Full Webmaster Training Course

Build, Secure & Manage Websites for Recurring Income

Module 1: Foundations of Web Hosting & Domains

• Hosting Websites
  • Choosing the right hosting provider (shared, VPS, cloud, reseller)
  • Managing control panels (cPanel, Plesk, custom dashboards)
  • Updating PHP & server software
  • Requesting delegate access to domains
  • Troubleshooting downtime & resource limits
• DNS Records
  • Understanding A, CNAME, MX, TXT, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
  • Troubleshooting DNS propagation
  • Maintaining email deliverability health
• Website Redirects & Migration
  • Redirecting traffic correctly (301, 302)
  • Migrating/cloning websites between hosts
  • Avoiding downtime during rebuilds
• Staging & Testing Environments
  • Why staging matters
  • Safely testing updates before going live

Module 2: Website Security & Reliability

• Firewall Systems
  • Configuring Cloudflare, WPMU Defender, or Wordfence
  • Blocking malicious traffic
  • Monitoring threats
• SSL Certificates
  • Installing Let’s Encrypt & premium SSL
  • Renewal and troubleshooting
• Backups & Disaster Recovery
  • Setting up automated backups
  • Restoring a site quickly after hacks or errors
  • What to do if a site is blacklisted or hacked
• Security Best Practices
  • Password management & 2FA
  • Limiting login attempts, file permissions
  • Securing API keys
• Performance Monitoring
  • Tools like UptimeRobot, Pingdom
  • Setting alerts for downtime & slow response times

Module 3: Website Functionality

• Forms (with reCAPTCHA)
  • Building secure forms (WPForms, Gravity Forms)
  • Protecting with reCAPTCHA/hCaptcha
  • Testing form deliverability
• Email Setup (Alias & SMTP)
  • Setting up professional email addresses
  • Configuring SMTP for form delivery
  • Managing IMAP/POP3
• Plugin & Theme Management
  • Vetting safe plugins/themes
  • Best practices for updates
  • Rolling back when things break

Module 4: Optimization, SEO & Analytics

• Website Optimization
  • Caching, minification, lazy loading
  • Image compression (WebP, AVIF)
  • Tools: GTmetrix, PageSpeed Insights
• Google Analytics & Search Console
  • Installing & configuring
  • Understanding reports
  • Setting goals & conversions
• Basic SEO Principles
  • On-page SEO (titles, meta, headings, alt text)
  • Internal linking & sitemaps
  • Tracking rankings & crawl errors
• Website Accessibility
  • WCAG basics: alt tags, contrast ratios, keyboard navigation
  • Testing tools: Wave, AXE, Lighthouse
• Core Web Vitals & Mobile-First
  • What they are & why they matter
  • Optimizing for user experience

Module 5: Advanced Site Management

• eCommerce Essentials
  • WooCommerce, Shopify basics
  • Securely managing products, payments, and customer data
• API Keys & Integrations
  • Google Maps, payment gateways, and CRMs
  • Safe storage practices
• Version Control Basics (Optional/Advanced)
  • Intro to Git & versioning workflows
  • Why version control matters

Module 6: Running a Webmaster Business

• Getting Paid for Services
  • Retainers vs. one-off work
  • PayPal, Stripe, Zelle, checks
  • Invoicing tools & recurring billing
• Pricing & Packaging Services
  • Creating tiered webmaster plans
  • How to position “maintenance & hosting” for recurring income
• Contracts & Legal Protections
  • Service agreements
  • Liability protections & ownership of intellectual property
• Client Communication & Expectations
  • Setting boundaries & avoiding scope creep
  • Explaining technical issues in plain English
  • Maintaining positive long-term relationships
• Client Reporting
  • Monthly/quarterly reports that clients actually understand
  • Demonstrating ROI (traffic, uptime, updates performed)

Module 7: Growth & Professional Development

• Content Creation & Curation
  • Generating content ideas
  • Sourcing curated content responsibly
  • Scheduling content for SEO & engagement
• Social Media Integration
  • Linking & embedding feeds
  • Managing client access
• Standards & Compliance
  • Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, GDPR, CCPA basics
• Onboarding New Clients
  • Checklists, intake forms, and access requests
  • Welcome emails & contracts
• Creating a Portfolio
  • Building a showcase of client work
  • Gathering testimonials & case studies
• Upselling & Cross-Selling
  • Offering SEO audits, Google Business Profile optimization, and social media help
  • Expanding from “webmaster” to “trusted digital partner”
• Time & Project Management
  • Juggling multiple client websites without burnout
  • Tools: Trello, Notion, HelpDesk systems

Capstone Project

Students will:

• Package the site as a portfolio piece & draft a mock client onboarding plan
• Set up hosting & DNS for a demo domain
• Secure it with SSL & firewall
• Build a site with forms, email, and basic SEO
• Install Google Analytics & test speed/accessibility