Bad documentation doesn't just frustrate developers. It costs you money. Every confusing paragraph is a support ticket. Every missing example is a delayed integration. Every broken code sample is a developer who gives up.
The Wall of Text
Dense paragraphs with no code examples, no visual breaks, and no clear hierarchy. Developers scan docs. They don't read novels.
Fix: Break content into scannable chunks. Lead with code examples. Use headers liberally. If you can't skim it in 30 seconds, rewrite it.
The Authentication Mystery
Your auth setup is buried three clicks deep, assumes prior knowledge, or doesn't show a complete working example.
Fix: Put authentication front and center. Show a complete request with auth headers. Explain the token format. Cover edge cases like expiration.
The Error Code Graveyard
Either no error documentation at all, or a table of codes with no context on what causes them or how to fix them.
Fix: Document every error code with: what triggers it, what the developer did wrong, and exactly how to fix it.
The Outdated SDK
Your SDK examples reference deprecated methods, old library versions, or patterns that haven't worked in years.
Fix: Audit your examples quarterly. Automate testing of code samples. Version your docs alongside your API.
The Copy-Paste Failure
Code examples that don't actually work when copied. Missing imports, undefined variables, or incomplete snippets.
Fix: Every code example should be copy-paste ready. Test them. Mark placeholders clearly. Include all necessary imports.
The Language Lottery
Examples only in one language, leaving developers using other stacks to figure it out themselves.
Fix: At minimum: curl, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python. For enterprise: add Go, Ruby, PHP, Java.
The Versioning Void
No clear indication of which API version the docs apply to, or what changed between versions.
Fix: Show the current version prominently. Maintain a changelog. Document breaking changes clearly.
The Dead End
Documentation that explains what an endpoint does but not why you'd use it or what to do next.
Fix: Create user journey-based guides. Link related endpoints. Always answer: what would the developer do next?
Every one of these anti-patterns is fixable. And fixing them doesn't require a complete rewrite. Often, focused improvements to your auth docs, error handling, and code examples can dramatically improve the developer experience.
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