Git and Version Control: Why It Matters for Your Website

When you have a website built, you often hear about "Git" and "version control". In this guide, we explain what this means and why it matters for your project.

What is Version Control?

Version control is a system that tracks all changes in code. Compare it to "Track Changes" in Word, but much more powerful.

The Problem Without Version Control

Without version control, you often see this:

website_v1.zip
website_v2.zip
website_v2_final.zip
website_v2_final_REALLY_FINAL.zip
website_v2_final_REALLY_FINAL_2.zip

This leads to:

• Confusion about which version is current
• Loss of working code
• Difficulty collaborating
• No idea what changed when

The Solution: Git

Git automatically tracks:

• Which changes were made
• Who made the change
• When it happened
• Why it changed (via commit messages)

How Git Works

Repository (Repo)

A repository is the "container" for your project. It contains:

• All files of your website
• The complete history of changes
• Configuration and metadata

Commits

A commit is a "snapshot" of your code at a specific moment:

Commit: "Add contact form"
Date: January 15, 2025
Author: Developer
Changes:
  - New: contact.tsx
  - Modified: navigation.tsx

Branches

Branches are parallel versions of your code:

main (production)
├── feature/new-design
├── feature/contact-form
└── bugfix/menu-issue

Benefits:

• Work on features without affecting the live site
• Test changes in isolation
• Multiple developers can work in parallel

Merging

When a feature is ready, the branch is "merged" into main:

1. Feature developed in separate branch
2. Code review by team
3. Tests run automatically
4. Merge to main
5. Deploy to production

Why Git Matters for Your Website

1. Safety

Never lose work again:

• Every change is saved
• Restore to any previous version possible
• Backup of complete history

Example: Developer accidentally breaks the homepage. With one command, the previous working version is restored.

2. Collaboration

Multiple developers simultaneously:

• Each works in their own branch
• No conflicts from simultaneous work
• Code review before changes go live

3. Transparency

Complete audit trail:

• See exactly what changed when
• Understand why decisions were made
• Accountability for all changes

4. Professionalism

Industry standard:

• Every serious development team uses Git
• Required for modern development practices
• Integration with all tools and platforms

5. Deployment

Automated releases:

• Push to Git triggers automatic deployment
• Rollback possible if problems occur
• Staging environments for testing

GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket

These are platforms that provide Git hosting with extra features:

GitHub (most popular)

• Owned by Microsoft
• Largest community
• Excellent for open source
• GitHub Actions for automation

GitLab

• Self-hosting possible
• Built-in CI/CD
• Popular with enterprises
• All-in-one platform

Bitbucket

• Owned by Atlassian
• Integration with Jira
• Good for small teams
• Free private repos

Git Workflow in Practice

Standard Development Workflow

1. Developer creates feature branch

   git checkout -b feature/new-services-page
   

2. Changes are made

   • Write code
   • Test
   • Make commits with clear descriptions

3. Create Pull Request

   • Describe what changed
   • Link to ticket/task
   • Request review

4. Code Review

   • Colleague reviews the code
   • Feedback and suggestions
   • Approval or adjustments

5. Merge and Deploy

   • Code goes to main branch
   • Automatic deployment to staging
   • After approval to production

Hotfix Workflow

For urgent bug fixes:

1. Branch directly from production
2. Implement minimal fix
3. Expedited review
4. Deploy directly to production
5. Later merge to development branch

What to Ask Your Developer

At Project Start

• "Do you use Git for version control?"
• "On which platform is the code hosted?"
• "Do I have access to the repository?"

During Development

• "Can I see the commit history?"
• "What does your code review process look like?"
• "How are features tested before deployment?"

At Delivery

• "Do I get ownership of the repository?"
• "Is the complete history available?"
• "How can I give future developers access?"

Code Ownership

Why This Matters

You must own:

• The repository with all code
• The complete commit history
• All branches and versions

Red Flags

Watch out if an agency:

• Does not want to give Git access
• Only delivers code as ZIP
• Says version control is "not needed"

Transfer at End of Collaboration

Make sure you receive:

1. Full access to repository
2. Ownership transfer
3. Documentation of the setup
4. Deployment instructions

Git for Non-Developers

You Do Not Need to Learn Git

As a website owner, you do not need to use Git. But do understand:

• That your developer uses it
• That you have the right to the code
• That it ensures quality

When You Will See Git

You encounter Git when:

• Viewing project progress
• Approving changes (via GitHub/GitLab interface)
• Transfer to new developer

The GitHub Interface

GitHub offers a user-friendly web interface:

• View files without technical knowledge
• See change history
• Read commit descriptions
• View pull requests

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Git free? Yes, Git itself is free open-source software. Platforms like GitHub have free tiers for most projects.

What if my developer does not use Git? This is a red flag. Professional development without version control is risky. Ask why not and consider another party.

Can I put my existing website in Git? Yes, any codebase can go into Git. A developer can take the current state as a starting point.

How long is the history kept? Indefinitely, unless deliberately deleted. The complete history from the first commit remains available.

Is my code safe on GitHub? Private repositories are only accessible to authorized users. GitHub has enterprise-grade security.

Conclusion

Git and version control are fundamental to professional web development. As a client, you should:

1. Require that Git is used
2. Have access to the repository
3. Own all code
4. Understand that this protects you

A developer who does not use Git or does not want to give access is not a professional partner.

Questions about how we use Git and version control? Feel free to contact us.

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