Duties and responsibilities
A web editor is responsible for the content and images used on a website. They plan, research, write copy and edit the content of a website. Their typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Planning the style of copy required for the webpage
- Assessing which web content needs updating
- Creating schedules and agreeing deadlines
- Producing new content, which is written in an interesting manner
- Sourcing images and artwork for the website
- Maintaining the site once it is live and ensuring that all the information on it is accurate
Qualifications
Ideally, web editors will have a bachelors degree in English, or in a field related to the website they are writing for. However, it is possible to become a web editor without any postsecondary education, as long as you can demonstrate excellent writing skills.
Skills and relevant work experience
Web editors need to be thorough and have a good imagination. As well as this, they will need skills such as:
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- Written and oral communication skills, because web editors will need to communicate with their colleagues and write good content
- Research skills, as web editors will need to research the subject that they are going to write about
- Multitasking skills, as web editors are likely to have multiple projects going on at once
- Creativity, as web editors will need to come up with interesting and unique content
Hours
Web editors tend to work full time hours. When deadlines are approaching, they may have to work extra hours, including evenings and weekends. As a whole, editing can be quite a stressful career where lots of overtime is required.
Salary
According to Zippia, the average annual salary for a web editor in the United States is $55,436. At the lower end, the bottom 10% make around $41,000 per year, whereas at the higher end the top 10% make over $74,000 per year.
Progression
Wed editors often progress up from copywriting positions. After they reach an editorial role, they can progress further to become a senior editor. In this position, they will have the responsibility of instructing a team of other editors and writers.