WordPress powers over 40% of websites globally, making it the biggest player on the market (and for good reason). It’s cost effective, has a great content management system, and is highly customisable due to it’s vast library of themes and plug-ins.

However, due to it’s popularity, WordPress is a frequent and popular target for cyber attacks.

Fortunately, we have a simple solution to keep your site protected.

Keeping your WordPress site up-to-date is the golden ticket to robust security, high performance, and long-term success.

Here’s our 6 top tips to keep your website healthy:

1. Fixing bugs for a smooth experience

No software is perfect, and WordPress is no exception. Even the most well-built website can contain bugs, and these small glitches can disrupt functionality or annoy users. By regularly updating WordPress, you can resolve these bugs and improve the overall stability of your site.

2. Security patches to safeguard your site

Given its popularity, WordPress is often targeted by hackers who exploit outdated software and take advantage of vulnerabilities that have been patched in newer versions. Security updates serve as a critical defence mechanism by protecting your site from threats such as malware, data breaches, and unauthorised access. Critical security patches, in particular, should be applied as quickly as possible to minimise risk.

3. Functional enhancements to stay cutting edge

WordPress updates aren’t just about fixing what’s broken, they also improve current functionalities. Updates often include new features, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements that make your site more user-friendly and efficient. Keeping your CMS up to date ensures you’re making the most of the latest tools and remaining competitive in a constantly evolving digital world.

4. Testing updates on a staging site

While updates are essential, applying them directly to your live site can be risky. We recommend creating a staging site (which is a duplicate of your current website) to test changes before making the update on your real website. This step allows you to thoroughly test everything, from themes and plugins to custom functionalities and ensure that nothing breaks in the process. This is particularly important for websites with complex setups or extensive customisations.

5. The golden rule – always make a backup

Before making any changes, it’s imperative to take a complete backup of your website. A reliable backup acts as your safety net, allowing you to restore your site in case anything goes wrong during the update process. There are numerous plugins available for creating backups, or you can use your hosting provider’s backup tools. Store these backups securely and confirm their integrity to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

6. Set a routine every fortnight

To keep your site secure and running smoothly, updates should be performed regularly – ideally every two weeks. This proactive approach ensures that you’re promptly addressing routine updates and maintaining compatibility with plugins and themes. For critical security updates, don’t wait, apply them immediately to protect your site from potential threats.

Keeping WordPress up to date isn’t just best practice, it’s an essential aspect of website management. A little maintenance now can save you a significant amount of trouble later.

If you want peace of mind that your website us being taken care of, get in touch with our team. We have a range of affordable maintenance and hosting packages to suit your needs.