New to web content and have a question

[flyinjam]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking into getting into web content. I have searched the forum for an hour and could't find an answer to my specific question, just little bits and pieces of info so thought i'd post. What i'm finding hard to figure out is how web content jobs work.

Do people employ web content developers and web designer/developers separately? Would the web content developer work with the web designer in updating the site, what I mean by this is does the web designer just make the site, hand all the details to the content developer, and then the content developer fills it with the content? Or does the content writer have a hand in the design and development of the site and would need a basic knowledge of HTML?

Any help is appreciated as this is an industry i'm keen to get into. I have a background in advertising and basic copy writing with qualifications in photo image capture, and started a writing course to strengthen my writing, this job seems a very interesting step for me.

Many thanks

[smanaher]

Flyinjam,

While there could be varying takes on the definition of a person who works as a web content developer, to me it means someone who is a writer. Yes they would work with a developer but only in the sense that they are handing over a file with content in it for the developer to place on the site. It generally works this way in large profitable organizations.

In smaller businesses or ones with less marketing support, a developer may very well generate content or vis versa although this is more rare.

If you are thinking of getting into web content, you probably will not need to know HTML.

Hope that answers your question,

Shawn

[HostSomething]

If you just want to do the writing there is no need for you to learn web design, HTML or anything similar. Writers just send the content over then it is dealt with at the other end. For example, the web designer or master may update the site with your content or if a smaller company the owner may add it if they are using a CMS such as WordPress.

[flyinjam]

Thanks for your comments both of you, they definitely helped broaden the picture for me.

A question along the same line I do have though, is it true the web content doesn't always have to mean the written word? Yes a lot of it would be written copy, but would a web content developers job also include illustrations, photos and info-graphics for the site? This would all fall into content, specific to the interest of the site and users and therefore needs the knowledge and background of the site subject that a developer may not necessarily be hired to complete?

If i'm crossing wires somewhere please let me know!

Thanks,

Jamie

[HarrieB]

There are people all over the world who try to do multiple tasks like designing, copy writing together.

But somehow, I strongly believe a person should not try to be a jack of all trades.

Rather, he/she should concentrate on one core area and leave the rest to others.

People mostly employ content writers to get quality content related to the niche they are working on.

The work of a designer is entirely different.

As a content develper, you do not need to know coding, css or any other thing.

You can check out elance, odesk, freelancer for content writing jobs.

[EugeneK]

There are people all over the world who try to do multiple tasks like designing, copy writing together.

But somehow, I strongly believe a person should not try to be a jack of all trades.

Rather, he/she should concentrate on one core area and leave the rest to others.

People mostly employ content writers to get quality content related to the niche they are working on.

The work of a designer is entirely different.

As a content develper, you do not need to know coding, css or any other thing.

You can check out elance, odesk, freelancer for content writing jobs.

Completely agree with HarrieB.
All smart (and large) companies I've dealt with have separate people for content writing, visuals making, and web design.
Moreover, it's not rare when you see two different people who write content for corporate website and social media.

The only exclusion that I've seen is regarding landing pages - because volume of content is pretty small and heavily based on visuals, web designer and content writer usually work together on it.

Hope that helped.

[ellena980]

It depends if static site then content need to build first and then site developed based on the content for cms content should be update later after development.

[Prabha Yadav]

If you are looking for content writing job, then it is not necessary to have knowledge of CSS and Html as these are separate from content writing. Basically content writing is related to creativity of your mind. You should have good command over English and you will be able to write unique and informative content.