If you've ever surfed the Internet, you already know something about what webmasters do. Webmasters make web sites. They turn words and art into Internet sites that people can use. They give computers instructions about how words and art should look on the computer screen.

They make sure that people with different computers can use a web site. They might build a site in a few different ways so that it is easy for different computers to understand.

Webmasters also try to make sites work faster. They keep the size of files as small as they can so that it doesn't take a lot of time for a computer to download.

Webmasters test web sites, too. They watch people using a site to see if there are any parts that are hard to use. If there are, webmasters fix them. Some of these workers also meet with designers, helping to decide how a site should look and work.

They also update web sites by adding new features to the site. They fix mistakes, like links that don't work and pictures that don't show up on the screen.

Some webmasters decide what kind of computer will hold a web site's information. And they decide how the information in a web site will get to the Internet. They pick the kind of software, server, and other equipment that will be used. They also decide when information will be sent to the Internet.

Webmasters use computer software to do their jobs. They might learn to use many different types of software. Webmasters can also make a web site by typing direct instructions in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) or some other programming language.

Webmasters do the technical, computer programming work to make a website. They work with artists, writers, and designers who create the things that go on the site and decide how the site will look.

Webmasters are only one kind of network systems and data communications analyst. All of these analysts connect computers to each other so that they can share information. Local Area Network analysts, for example, connect computers that belong to a single company or school so that those computers can share private information with each other. They might set up an e-mail system or a way for people to work together on the same paper.

Analysts start by planning the system. They make a model of how the computers will be connected. They test the system to see if it is fast and private. They also give managers advice about what kinds of hardware (computers, printers, monitors) and software (computer programs) to buy.

Other analysts, called telecommunications specialists, connect computers to telephones and video machines.

Webmasters and other analysts usually work in offices or computer labs. Some work from home. Sometimes, they work in the evenings or on weekends to solve important problems with a computer system.

Sitting in front of a computer all day can hurt some workers' backs, wrists, and eyes.

Many workers like their jobs because they like computers and solving problems. They also like the chance to make creative web sites.

Webmasters should also be competent when it comes to coding. There are many different types of web programming languages on the Internet like PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, CFM, etc. The most popular is PHP. Make sure that the webmaster you hire is familiar with the language that you are currently using on your website.

Maintaining a website is another key area that your webmaster should be in charge of, which means keeping everything ship shape. If there is a broken link, fix it. If there are spam emails coming from the site, work on it. If there are trouble makers posting nonsense on the forum, ban them.