Open Your Mind: How Non-Techies Can Contribute to the Open Web

Most “how to contribute to open source” guides assume you’re a developer. If you don’t know your way around GitHub, you’re often left on the sidelines. And that’s a huge miss, because the open web isn’t built only by people who code — it’s sustained by people who document, translate, organize, test, name, design, and support.

At DreamHost, we’ve always believed the open web works best when it’s open to everyone. It’s not just about owning your domain or your hosting. It’s about owning your digital presence by contributing your perspective, however you show up. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or content creator, the open web needs your skills every bit as much as your developer’s IDE.

What Is the Open Web — and Why Does It Rely on Non-Technical Contributions?

The open web is the part of the internet built on open standards and freedom of access. No single company controls it, and anyone can build on it. It’s powered by open-source projects, which are publicly available software initiatives maintained by communities rather than corporations.

But while developers write the code, non-coders keep the open web usable, translated, documented, and discoverable. Without them, the infrastructure we all depend on would quickly grind to a halt.

Here are just a few ways non-technical contributions keep the open web running smoothly:

• Documentation writers explain how tools work so users can install, troubleshoot, and extend them.
• Translators and localization teams make software accessible to global audiences.
• Designers and UX writers ensure that what’s built is intuitive and human-friendly.
• Community moderators maintain healthy, inclusive spaces where collaboration thrives.
• Marketers and educators spread awareness of new releases and best practices, helping projects grow.

In other words, the open web runs on communication, clarity, and community.

What Non-Technical Skills Do Open-Source Projects Need Most Right Now?

From editing documentation to coordinating releases, open-source projects depend on a wide range of non-technical skills to stay usable, accessible, and thriving. The behind-the-scenes contributions are what make open tools feel polished and professional. If you run a small business, you probably already practice many of these skills every day, from writing content to managing communities, keeping processes organized, and more.

Here are the most in-demand non-technical roles and how they contribute to the open web:

• Documentation and editing: Writers clarify installation steps, explain features, and keep wikis current. For example, WordPress’s Documentation Team maintains user handbooks that help millions of site owners navigate updates without touching code.
• Translation and localization: Translators in the Polyglots Team adapt software into hundreds of languages, ensuring accessibility for global users, just like a business expanding into new markets.
• UX writing and naming: Clear, consistent terminology keeps projects intuitive. In a Gutenberg discussion, contributors debated naming conventions to improve clarity across the editor interface.
• QA, testing, and triage: Testers reproduce bugs, verify fixes, and label issues so developers can focus on solving them — an approach used in projects like Kubernetes to streamline releases.
• Marketing and community engagement: From event promotion to newsletter writing, these contributors help projects grow awareness, much like small business owners market their own products.
• Release communications: Summarizing what’s new, why it matters, and how to update safely ensures users don’t get left behind. The CNCF uses this model for release blogs and conference recaps.

Non-technical contributors are an integral part of open-source models. They help turn great code into great products people actually understand and use.

Which Non-Technical Path Fits Your Skill Set?

Every skill you use to run your business — or build your career — can help you contribute to open source.

Whether you write, translate, test, or design, there’s a place to start small and grow into bigger community roles.

Your SkillTeam/AreaGrowth PathCopywriting or editingDocumentationDocs reviewer → Handbook editorTranslationPolyglotsLocale editor → Mentor for new translatorsQA or Operations SpecialistTesting/TriageTriage lead → Release communicationsUX writing or designDesign/DocsUX content reviewer → Contributor to design standardsMarketing or community managementMarketing/SupportCampaign coordinator → Community advocate

Choose the path that fits your existing strengths, and you’ll find it easier (and faster) to make an impact. Small, consistent contributions in your area of expertise can grow into meaningful influence within the projects you care about.

How Does This Tie Back to “Owning Your Digital Presence”?

Contributing to open source strengthens the very tools you depend on to run your website, store, or online community. When you give back, through writing, testing, or translation, you help ensure those platforms stay secure, well-documented, and freely available to everyone.

At DreamHost, we’ve always believed that owning your digital presence means shaping the open web itself. Our long-time support of WordPress and other open-source communities reflects that commitment.

When small business owners, marketers, and creators contribute their non-technical skills, they’re not just maintaining codebases. They’re protecting the openness, freedom, and collaboration that make the web worth owning. That’s what it means to truly build on the open web.

Where Do You Find Beginner-Friendly, Non-Code Tasks Across the Open Web?

You can start contributing to open-source projects without touching code by looking for beginner-friendly task boards, documentation backlogs, and translation portals.

Here are a few reliable entry points for non-technical contributors:

• Look for “Good First Issue” boards on GitHub repositories: These are curated lists of issues meant to help new contributors get comfortable with workflows and expectations.
• Look for documentation or translation portals that don’t require Git: For example, WordPress’s Polyglots translation platform runs entirely in the browser, and the Documentation Team uses collaborative wikis.
• Look for community-backed initiatives: Like the CNCF Contributor Portal, which highlights non-code roles such as release communications, event support, and mentorship.
• Look for triage and testing guides from larger ecosystems: Like Kubernetes that show how to confirm issues, reproduce bugs, or help label incoming reports with no code changes required.
• Look for community photo-sharing initiatives that support open resources: For example, you can contribute photos to the WordPress Photo Directory by donating your pictures for anyone to use for free. 

Start where you already understand the problem — translation, writing, or user experience — and you’ll find countless ways to help the open web thrive.

How Do You Grow From One-Off Help to a Trusted Contributor?

The fastest way to build trust in open-source communities is consistency. Most contributors move through a few natural stages, from quick, one-time helpers to steady collaborators and eventually mentors or team leads.

As projects like WordPress and Kubernetes show, the most valuable contributors are the ones who keep showing up and documenting what they learn.

Here’s what that progression often looks like:

You fix typos, translate a few strings, or answer a support question. The goal here is learning the project’s tone and workflow.

You take ownership of ongoing tasks, such as weekly triage or reviewing documentation updates.

You mentor others, lead small projects, or help coordinate releases.

Showing up consistently is the most powerful contribution. It signals reliability, builds reputation, and often leads to opportunities to shape strategy, manage teams, or improve contributor experience across the open web.

Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Technical Skills and the Open Web

Is documentation really a contribution?

Yes. Clear, up-to-date documentation is one of the most valuable ways to contribute to open source, because it helps users install, troubleshoot, and extend software without needing developer support. The Open Source Guides even list documentation as the first type of contribution most projects need.

Can I contribute without Git?

Absolutely. Many open-source projects offer “no Git” contribution paths, such as WordPress’s Polyglots translation portal or collaborative documentation platforms like the WordPress Docs Team. These let you translate text, edit pages, or report bugs directly through a browser.

Where do I find “Good First” tasks?

Look for issues tagged “Good First Issue” or “Help Wanted” in project repositories and contributor boards. The CNCF Contributor Portal is a great starting point for identifying safe, beginner-friendly tasks.

Does naming or UX writing count as a contribution?

Yes—words are UX. Projects like WordPress’s Gutenberg editor often host discussions about feature naming and interface terminology because clear language directly impacts usability. Suggesting consistent, plain-language terms is a high-impact way to improve open-source software.

How do I avoid stepping on toes when I’m new?

Start small, follow the project’s templates, and search before you post or propose changes. Most communities, including WordPress and CNCF, publish contribution guides outlining etiquette and feedback channels. When in doubt, ask questions respectfully — curiosity beats over confidence.