Become aPersonal Web Manager

Personal Web Managers are the architects of the digital realm. You get to be at the helm of innovation, shaping the internet, one webpage at a time. You’ll find vast opportunities across multiple sectors, from e-commerce and media to academia and not for profit.

• Manage and enhance online presence.
• Create and curate engaging digital content.
• Drive brand growth and online engagement.
• Develop innovative web solutions.

As a Personal Web Manager, you’ll wear multiple hats. You’ll be responsible for website functionality, performance optimisation, user experience, and so much more. You’ll collaborate with diverse teams, solve complex problems, and always stay ahead of the curve in technological advancements.

A Personal Web Manager can find opportunities in a wide variety of industries, each providing unique challenges and rewards. Some potential sectors include:

E-Commerce

In the world of online shopping, a Personal Web Manager ensures smooth operations, optimal site performance, and a seamless user experience. With a rapid growth in online sales, e-commerce companies continuously search for skilled web managers.

Education

Whether it’s schools, universities, or online education platforms, a smooth-functioning and user-friendly website is crucial. As a web manager in this sector, you will ensure that educational resources are accessible and comprehensible.

Hospitality and Travel

The hospitality and travel industry heavily relies on its online presence. Managing booking systems, showcasing attractive destination photos, or offering virtual tours – these tasks all fall under the responsibilities of a Personal Web Manager.

Healthcare

Digital health solutions are the future of medical care. Personal Web Managers in this sector would ensure that critical healthcare information is available and accessible, and that digital tools like appointment booking or online consultations function seamlessly.

Finance and Banking

With digital banking becoming the norm, finance companies need secure, user friendly websites. As a Personal Web Manager in this sector, you’d ensure a safe and seamless digital banking experience.

Entertainment and Media

Websites are pivotal for publishing articles, streaming videos, or promoting events. Working in this industry would mean handling high traffic, optimizing load times and ensuring a satisfying user experience.

Government Agencies

As public services go digital, government agencies require comprehensive and user friendly websites. A career in this sector would mean catering to a wide demographic and ensuring information is easily accessible and understandable.

Tech Companies

With technology companies, a Personal Web Manager might work on a product website, a services portal, or an internal site. The tech sector often provides the opportunity to work with the latest web technologies and trends.

Freelance or Self-Employed

Last but not least, many Personal Web Managers opt for freelance work or they run their own web management business. This offers the freedom to work on different projects across various industries.

Remember, where you choose to apply your skills as a Personal Web Manager depends on your personal interests and career aspirations. The great thing about this role is its versatility and the demand across almost every sector.

Personal Web Managers require a unique blend of skills. Not only do you need to be tech savvy and have a keen eye for detail, but you also need to be a creative problem solver. Here are some essential skills:

• Coding
• SEO knowledge
• Understanding of UX/UI design
• Critical thinking
• Creativity

Want to get a head start? Focus on these subjects that will give you the required foundational knowledge:

• Computer Science: Understand the basics of coding and software development.
• Design: Learn about UI/UX, essential for creating user-friendly websites.
• Mathematics: Develop problem-solving and logical reasoning skills.
• English: Enhance your communication skills.

Personal Web Managers are digital magicians, crafting unique web experiences and ensuring smooth digital operations. Here are some of the cool things they do:

Web Design Magic

Just like a painter, a Personal Web Manager paints the digital canvas of a website. They choose the perfect layout, color scheme, and graphics to make a website appealing and user-friendly.

Performance Tuning

They ensure the website is fast and efficient. Imagine being a pit crew for a race car, tweaking and tuning to get the best performance – that’s what Personal Web Managers do for websites!

Building Bridges

Personal Web Managers act as the bridge between the tech team and other departments, ensuring everyone’s needs are met. It’s like being a multilingual diplomat in the world of web.

Defending the Fort

They take care of website security and protect it from cyber attacks. Think of it as being the cyber champion, defending your castle from digital invaders!

SEO Wizardry

They perform SEO optimisation to get the website to top search engine rankings. It’s like being a digital Agent Scully, understanding the algorithm mysteries and making the site more visible.

User Experience Guru

They shape the user experience, ensuring visitors can navigate the site with ease and achieve their goals quickly. It’s like being an empath, understanding and catering to user needs to offer a delightful web journey.

Trend Spotter

They stay updated with the latest digital trends and incorporate them into the website. It’s like being a fashionista, but in the digital world!

Problem Solver

They troubleshoot any issues that come up on the site. Think of it as being a digital doctor, diagnosing and treating website problems to keep it healthy.

Melanie Perkins

Co-founder and CEO of Canva, you’ve probably heard of it, and maybe even used it! It’s a highly popular online design and publishing tool. Perkins, along with her team, developed a platform that simplified graphic design for everyone, making her a significant figure in the web development space.

Lauren Bath

One of Australia’s first professional Instagram influencers and a personal web manager for several high-profile clients. She has successfully turned her passion for travel and photography into a powerful online brand, helping others to build and manage their online presence with her expertise.

