Using our example about the Chocolate Department: don't mention to your Webmaster to find some information on the Federal Chocolate site; send the link. To say more at this point might be a tad redundant.
• email email email
Sending your requests and content changes via email is effective and prefered. Most of the time it indicates that you have already thought through the issues and changes. Email gives you an opportunity to electronically compose and organize the information you are submitting to the Webmaster. Email also leaves a record that can be referred back to later.
Good email communication will eliminate needless meetings and calls. And who doesn't like that?
• Don't write code or design webpages for the Webmaster
You know your content and are therefore suited to create it. The Webmaster knows how to take your content and format it for the website. If you code or design a webpage, all the Webmaster is going to do it redo all the labour anyway. Really.