About 29% of the web is powered by WordPress.
That’s impressive.
Boasting some of the best features and ease-of-use in the market, it’s no wonder that so many people and businesses take advantage of the open-source software. However, what many people fail to understand is that WordPress is not a build it and forget solution. Let’s look at a few reasons why it’s important to regularly update to the latest WordPress version.
1. Updates Bring Improved Security
An outdated version of WordPress puts your site at potential risk of being targeted by hackers and malicious attacks. With every update, solutions are developed to strengthen the CMS ensuring that your site and data remain safe and secure.
2. Sites Run Faster with the Latest Version
Slow sites are often a death sentence in this day of speed rules. Having a slow-moving site could equate to impatient visitors moving on to faster, more responsive sites. The newer technology found in each update will run faster than the previous version.
3. A Simple Update Can Fix a Plugin Issue or Bug
As new technologies are introduced, support of outdated or older technologies is often sunset. Running an outdated version of may lead to old or unwanted elements remaining in your site’s Dashboard or even on the front-end. Some plugins may stop working altogether. To ensure that everything continues to work together, your website should be updated regularly – both your WordPress version and any integrated plugins your site uses.
4. The Newest Version of Includes New Features
It may sound simple, but with each update, you get the latest and greatest features that come along with the new technology. For example, on the latest rollout of WordPress 4.9, updates to a site’s design or content can now be scheduled. Prior to WordPress 4.9, developers or teams may have had to block out time to install updates to a live page.
Let us help
Regular WordPress updates are important website maintenance items.
If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your WordPress website, you may be reluctant to update on your own. That’s ok. Contact us and we will work with you to make sure everything runs smoothly during and after the updates are made.
And if you need a new or updated website, we can help with that as well.