Kristy Shen

A digital strategist and personal web manager, Kristy Shen has helped numerous small businesses and entrepreneurs establish strong online identities. She has been recognised for her innovative approaches to content creation and digital marketing, earning a reputation as a leader in the field.

Mia Freedman

Co-founder of Mamamia, Mia Freedman has extensive experience in personal web management. Her work in building one of Australia’s largest women’s media companies has made her a notable figure in digital media, with expertise in content strategy and online brand management.

Sarah Holloway

Co-founder of Matcha Maiden and the Seize the Yay podcast, excels in personal web management. Her ability to blend entrepreneurship with digital strategy has helped her clients achieve significant online growth and engagement.

Personal Web Managers are not just tech geeks; they’re creative, innovative, and adaptive. Here are some personality traits that will make you shine in this role:

• Creative
• Detail-oriented
• Problem-solving
• Adaptable
• Patient

When it comes to tertiary education for becoming a Personal Web Manager, multiple possibilities exist. Here are a few:

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or Computer Science

Many universities offer programs in IT or Computer Science. These programs typically include courses on programming, web development, software engineering, databases, and other related subjects.

Bachelor’s degree in Web Design or Web Development

These programs emphasise on the design aspects of web management, such as user interface and user experience design, as well as practical web development skills.

Bachelor of Information Technology (Web Development)

This degree focuses on web design, development, and programming. Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers comprehensive programs that cover the technical skills needed to build and manage websites effectively.

Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing)

Focuses on online marketing strategies, social media, and content creation. Curtin University provides a strong program in digital marketing, equipping you with the skills to enhance online presence and engagement.

Interdisciplinary studies or integrating various fields of study can immensely benefit your journey towards becoming a Personal Web Manager. This role calls for a broad set of skills, ranging from technical know-how to design aesthetics, all while maintaining a user-centric approach.

Combining fields such as Computer Science, Web Design, and Digital Marketing can provide a good understanding of what is needed to excel in this role. Whether it’s understanding the complexities of back-end coding, crafting the visual elements of a user interface, or strategising SEO tactics, an interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive grasp of the multiple facets involved in web management.

If you are considering tertiary education as a pathway to become a Personal Web Manager, these are some areas of study that you will likely touch upon at a University:

Computer Science

This course will provide a solid foundation for understanding how software and hardware work. You will learn languages such as Java, Python, C++ and also get an introduction to concepts like algorithms, computer architecture, data structures and software design.

Information Systems

This course will typically cover how to manage technology in a business environment, including databases, networks, and IT project management. 

Web Development

Here, you’ll get hands-on experience with building websites from scratch. This involves learning to code in languages used specifically for the web, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more.

Design

A course in design will give you valuable insights into creating attractive and functional user interfaces. It involves learning about design principles, color theory, typography, and user experience.

Digital Marketing

Knowing how to market a website is crucial for a Personal Web Manager. In this course, you will learn about SEO, social media marketing, content strategy, and other digital marketing concepts.

Cybersecurity

A crucial responsibility of a Personal Web Manager is keeping websites safe from cyber threats. A course in cybersecurity will equip you with the knowledge of potential vulnerabilities and ways to prevent cyberattacks.

Data Science

You will learn how to make data-driven decisions to improve the performance of a website. This involves learning about statistical analysis, data visualization, and machine learning.

Digital Marketing Agencies

Gain  experience by interning or getting work experience with agencies that specialise in web development and digital marketing, learning from industry experts.

University is not the path for you, alternative pathways to becoming a Personal Web Manager include:

Certified Web Developer

Offered by organisations like the International Web Association (IWA), this certification covers essential web development skills, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Google Analytics Certification

Gain expertise in analysing web traffic and performance through Google’s official certification, which is invaluable for making data-driven decisions in web management.

Participate in Web Development Projects

Engage in projects that involve designing and maintaining websites, creating content, and implementing SEO strategies to gain hands-on experience.

Web management is a field full of diverse opportunities. Here are some potential career pathways:

Chief Web Officer (CWO): As a CWO, your role would encompass all aspects of an organisation’s web-based presence, including strategy, procedures, architectural design, and day-to-day operations.

Web Services Manager: In this role, you would manage staff that develop and maintain web-based applications, ensuring the functionality and efficiency of web services.

Web Development Manager: This role involves managing a team of web developers and ensuring the successful development and maintenance of websites or web applications.

Web Content Strategist: As a Web Content Strategist, you would plan, coordinate, and execute digital content strategies, often working closely with marketing and design teams to enhance the website’s user experience and SEO.

Digital Marketing Manager: In this capacity, you’d leverage the website to enhance an organisation’s online marketing efforts, including SEO, PPC, email marketing, social marketing, and content development.

E-Commerce Manager: If you work in the e-commerce sector, you would oversee a company’s online sales and presence. You might manage internet, mobile, and other digital marketing and sales efforts.

SEO Manager: As an SEO Manager, your primary role would be to ensure the website ranks high in search engine results, driving organic traffic to the site.