A webmaster juggles a heavy load, especially if they’re a contractor, freelancer or have their own business. While taking “shortcuts” is never a good idea (quality will suffer), it’s important to have a few tricks up the sleeve. Some webmasters, often perfectionists, can waste a lot of time tinkering with little details. If a webmaster wants to seriously make a living at this, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get down to business. Here are 4 tips for webmasters short on time.
1. Stick with Simplicity
Here’s a lovely coincidence: the current trend in web design is, in fact, simplicity. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it’s easy to pull together and maintain a simple site. However, skipping the flash and the super trendy fonts (that will have to be replaced in six months) can save some serious time. Go for a classic approach that doesn’t require constant updates and don’t add any bells and whistles that aren’t necessary.
2. Practice Time Management
Techies aren’t usually known for their time management skills, but it’s something crucial to learn. Especially for webmasters who take on clients as freelancers, it’s critical to stick to a schedule. This often means over 12 hour days, answering emails in the middle of the night (but don’t make this a habit), and working much harder than those in cubicles do.
3. Pick a Tried, Trusted Host
There are a number of managed hosting options out there, and choosing the right (or wrong) one can make a world of difference. Do the research and if a hosting service fails repeatedly or has shoddy customer service, keep looking. There are many reviews available, pricing options and different levels of customer service. It will make everyone’s life easier if the right host is identified.
4. Set Office Hours
Everyone needs to be well-rested to do their best, including web masters. While the occasional super late night or midnight call is going to be required, don’t do it on a regular basis. Give customers reasonable hours where they can expect to reach tech support, either by phone or email. When it’s time to clock out, do so (at least when it comes to answering customer queries). Otherwise, it’s easy to become a slave to work.
Everyone’s short on time, and webmasters don’t get any more of it than anyone else. However, staying organized and having the right tools–and perspective–can do wonders.
