Website Protection
Why is it important to update your WordPress website
WordPress updates keep your website stable and secure, so it’s crucial to run them regularly.
Why you should update themes and plugins
WordPress is an open-source platform, so every core release goes through the hands of many developers. It means that a lot of people get to review the code and spot bugs or security vulnerabilities early on. On the contrary, a single developer or a group of developers work on themes and plugins. Which means there is a bigger chance that some tiny little thing was overlooked and can potentially create a security threat.
And because updates often include fixes to security issues, you should make sure to keep your plugins and themes as well as the WordPress core up-to-date.
Do I need to update right away?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is: it depends on the type of release. The most crucial for safety are patch releases, as they often contain fixes to security issues. If you don’t update right away, then you use software with known security vulnerabilities. It means that your site could be hacked, as bots often target sites running on older versions.
WordPress plugin version number
In short, the numbers tell you if it’s a major, minor, or a patch release. Here are the differences between them.
Major releases indicated by a change in the first digit (e.g., 3.0.0, 4.0.0) Include new features and changes that are often backward incompatible. It means that older components might break when you upgrade. That’s why you should test these updates on a staging version of your site before going live.
Minor releases indicated by a change in the second digit (e.g., 3.1.0, 3.2.0) Include smaller features and improvements. They are backward compatible, which means that they shouldn’t break your website.
Patch releases indicated by a change in the third digit (e.g. 3.1.2., 3.1.3) Include bug fixes and security improvements. Even though they are the smallest updates, you should upgrade to them as soon as possible as they keep your site stable and secure. You can set these updates to be run automatically as they don’t have an impact on other components of your website and won’t break anything.
Manage WordPress updates efficiently – A few tips for updating your WordPress website.
Test major updates on the staging environment
As major updates don’t ensure backward compatibility, they can potentially break your website, especially if you greatly customize it.
That’s why we recommend that you first test a major update on a staging version of your website. That way, you can check if everything works as it should before going live.
Always have backup
It’s important to back up both your WordPress files and the database not only because of updates. Doing regular backup means that no matter what happens, you can always quickly restore a working version of your site. Here’s a list of plugins that can help you manage automatic backup.
What Is The Risk Of Using An Outdated WordPress Version?
If you are using an outdated version of WordPress, your website is at risk of being hacked. Hackers know about all the vulnerabilities in older versions of WordPress and they can exploit them to take over your site. In addition, outdated versions of WordPress may not be compatible with the latest plugins and themes, so you may not be able to use all the features of your website.
Why Is It Important To Keep WordPress Up To Date?
Keeping your WordPress site up to date is important because it ensures that you are using the latest security patches and that your site is compatible with the latest plugins and themes. In addition, keeping your WordPress installation up to date can help improve your website’s performance and stability.
How Often Should I Update My WordPress Site?
You should update your WordPress site as often as possible. The more frequently you update your WordPress installation, the less likely it is that your site will be hacked. However, don’t forget that updates can sometimes introduce new bugs, so always test them on a development site before updating your live website.
Conclusion
So, how do you keep your WordPress site up to date? One way is to hire a managed WordPress service and hosting provider like Webkat Design,llc. We are experts in keeping WordPress sites up-to-date and secure. We also offer a wide range of other services, such as malware removal and website optimization, that can help you take your WordPress site to the next level. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, please get in touch with us today. We would be happy to discuss how we can help you improve your website’s security and performance. Call (770) 367-8157 or just subscribe below now.
We will keep your site up to date with all the latest versions of the WordPress framework, templates, and plugins plus we will do monthly backups and store the last two versions in our cloud storage. We provide peace of mind for website owners just like you.
WKD Update 365 Maintenance Package
Webkat Design will set up and maintain the following services for your website.
• Update your WordPress platform series as-needed monthly
• Update your WordPress 3rd Party Plugins as-needed monthly
• Update your WordPress Theme as-needed monthly
• Backup your site – monthly + with every update