How to Build a Documentation Site with a CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
To build a documentation site with a CMS, choose between docs-as-code tools (Docusaurus, MkDocs) for developer-authored docs or a headless CMS (Sanity, Contentful) for teams with non-technical writers. Set up your content structure with versioning, categories, and cross-references. Add search (Algolia or built-in), navigation (sidebar with collapsible sections), and deploy to a static host. The best approach depends on who writes your docs and how often they change.
Key Takeaways
- Docs-as-code tools (Docusaurus, MkDocs) work best when developers are the primary authors
- Headless CMS platforms serve teams where technical writers and non-developers contribute
- Search quality is the most important feature—developers abandon docs with poor search
- Versioning support matters for products with multiple active versions
- Code block rendering with syntax highlighting and copy buttons is essential for technical docs