Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins

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Update your WordPress, Themes, and Plugins (tip 167)

Why Updating WordPress, Themes, and Plugins is as Important as Updating Your Wardrobe

Let's set the scene. You’ve spent hours crafting a beautiful WordPress site, selecting the perfect theme, and meticulously curating plugins that make your website both functional and fabulous. You think, “Why bother with all these updates? My site looks great!” But much like refusing to replace those old sneakers with holes in the soles, avoiding updates can come back to haunt you. So here’s why keeping your WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date is critical—and a lot less painful than accidentally discovering you missed yet another security update.

1. Avoid the Dreaded "White Screen of Death"

  • Example Scenario: Imagine going to check your blog, only to be greeted by a blank, lifeless screen staring back at you like a bad first date. This is the White Screen of Death, and it's often caused by outdated code or compatibility issues between WordPress, themes, and plugins.
  • Moral of the Story: Regular updates are the magic potion that keeps your website alive and well. Outdated code is like putting expired milk in your coffee—nothing good will come of it.

2. Security > Hackers Love Outdated Websites

  • Example Scenario: You wake up, open your laptop, and see that your site now offers free sunglasses (and malware) courtesy of some cyber criminal who slipped in through your outdated plugin.
  • Moral of the Story: Outdated software is like a neon "WELCOME" mat for hackers. Each update usually comes with new security patches, so by not updating, you're pretty much saying, "Come on in, internet strangers! Make yourself at home!"

3. Compatibility Issues > Old Meets New

  • Example Scenario: Let’s say you ignore WordPress updates for a year, and suddenly your site doesn’t render properly on mobile. Now, your visitors can either zoom in on your ancient site, or they can leave—usually, they leave.
  • Moral of the Story: WordPress is continuously evolving to stay compatible with new browsers, devices, and tech standards. Ignoring updates is like trying to run a high-end app on a Nokia 3310. It just doesn’t work.

4. Missing Out on New Features

  • Example Scenario: WordPress finally releases a feature that would make managing your site 10 times easier, but you’ll never know, because you’re still on version 4.9, living in denial.
  • Moral of the Story: Updates aren’t just bug fixes and security patches; they often come with new features that improve usability, functionality, and overall pizzazz. By updating, you can take advantage of these without any heavy lifting.

5. Performance Boosts > Don’t Be Slow

  • Example Scenario: Your website takes a whole 10 seconds to load, and by the time it does, your audience has lost interest and gone to watch cat videos instead. And, let’s face it, cat videos win every time.
  • Moral of the Story: Many updates include performance enhancements that make your site faster. Faster websites lead to happier visitors, which leads to better SEO rankings, which leads to more visitors, which leads to… you get the idea.

6. Fix Those Bugs > The Gremlins in Your Code

  • Example Scenario: Your WordPress contact form plugin suddenly won’t load correctly, but since you’re on version 1.1 (when the latest version is 4.3), you don’t know about the bug fix that’s been out for two years.
  • Moral of the Story: Bugs are an inevitable part of any software, and updates often come with essential fixes. By updating, you’re ensuring a smoother, less glitchy experience for everyone.

7. SEO Benefits > Stay Relevant, Stay Visible

  • Example Scenario: You wonder why your competitor’s website keeps outranking yours, even though your content is amazing. Could it be because they actually updated their site in this decade?
  • Moral of the Story: Search engines love fresh, updated sites, and you can bet they penalize those that fall behind the times. Ignoring updates is like yelling “I GIVE UP” to the SEO gods.

8. Support for Modern Development Standards

  • Example Scenario: Your developers are pulling their hair out trying to make custom code work with your ancient WordPress version. Modern standards evolve, but your site? Not so much.
  • Moral of the Story: Regular updates keep your site compatible with best coding practices and current tech, so your developers are happier, and so is your site.

9. Better User Experience

  • Example Scenario: Your WordPress site loads, but everything looks slightly off on newer screens and browsers because your theme hasn’t been updated in years.
  • Moral of the Story: Themes and plugins get periodic refreshes to keep up with UX standards. If you don’t update, your site could be causing user frustration, and that translates to fewer return visits.

10. Future-Proofing > Don’t Be Left Behind

  • Example Scenario: The latest WordPress update no longer supports your 2012 theme, leaving you with a broken layout and a lot of sad emoji reactions.
  • Moral of the Story: Technology moves fast, and WordPress keeps up. To stay compatible with future updates, you need to update regularly to avoid painful, costly surprises.

