Being a Webmaster is a lot of work and research is a big part of it. Like most professions, you need to stay on top of your game. Whether you're building a new website or taking one over, you will need a plan. And a solid plan requires research.
If you haven't already, read What is a Webmaster first.
Below we have compiled a list of areas of research that you as a Webmaster shoud be very familiar with and actively pursuing. Remember to write down everything you research and the results of your research.
Tools & Service Providers Research
Having the right tools for the job is key. Knowing what to use and when will give you the confidence to move forward faster and get things done. As a Webmaster you'll always be asked: where do I register a domain? what's a reliable hosting company? what's your recommendation? Being able to provide knowledgeable advice is your most valuable asset. It's your most valuable asset because it's a source of passive income. Learn how to research service providers and evaluate which are the best tools for specific situations in projects.
Competition Research
Whether you're a freelancer building a new website for a client or an entrepreneur launching and online business for yourself or just got hired as a webmaster for a company, always start by researching the competition. It's one of the most rewarding and easiest task you can acomplish without much effort. Learn how to research competition and gain competitive advantage.
Keywords Research
Keywords research is a job on its own. There are people making a living by just researching keywords. It's a very valuable skill that every webmaster should be knowledgeable of. Keywords are the words people type in Google to find what they are looking for. Learn how to research keywords.
Domain Names Research
Monitor accessibility and functionality. Set reminders for domain and SSL certificate expiration dates. Use heatmaps. Monitor competitors. Monitor the web to find mentions of the domain name. Learn how to research domain names.
Trends Research
Build users journey reports. Slice and dice to extract relevant information for decision making. Measure performance of advertising efforts. Learn how to research trends.