What is GitHub? A Non-Techy Guide to Code Storage

If you're a first-time founder diving into the tech world, you've probably heard developers mention "GitHub" a lot. Don't worry – it's not as complicated as it sounds!

Think of GitHub Like a Google Drive for Code

You know how you store your documents, photos, and presentations in Google Drive? GitHub works the same way, but instead of storing regular files, it stores all the code that makes your app work.

Just like you can:

• Save different versions of a document
• Share files with your team
• See who made what changes
• Go back to an older version if something goes wrong

GitHub lets your developers do all of this with code!

Why Should You Care About GitHub?

As a founder, GitHub might seem like just another tech tool your developers use. But here's why it matters to you:

You Own Your Code Assets Your code is one of your most valuable business assets. GitHub is where it lives. Make sure you have access and control over your company's GitHub account – don't let a developer or contractor be the only one with access.

You Can See Progress Even if you can't read code, you can see when your team is making updates. Think of it like watching a construction site – you might not know how to build, but you can see if work is happening.

It Protects Your Investment If a developer leaves your team, your code stays safe in GitHub. It's like having a backup of everything they built for you.

Common GitHub Mistakes Founders Make

Mistake #1: Letting Someone Else Control Everything We've seen founders lose access to their own code because they didn't set up GitHub properly from the start. Always make sure your company owns the GitHub account.

Mistake #2: Not Understanding What's There You don't need to read code, but you should know what's stored in your GitHub. Ask your fractional CTO or lead developer to walk you through it.

Mistake #3: Giving Everyone Admin Access This is a big one! If everyone on your team has full admin access to GitHub, a rogue employee or contractor could delete everything without you knowing. Only give admin access to people you completely trust, and make sure you're one of them.

Questions to Ask Your Development Team

Here are some simple questions to make sure your GitHub setup is protecting your business:

• "Who owns our company's GitHub account?"
• "Can you show me what's stored there?"
• "What happens if you leave the company?"
• "How often do you back up our code?"
• "Can other team members access everything they need?"

Red Flags to Watch For

If your developer says things like:

• "Don't worry about GitHub, I'll handle it"
• "It's too technical for you to understand"
• "I keep everything on my personal account"

These are warning signs. Your code is your property, and you have every right to understand how it's being managed.

GitHub Alternatives Worth Knowing About

While GitHub is the most popular choice, there are other options your developers might suggest:

• GitLab - Similar to GitHub but with some extra features
• Bitbucket - Made by the same company that makes Jira (project management software)
• Azure DevOps - Microsoft's version, good if you use other Microsoft tools
• SourceForge - One of the older options, still around but less popular

Most developers prefer GitHub because it's easy to use and widely accepted. Unless your team has a specific reason to use something else, GitHub is usually the safe choice.

The Bottom Line

GitHub is basically a filing cabinet for your app's code. You might not need to organize the files themselves, but you should definitely know where the cabinet is and have the key to it.

Just like you wouldn't let someone else have complete control over your business bank account, don't let someone else have complete control over your code repository.

Need help setting up proper code management or want someone to review your current GitHub setup? Our Startup Tech Jumpstart Package can help you audit all your tech assets and make sure the right people have the right access. Reach out to us for all your software development and fractional CTO needs – we'll make sure your valuable code assets are properly protected and organized.