Webmaster Services

Do I Need A Webmaster?

For most Alpharetta businesses a fast, secure, and informative website is crucial to staying ahead of the competition. Most business owners, thought, don't have a full understanding of all the facets of a website that keep it up and running to full capacity. If you don't understand every link in the chain that keeps your website up and running for your customers, then you should consider hiring a local webmaster in Alpharetta.

What Does A Webmaster Do?

The duties of a webmaster may include:

• Ensuring that the web servers, hardware and software are operating correctly
• Website design and build
• Creating and revising web pages and posts
• Optimizing the website for speed
• Replying to and moderating user comments
• Examining traffic through the site
• Implementing search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives
• WordPress website support and maintenance

A website consists of many (virtually) moving parts. From basics like the domain name, to the complexities of the server configuration, to the everyday need for content updates, there are many times when a full-time professional webmaster is a far more cost effective solution to figuring things out yourself.

Internet Infrastructure and Connectivity

Before a user even sees your website their computer has to go through a few steps to show it to them. They have to get the location of your name server from the international DNS system, and then get the location of your website from your name servers. Do you know where your domain is registered and how to manipulate the settings there? Do you know where your name servers are and how to log in and make changes there? There are many times edits will need to be made to both of these systems. A webmaster will make sure you have control of these systems, and manage those systems for you. A good webmaster will have experience with systems from many specific companies in these areas and will know exactly where to go and what to do when changes are needed. You'll appreciate this when your website goes down because your hosting provider changed your website IP without giving you any notice? What does that mean? Exactly...

Website Hosting Administration

Hosting refers to the physical location of your web server and the files which create your website. It's the hardware and software that are the building blocks of your website. Many aspects of hosting can affect the performance and availability of your website. Do you know who your hosting company is and how to log in? A webmaster will make sure that your hosting account is under your control, and will make sure that you have access to login and control all aspects of your hosting account. Furthermore a good webmaster will have experience with hosting control panels so when something goes wrong, they will be very familiar with how to implement a solution. They will also be able to tell you if you have the most cost effective hosting in place. Many times business owners get up-sold by hosting companies and end up with a lot of extra services they don't even need. A webmaster can explain what services you can get rid of and can save you hundreds or sometimes thousands by showing you what extra services you can cancel.

Content Management System  Administration (WordPress For Example)

Almost all website these days days run on a content management system, more commonly known by the acronym, CMS. A CMS is made up of several levels of code that all require configuration and updating. The core code is the nuts and bolts of the CMS and controls the basic functionality. The plugins are small programs that add specific functionality to your website. Finally, the theme files dictate the look and layout of the site. All three of these layers of your CMS require configuration and updating. Out of date, vulnerable code is the most common way hackers gain entry to websites to take them over. Keeping all the code up to date is crucial for security. Furthermore every time these layers of code are updated conflicts may arise because of the new combination of systems on the site. Your local Alpharetta webmaster will be there to make sure your code is up to date and working together to keep your website online.

Website Content Updates

As mentioned before practically all website run on a content management system like WordPress, the most popular (by far). They are meant to allow non-technical people to be able to update content on the website. Gone are the days of needing to know HTML and javascript to update your website. All the same, every CMS is still software and you need to learn it to use it. Most business owner's time is better spent doing the thing the are experts at rather than spending time as a do-it-yourself website editor. Additionally, if you're keeping your website code up to date, as you should, then the CMS may be a little different than it was the last time you had to use it. If you engage local Alpharetta webmaster to manage your site for you, your website content updates are a simple call away. No more leaving old outdated content in place because it's too annoying to remember the steps to fix it. Your business hours can be up to date, your employee directory will never be stale and inaccurate. An up to date website let's your potential clients know that you're on the ball, and take care to make sure they have the information they need about your business. All this can be yours with the help of a webmaster right here in Alpharetta.

A local Alpharetta Webmaster You Can Trust

SangFroid Web Design has been working with clients in Alpharetta and all over North Atlanta since 2007. Our Alpharetta office is conveniently located at Windward Parkway just off 400. You can schedule a pow-wow with us anytime at our office, or we are happy to come meet at your location. Having a webmaster right here in Alpharetta gives you the convenience and confidence to make the most of your website. Get in touch with us today to discuss webmaster services.