What Skills Does a Web Content Manager Need?

what-skills-does-a-web-content-manager-needA web content manager needs a certain skill set in order to excel in their position. As illustrated below, this will include both technical and communication skills.

What is Web Content Management?

Web content management is mostly handled through web content management systems (WCMS). Thus, the web content manager must have the appropriate technical training in order to maintain and improve the system.

A web content management system is a software program that allows users to create and manage website content. This is accomplished through a variety of administration tools that do not require users to know markup or web programming languages. In fact, most administration is done through web-based interfaces. Web content management is designed to be a collaborative process. The web content management system itself will have beneficial collaboration tools that allow various users to create, manage and edit web content. Almost all web content management systems use some sort of database for storing content.

Web Content Controls

Web content managers must control a wide range of functions and features. For this reason, they must have technical competencies and knowledge. For example, they must be able to create standard templates and manage access control for user groups. Web content managers that oversee online user driven or information heavy websites must have excellent interpersonal, communication and customer service skills. This is because they will be continually editing content and interacting with others.

Good project management skills are necessary to ensure smooth workflows between technical and communication employees. Related to this, the web content manager must be able to effectively collaborate with others through the web content management system.

Basic Skills

Strong writing is the most fundamental skill that web content managers must have because their jobs revolve around creating professionally written content. Thus, they must also have excellent editing and proofreading skills. Senior web content managers will supervise writers, editors and web technicians. As a result, the more technical knowledge a web content manager has, the better they will be at their job. While they do not need to be fluent in HTML or Java, they must be familiar with the basic markups and tweaks needed to craft a professional appearance. Many web content managers gradually build up technical acumen through solving their own problems and studying by themselves. Web content managers must be familiar with popular social media platforms. They may use their social media proficiency to communicate with others, or they may use it when connecting their website to target social media platforms

Advanced Skills

Web content managers must be able to quickly and accurately source, develop and edit a vast array of content topics. This means that a news-based web content manager must be well-informed and technically trained so that they can create visually dynamic content that engages visitors, raises brand awareness and maintains alignment with the company values. Web content managers must excel in managing change, identifying competitive threats and appealing to audiences. Finally, web content managers must have excellent analytic interpretation and implementation skills. As web content managers understand more about website analytics, they will be able to extrapolate and apply the date to reach design, marketing and business goals. For example, knowing why and when online shoppers access the website will enable them to make technical changes to increase online conversions.

It is plain to see that web content managers need both soft skills, such as writing and imagination, and hard skills, such as web programming languages. Being a web content manager requires artistic creativity and technical prowess.

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