Good documentation isn’t just for big teams or complex systems, it’s one of the best investments you can make in any web project.
When I write code, I’m always thinking about future developers, collaborators, and even future me. Clean, consistent documentation saves time and makes your project more maintainable in the long run.
The problems I face when delving into a new project as a developer isn’t usually down to bad code, it’s because there’s no documentation. Over the years, I’ve been brought into dozens of projects where I’ve had to spend hours untangling decisions: trying to work out why something was built a certain way, whether it’s still functional, or if it’s just leftover, unused code. The code itself often isn’t wrong, it’s just undocumented, meaning you have to make guesses.
In this post, I’ll share why documentation matters, what good documentation looks like, and how even small improvements can make a big difference to your website’s future.
Why doesn’t the documentation exist?
Here are the most common reasons I’ve seen for documentation being overlooked:
- A single developer built the entire project
When only one person has ever worked on a project, they often assume they’ll always be the only one managing it. Documentation might feel unnecessary because they already know how everything works. - The project has changed hands multiple times
When a project gets passed between different companies or freelancers, documentation often falls by the wayside. Each party assumes someone else will handle it or doesn’t take the time to backtrack and add it. - No time was allocated for documentation
In some cases, projects are rushed to completion, and documentation is treated as a “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity. It’s easy to cut when deadlines loom, but that short-term gain leads to long-term pain.
Good documentation is an investment
What is code documentation?
In essence, documentation is a roadmap for a project. It explains how the code works, why certain decisions were made, and how the project runs as a whole.
More than that, good documentation is an investment. It saves future developers countless hours of frustration and troubleshooting, and it can save clients or website owners a lot of money in the long run.
At its core, documentation isn’t just about being thorough, it’s about showing respect for whoever picks up the project next. Whether that’s another developer, your future self, or the client who may need to onboard someone new.
How I can help
I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of documentation can create bottlenecks, cause frustration, and lead to unnecessary expenses for clients. That’s why I offer code documentation as a service.
When I work on a project – whether it’s creating a custom WordPress theme, building a website from scratch, or maintaining an existing site. I always ensure that documentation is part of the process. Here’s how I approach it:
- Comprehensive project documentation: I provide clear instructions on how to set up, run, and maintain the project. This includes README files, information about compilers or build processes, and explanations of key features.
- Inline code comments: I make sure critical parts of the code are well-commented, explaining what they do and why they’re important.
- Version control best practices: I use Git to manage project history, ensuring there’s a clear record of changes and decisions.
- Developer handover guides: If I need to pass a project on, I create a developer-focused handover document, saving time and ensuring a smooth transition.
Documentation shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be core part of building websites that are designed to grow and be looked after properly over time.
Every project I deliver at Starboard includes clear, developer-friendly notes and editor guidance – because a website shouldn’t feel like a mystery to manage.
If you’re planning a project and want a site that’s just as strong behind the scenes as it is on the surface, get in touch!
