Life of a Webmaster - Managing Multiple Websites or Domains

Hello there fellow webmasters. I know how frustrating and tiring can be to manage multiple websites or domain names or client accounts so I decided to outline the most important parts of process. Remember, you are not alone. There are thousands of webmasters like you and me struggling to stay on top of their website maintenance and management.

Some of the most important task for a webmaster:

1. Website statistics:

Life of a Webmaster - Managing Multiple Websites or Domains

You have to frequently check webpage statistics and take action depending on the statistics result. For example if the number of visitors decreased last month then you have to do something about it. Find out what went wrong, maybe. Also you have to often check bandwidth and space usage for every domain/website account. You may also want to check subdomains stats/usage too.

2. Login Details Maintenance:

Having a lot of websites/domains means that you have to deal with a lot of usernames and passwords. It's not a good idea to stick with one password for all your websites or accounts. I hope you understand that. Keeping good track of all your website's login details also helps when you want to access those websites via FTP. Setting FTP access and logging in to the servers can be frustrating.

3. Taking Backups:

If your web server does not support automatic back ups then it's your responsibility to take copies of your website's data. This is especially important when you have running databases (e.g. when you have a forum or portal). Taking frequent back ups can also help when you want to change servers.

4. Email Management:

Managing multiple domains and websites means a lot of email addresses. How do you deal with that? The smartest way to go through it, is by using email forwarding. I hope your server supports this feature since it is a common one. The idea is to redirect all email-messages from one e-mail address to another. That way, you can have a main email address and multiple other -redirect- email addresses. All messages will be redirected to your main email address.

5. Client Management:

A lot of webmasters, apart from owing websites, they also offer webhosting services to people. Everyone is tempted to make some extra cash this way. I only host websites for people i personally know. Anyway, if you have some clients you have to keep track of their domain and webhosting accounts.

Here are some issues that may arise:

- Domain expiry issues

- Account bandwidth limit reached issue

- Name server management issues

- Client support issues (online, phone etc)

- Finances

and more.. It takes a lot of time and effort to deal with all that!

6. Website/Domain Management Software:

If you use WHM/CPanel control panels you have a lot of control over your accounts. I've tried lots of control panels and they all offer more or less the same level of control but I stick to WHM/CPanel. Now, there's software based on these control panels that helps you automate webmaster tasks and manage multiple websites and accounts even if they reside in different servers.

If you search for -Domain Management Software- or -Website Management Software- you'll get millions of results. This software is supposed to automate your life and streamline your business even further. Webmaster tasks like:

- mass nameserver management

- mass account creation

- mass subdomain creation

- multiple FTP uploading

- mass chmod commands)

can be applied to multiple websites on the same time and maintained through one central location. Choosing the right domain/website management software can be tricky. Be careful when messing with that. It depends on your experience level and your way of thinking so choose wisely. You must know what you are doing. For example, you may not have many websites and feel that you don't need such management software.

There are a lot more issues and tasks that a webmaster is responsible for. I just thought of mentioning some of the most important and time consuming tasks for the average webmaster.

Life of a Webmaster - Managing Multiple Websites or Domains
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Manage multiple domains/websites using one user-friendly interface with this website management software [http://www.digitalstarproducts.com/star/-detail-64.html] that will even associate a keyword list with each one of your domains! A lot of work has been done to create videos/tutorials to convince you of the quality of the product and help you learn how to use it. Also, if you buy on time you get full time support and free software updates. The only drawback of this magnificent software is that it is only available for whm/cpanel control panels.

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As a Manager, You Are the POLICE

Some months ago I wrote an article outlining the basic managerial functions: PLANNING, ORGANIZING, LEADING and CONTROLLING. However, I introduced two more to the list: INFORMING, and ENHANCING. All together, these functions can be remembered as a simple acronym: POLICE.

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Almost every management textbook will cite the four, POLC, functions. However, aside from being easier to remember, a good case can be made for the additional two (I,E), to make a more complete array of management of managerial tasks and responsibilities. While some academicians and consultants may object to this tinkering with tradition, others may welcome the change. For business students, the new model may be an easier one to memorize and understand. Also, there is already a certain amount of overlap between the basic functions, and whatever the model is, it is there to help us comprehend, remember, and practice these elements in our management roles. 

PLOC with I & E added 

As a Manager, You Are the POLICE

informing 

Management has evolved significantly over the past several decades. There is far more emphasis on communication as companies have become less authoritarian, and as organizational complexity has increased. Technology has also had an impact, although, by far the greatest influence has resulted from societal change. Modern employees ask "WHY" and expect to understand the rationale for tasks and responsibilities. They also want to know more about the organizational mission, and the part they play in achieving it. So managers, more than ever, have a responsibility to inform and be informed. This informing/communicating responsibility is a major and essential task. Now some may say this is a part of leading, and you will find no argument here. However, because of the necessity of communication and the need for information (i.e., being informed) this function warrants its own identity. 

enhancing

Managers are no longer expected to be merely additive to the organization Their presence is expected to be synergistic and have a multiplier effect. While, it could be argued that enhancing is also a part of leadership, it is significant enough to have its own distinct designation.

If managers are required to enhance the organization through their style and initiatives, the organization will constantly evolve into a better place. Enhancement implies "raising" "heightening," "increasing value", and/or "improving quality, desirability, or attractiveness" (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

Certainly this is a primary responsibility for managers. 

Altogether: POLICE 

Your management role is to be a policeman. You are, in fact, responsible for the safety and security of your stakeholders. The stockholders, the executive team, employees and the organization are all components of your business community. Part of your role is to detect "crime" and apprehend wrongdoers This may mean identifying those who cheat the company through ineptness, laziness or sabotage. It means enforcing the rules, and that you discover and take action to rectify problems with suppliers, customers, etc. It means that you must recognize threats to the safety of your company from the competition, and other external or internal sources. It means you must weed out inefficiencies and cost overruns. It means that you must constantly POLICE your organization, and be vigilant, proactive, well-trained and disciplined. The police also have a service role. They are there to help you in time of need. When your car breaks down, when you need directions, when you feel endangered. 

So remember that, as a manager, you are the POLICE. Your responsibilities are to perform each of your functions effectively: You will PLAN, ORGANIZE, LEAD, INFORM, CONTROL, and ENHANCE. You will protect your employer, your employees, your organization and yourself. And, you will be of service to the extent of your capabilities. As a result of your efforts your organization and all associated with it will benefit.

As a Manager, You Are the POLICE

Copyright © 2008, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All Rights Reserved Worldwide for all Media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info

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