Depending on the various duties required for a particular website, the distinction between a webmaster and a web designer can be subtle. A webmaster, on the other hand, is typically someone who is in charge of overseeing a site’s daily activities and functions, as well as overseeing ongoing maintenance and operations. A web designer, on the other hand, is someone who creates the various visuals and other elements that make up a webpage before putting them all together to make a website. There are some cases where a webmaster and a web designer can work together, but they can also be mutually exclusive careers.
The distinction between artistry and technical upkeep is one of the most important distinctions between a webmaster and a web designer. A webmaster is someone who oversees and ensures that the technical aspects of a website are met. If a browser program has compatibility issues with a website, for example, the site’s webmaster or administrator is usually contacted and works to resolve the issues. A webmaster is usually in charge of performing or overseeing site maintenance, and he or she is also in charge of dealing with any errors or other issues that may arise over time.
While both a webmaster and a web designer are responsible for working on an Internet site, the designer is usually responsible for the site’s creative aspects. For example, a client might approach a web designer with a general idea for a site and then work with that developer to select different fonts, colors, and basic layouts. The web designer or developer then uses a combination of graphic arts and programming to create a webpage for that client. A team of designers working under one or more web producers can create some very large websites, such as pages for major online retailers.
However, in some cases, especially for smaller sites, the work of a webmaster and a web designer may overlap. The designer can continue to provide webmaster services for a client because he or she has personal and extensive knowledge of how a site is built. However, much of this is dependent on a designer’s preferences and the types of work that he or she prefers to do. When a page needs to be updated or a client wants a new site based on older designs, both a webmaster and a web designer can collaborate. A webmaster can provide information to a new designer about the various strengths and weaknesses of an older page, which the designer can use to create a new and better site.