Product Docs That Don’t Suck: A Documentation Survival Guide

kimgullion
4 days ago
2 min read

Using Writer Resource, create Product Documentation that doesn't suck

If your product could talk, it would probably say, “Please don’t leave me in the hands of a generic PDF.” And we agree.

Product documentation is more than just a list of features and instructions. It's a conversation with your customer. It’s your product’s letter to the people using it—guiding them, cheering them on, and making them feel smart (even when they forgot how to reset the thing again).

Exceptional product documentation is one of your strongest brand assets. It builds trust, reduces support tickets, increases adoption, and, let’s be honest—saves your team from having to answer the same question time and time again.

So, what separates "just okay" docs from the kind people bookmark, share, and use? Let’s discuss...

💡 What Is Product Documentation, Really?

Think of product documentation as a GPS for your customers. It helps them navigate your product’s features, avoid roadblocks, and reach their desired outcomes with confidence.

Great product documentation is:

Clear – It answers the question before the user even asks it.
Concise – It respects the user’s time (and sanity).
Useful – It offers just enough detail to solve a problem without becoming a novel.

From quick-start guides to troubleshooting flows, FAQs to API guides, documentation touches every part of the user experience.

The Real Cost

of Bad Documentation

Here’s a truth bomb💣: if your documentation is confusing, incomplete, or outdated—it could be costing you real money.

Poor documentation can lead to:

Frustrated customers (who might leave a bad review… or just leave altogether)
More support tickets (and overwhelmed help desks)
Slower product adoption
Lost sales (especially when buyers can’t understand your value quickly)

In other words: messy docs = missed opportunities.

What Great Product Documentation Looks Like

The best documentation is like your favorite barista: helpful, friendly, and fast.

Here’s what it includes:

User Guides: Step-by-step instructions written in plain, human language.
FAQs & Troubleshooting: Anticipates common pain points and solves them on the spot.
Release Notes: Updates users on what’s new (and why it matters).
Visuals & Diagrams: Because sometimes a screenshot is worth a thousand words.
Search Functionality: So users can find exactly what they need, instantly.

And don’t forget: product documentation isn’t just for the end user—it helps internal teams, partners, and even future developers get up to speed.

Who Writes This Stuff?

Well, hopefully not Dave from engineering in between bug fixes. (Sorry, Dave, but you are far too busy!)

Product documentation needs a specialist: someone who can translate tech speak into real human talk. That’s where we come in.

At Writer Resource, we build documentation teams that get your product—and your audience. Whether it’s software, hardware, or anything in between, we write like humans for humans.

Ready to Make Your Product Shine?

If your current documentation isn’t living up to your product’s potential, we’d love to help.

From audits and updates to full-blown documentation strategies, our expert writers are ready to roll up their sleeves and tell your product’s story the right way.

Because your product deserves more than words on paper—it deserves a voice.