Version control is a system that tracks and manages changes to code or files over time—like a digital history book for your website’s development. The most widely used version control system is Git.
If you’ve ever had to deal with multiple file versions like homepage-final-v2-revised-FINAL-FINAL.pdf, you already understand the problem version control solves. Now imagine that happening with hundreds of files and multiple developers making changes at once. That’s where Git steps in.
What Git actually does
Git allows developers to:
- Track every change made to the codebase
- See who changed what, when, and why
- Revert to a previous version if something breaks
- Work on new features without affecting the live site
- Collaborate safely across teams without overwriting each other’s work
It creates a repository (or “repo”)—a structured project folder that holds all the files and their full edit history. That means no more guesswork if something goes wrong.
Why business owners should care
Even if you don’t touch the code yourself, version control is a safety net for your website. It gives you:
- Transparency: You can see what your developer changed and when
- Accountability: Clear documentation of updates, fixes, and features
- Stability: If an update causes issues, it’s easy to roll back to a working version
- Faster development: Developers can work in parallel and merge their changes safely
In short: version control helps you avoid chaos and ensures your site stays reliable—even as it evolves.
How it works in a real project
Let’s say your developer is building a new feature on your site.
With Git, they can:
- Create a branch (a separate copy of the site code)
- Work on that feature in isolation
- Test and refine it without affecting anything live
- Once ready, merge it back into the main branch
If a bug appears, they can identify the exact change that introduced it, undo it, or patch it quickly—all without rebuilding anything from scratch.
This also makes collaboration safer and more efficient. Multiple developers can work on the same project without stepping on each other’s toes.
Tools often used with Git
- GitHub: A cloud-based platform where Git repositories are stored and shared
- GitLab or Bitbucket: Alternatives to GitHub with similar features
- VS Code: A popular code editor that integrates Git directly
- Deployment pipelines: Systems like DeployBot or Buddy that push Git-based changes live automatically
Version control vs. backups
Backups are snapshots of your entire website. Version control is more like a logbook of ongoing changes. They’re both important—but Git lets you pinpoint exactly what changed, not just restore the entire site blindly.
Bottom line
Version control with Git might be behind the scenes, but it plays a crucial role in keeping your website stable, secure, and professionally maintained. If you’re hiring a developer or agency, ask them how they manage version control. If they say “Git,” you’re in good hands.
