A website administrator is responsible for a website's code, design and content. He or she may write applications for the site, update the site to fix errors, select or edit the page's layout and test the website to ensure the best experience for users. Managing the website's security, promoting the site online and working with a team of designers also are common responsibilities. To become a website administrator, you will need experience in web design and development, formal education in the form of a college degree or certification, communication skills, project management skills and industry experience.
The formal education required to become a website administrator is usually a combination of an associate's degree or bachelor's degree and some certifications related to website design, project management or web programming. Degrees in web design, graphic design, programming and general information technology are common for entering the field and usually include courses in web programming languages, layout design, digital imaging, electronic commerce, networking and multimedia design. The type of certification needed depends on the employer but usually involves some type of webmaster designation. These requirements may be waived, if you have significant experience as a webmaster or website administrator and have the required technical skills for the job sought.
To become a website administrator, you will likely need skills that fall outside technical expertise. Online marketing and social networking have become additional duties for website administrators as companies try to gain additional exposure online. You also may be responsible for creating website content and editing the existing content on a site, so communication skills are important. For website administrators who work with a team of other designers and developers, project management is a critical skill to keep the work process organized.
The experience needed to become a website administrator typically involves experience working with websites and experience in the prospective company's industry. Many website administrators start their careers in entry-level web design roles at a company, but some also start as freelancers and create their own websites to offer their services. The length of web design experience needed can range from two to five years, but some employers may hire those with less experience. Although it is not always required, employers often prefer those who have experience in their particular industry, such as marketing, finance or health care. This requirement is found more often when one is responsible for creating website content or has to make web applications related to the field.