Question 1

When should I start writing documentation?

Accepted Answer

As soon as users start asking the same questions twice. Start simple: a FAQ page. Expand to full docs as product complexity grows. Documentation is an ongoing process, not a one-time project.

Question 2

GitBook, Readme, or Docusaurus?

Accepted Answer

GitBook is simple and looks great—good for most startups. Readme is excellent for API docs with interactive features. Docusaurus is developer-oriented and self-hosted. Match to your technical audience and needs.

Question 3

What should I document first?

Accepted Answer

Getting started guide (most important), common workflows, FAQ from support tickets, API reference if applicable, and troubleshooting. Prioritize by what users struggle with most.

Question 4

How do I write good documentation?

Accepted Answer

Clear, concise language. Task-oriented (how to do X, not just what X is). Screenshots and examples. Assume less knowledge than you think. Test with real users. Update when things change.

Question 5

Should technical writers or developers write docs?

Accepted Answer

Developers for API/technical docs—they know the details. Technical writers or product people for user docs—better at explaining simply. Eventually specialize, but founders often do both early on.

Question 6

How do I keep documentation updated?

Accepted Answer

Make docs part of your release process: no feature ships without docs. Regular audits to catch outdated content. User feedback to identify gaps. Assign ownership so someone is responsible.

Question 7

What is docs-as-code?

Accepted Answer

Treating documentation like source code: version controlled (Git), reviewed like PRs, automatically built and deployed. Docusaurus and similar tools enable this. Great for developer-centric organizations.

Question 8

How do I structure documentation?

Accepted Answer

Organize by user goal: Getting Started, Guides (how-to), Reference (detailed specs), and Troubleshooting. Clear navigation is essential. Use search for large doc sets.

Question 9

Should I use video or text documentation?

Accepted Answer

Text is searchable and skimmable. Video is better for complex visual processes. Use both: text docs with embedded videos where helpful. Video alone is hard to maintain and search.

Question 10

How do I measure documentation quality?

Accepted Answer

Track support tickets for documented topics (should decrease), search queries that return no results (gaps), doc page engagement, and user satisfaction surveys. Data tells you what to improve.

Question 11

What about internal documentation?

Accepted Answer

Internal docs (processes, runbooks, architecture) often live in Notion or Confluence. Separate from customer-facing docs but equally important. Document tribal knowledge before it walks out the door.

Question 12

How do I handle documentation for different user types?

Accepted Answer

Separate docs for different audiences: end-users, developers, admins. Clear navigation or separate sites. Don't force a developer to wade through beginner content, or vice versa.

Question 13

What is a changelog and should I have one?

Accepted Answer

A changelog documents product changes over time. Essential for transparency and keeping users informed. Update it with every release. Tools like headwayapp.co or built into your doc platform.

Question 14

How do I get feedback on documentation?

Accepted Answer

Add "Was this helpful?" buttons. Monitor support tickets for doc failures. Watch user sessions struggling with tasks. Create feedback channels. Act on what you learn.

Question 15

Should documentation be open source?

Accepted Answer

For developer products, often yes—enables community contributions and transparency. For general products, typically not necessary. Consider your audience and contribution willingness.

I need to create documentation for my product

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