Final Thoughts

Updates Aren't the Enemy

The truth is, WordPress updates are a lot like maintenance for your car. They may seem like an inconvenience, but in the end, they’re what keeps everything running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. And with a little humor, they might even be enjoyable—or at least as fun as scheduling your next oil change.

A playful illustration of a WordPress website character being updated, surrounded by gears, tools, and icons representing themes and plugins, all smiling as they get upgrades. It highlights the improvements in security, performance, and compatibility, making the update process look fun and engaging!

Thanks for likes, comments and shares!

Make sure to follow up on updates and upgrades!

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Recent Comments

45

You didn't have to shove me into the spotlight like that, Fleeky.

Might as well name Tip 167 after me. lol!

I totally get it and I will get the block editor plugin.

The problem is which one of the Gutenberg to choose. There are many available.

Thank you for trying to keep be safe.

Maxine :)

Lol

Uh.... better ask question for all to,see... it might benefit others who want to switch from classick editor to block editor

https://clickwp.com/p/wordpress-switch-classic-block-editor/

I see the capability to switch from block editor to classic and vice versa.

Thank you!

Good luck... you are awesome! Take it ONE step at the time. And when ok, go to the next 🦾🚀

Yes, step by step!

It certainly pays to keep everything updated on our sites my Fleeky friend!

Appreciate the added info as well! :-)

Good evening!
Thank you Jessie
❤️😃

Most welcome my dear friend!

👍🤗

Was your monday better?

Monday and the entire week has been great so far!

The wife and her sister made it to Istanbul safely... the problem is, they will back tomorrow!!

Myself and my pup have had a nice relaxing time though!!

Hope all is well with you my dear friend??

👍🤗

Oh good!

As for me... still recovering from surgeries... takes time and a lot of rest as well. Bit all ok, nothing to worry... 🤗

Just get your rest in, recover well and all will be good my friend!

🙏🤗👍

Yes, thanks 😀🥂

👍🤗🙏

Agreed and that is why I have my site and plug ins set to auto-update

Do you have to update manually?

No! As long as you set it to auto update

Am asking
Is set on but... Does not work for me
Have to update manually ALL my websites

How about your plug ins?

Idem ditto

Something is wrong. I am pretty sure mine auto update

Did you check lately?

just checked. So for my original site it was updated automatically but prompted me to click a button to update the database.

On my other more newer sites I had to manually click to update.

In regards to plug ins: all my plug ins are on the latest versions and set to auto update so I assume they are auto updating.

Now sure why wordpress is not auto updating on the newer sites

I think it is a bad rule in code...

It used to be ok
Not any more
🥲

maybe wordpress will fix this.

Thankfully, I have never experienced the "white screen of death" and I hope I never will

MAke sure to clear cache and refresh your site as well... and if necessary your browser 🤪

It seldom happens... no worries
And wa has a solid backup in case
🦾🏆

@Fleeky, Thank you very much for opening my eyes.

Yes... make sure to follow up, it can blow your site

Sure. Thanks once again.

I appreciate the insights on this, Fleeky, and for helping me to open my eyes up to the concept of updating frequently. As the saying goes, "you need to update in order to keep things going smoothly or it backfires."

Myra ♥️

Yes... and make sure,to clear cache and refresh site as well... and check next day if all is still ok
❤️🦾

Definitely! 😁

Thanks for the reminder, Fleeky!

Sometimes, hitting that update button gives a moment of anguish, hoping that a plugin update does not create a problem with other active plugins and WordPress.

So true... fortunately we have site support to help us out...
😀👍

Yes, indeed. It does not happen often, but I console myself, knowing that I have that support if I break my website. 😂

Yes... and quick solution 🏆

Just manually updated and checkec all my sites .' Took me 2 days... 😅😝 There must be a better way for all...

My take:
Prevents website crashes ("White Screen of Death")
Fixes existing bugs
Improves user experience --> More footpath --> More traffic --> Conversions --> ROI
Abie

Yep... and automate all to prevent it (especially if you have more than one site) 😜

Yeup, Yep, and Yup! :)
Thanks.
Abie

😅😂🤣

You are welcome.
Abie 🤣

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