ADD ADVICE TO FAVWeb editor
Web editors work for online publishers or any organisation with its own website (such as a company, local council or charity). They may also work freelance but are more likely to be employed permanently.
Web editors write, commission, edit and update content across one website or a range of websites.
Other job titles for web editors include online content manager, web manager and web editorial officer.
What web editors do
- work with content management systems to publish or update online content
- take responsibility for certain websites
- set the overall tone of a website
- generate ideas for content
- commission work from freelance writers and other contributors
- manage blogs, forums, wikis and other forms of user-generated content
- liaise with SEO/SEM specialists, designers and web developers
- understand issues surrounding user experience, accessibility and information architecture
- may control budgets
- edit content to desired length
- check articles for tone and style.
Key skills for web editors
- detailed knowledge of their market and audience
- attention to detail
- communication skills
- excellent writing skills
- good grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling
- decision-making
- technical knowledge of web publishing (HTML, CSS, etc)
- ability to work under pressure
- interpersonal skills
- ability to meet deadlines.
Training to be a web editor
Training is usually on the job, supplemented by short courses run by professional-training organisations. Most web editors start their careers as online editorial assistants.
Salaries for web editors
Very few graduates can expect to enter the industry as a web editor; most have to start as an online editorial assistant, in order to gain skills and experience before progressing further. Starting salaries for editorial assistants can be low, between £16,000 and £18,000. An experienced web editor can earn approximately £30,000.
