Do I need to update my WordPress website regularly?

WordPress is a content management system which allows you to self-manage content on your website, ranging from images to text, to creating new pages and blog posts etc.

he nature of the software is when WordPress is releasing new functionality or is upgrading the capability of their software it will then require you to update WordPress to the latest version, so that the new or added features are available to your website.

With any form of software, security vulnerabilities may be discovered periodically, WordPress and other plugin developers are constantly finding and resolving security issues and they then release a patch or update to fix the issue. If you don’t regularly update your WordPress versions, you may be missing out on these important security patches, leaving your website exposed to hackers, code injections and other forms of malware.

Here are our top 5 reasons why keeping your WordPress site up to date is important…

1. Security Fortification

Keeping your WordPress site updated is paramount for enhancing its security. Developers continually release updates to patch vulnerabilities and address security loopholes that hackers may exploit. Failure to install these updates can leave your site susceptible to cyber threats, including malware infections, data breaches, and hacking attempts. By staying on top of your updates, you bolster your site’s defences and minimise the risk of potential security breaches.

2. Bug Fixes and Performance Optimisation

Updates not only address security concerns but also resolve bugs and glitches that may affect your site’s functionality and user experience. Whether it’s fixing broken links, resolving compatibility issues with plugins or themes, or improving your site’s overall performance, updates play a vital role in ensuring the safety of your site. By staying on top of your WordPress updates, you’re safeguarding your site to function seamlessly.

3. Compatibility with Latest Technologies

Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the tools and platforms used to build and maintain websites. Regular updates ensure that your WordPress site remains compatible with the latest web technologies, browsers, and devices. This is particularly important in an era where mobile responsiveness and cross-browser compatibility are integral to user satisfaction and search engine rankings. By updating your site, you ensure that it remains accessible and functional across various platforms and devices.

4. SEO Benefits

Search engines favour websites that are frequently updated with fresh content and adhere to current standards. Regularly updating your WordPress site not only signals to search engines that your site is active and relevant but also provides opportunities to optimise its SEO performance. Whether it’s adding new content, optimising meta tags, or implementing structured data markup, updates can contribute to improved search engine visibility and rankings.

5. Enhanced Features and Functionality

WordPress updates often introduce new features, enhancements, and performance optimisations that can enrich your site’s functionality and user experience. From improved editor interfaces to new customisation options and integrations, staying current with updates allows you to leverage the latest tools and capabilities offered by the WordPress platform. By performing these updates, you can keep your site dynamic, engaging, and aligned with evolving user expectations.

Making sure you update WordPress on your website on a regular basis is important for the overall health and performance of your website, and a preventative maintenance routine can safeguard your website from common or known security threats. No website is completely safe from being hacked, but by keeping your website up to date it is reducing the risk of an issue taking place.

If you are planning to update WordPress yourself, there are a couple of considerations you should make beforehand.

1. Always backup your website before performing updates. If anything breaks you will be able to recover from the backup.
2. Ideally create a development site or a copy of your website, you can then test the updates on the copy to see if there are any issues and only then perform the updates on your main site.
3. After you have completed the WordPress updates it is a good idea to test the site to make sure it is running properly and even test the contact forms to ensure that you are still receiving mail.

If you aren’t confident backing up your website and performing these updates, you might want to consider engaging a WordPress Expert like us to perform that work for you.

For more information on how we can help you manage your WordPress site, call us on 1300 978 073 or contact us for a complimentary consultation.