When our WordPress notifies us that there is a new update available we will probably think that it is best to install that update as soon as possible, so in general the answer to the question we asked at the beginning "Should I update my WordPress to the latest version available?" Would be, in principle, a resounding yes.
However, it is not as simple as it seems, and to make the right decision we must follow some steps prior to the much-loved (or dreaded) update.
In general, as many of you will be thinking, a WordPress update gives us improvements of all kinds: performance, security, functionalities, etc. So, the best option is, without a doubt, always have our website updated to the latest version. However, on some occasions, we may have problems updating and that is why we must have some precautions.
Let's start with the basics ... How do I update my WordPress?
In the management panel of WordPress, at the top, we can observe a message in which invites us to update to the new version that is available and which we can access with a simple click. Needless to say that before doing this action it is advisable to first check our current version in which is our content manager.
To do this, simply clicking on the WordPress logo in the upper left of the administration panel will have this information.
Once we have verified that the new update is compatible and that there is no problem, we can give "Update now" where WordPress itself will take care of the entire update. But ... Had not we commented that some precautions had to be taken into account before updating? Be very careful because the advice that we are going to expose later can save you from having the update make the web stop working.
What types of updates can we find?
There are several types of WordPress updates that we can easily differentiate and which we will have to take into account to act in one way or another:
1. That the update is a patch or a revision of our own version.
A clear example may be that the upgrade will cause our version to go from 4.6 to 4.6.1.
In this type of cases it is a small update that can occur because some aspect of the version that has just been implemented has been improved or that some error has been found to be corrected.
In this type of cases it is a small update that can occur because some aspect of the version that has just been implemented has been improved or that some error has been found to be corrected.
2. Let the update move to a new version.
It can be easily differentiated since it would change the second version number, that is, our wordpress could go from version 4.6 to 4.7. In these cases there are important changes in which you have to be extremely careful when updating.
3. That the update changes branch
This type of updates are the biggest and important in which WordPress comes to evolve enough and in which it is not recommendable to update until we are completely safe.
Like the previous ones can be recognized easily since what will vary will be the first number of the version, that is, for example of the 3.9 to 4.0.
And now ... What precautions should be followed?
In all the cases explained above, a series of "standard" factors and precautions to be taken into account in general must be followed, which can be summarized in the following steps:
1. First we have to check if our theme is compatible with the new version / patch or branch.
To do this, if the theme of our website belongs to the repository of WordPress we can check the date of the last update and compare it with the update date of the new version / patch or WordPress branch. If we still want to confirm this information and be more sure of our decision, we can also make the query in the official WordPress forum where they can solve all our doubts.
In the event that the theme of our site we have bought in some web page dedicated to the design and sale of specific themes for Wordpress, the author of the same will be the one that must indicate us the maximum version for which the subject is valid, already Which depends a lot on the plugins and modifications with which it has been designed.
On the other hand if the design of the template of our web has been made by a company specialized in development, it is best to make such consultation to the organization itself, since it is possible that they have developed Very specific aspects to be able to cover the requested need (as we could see in the post: Wordpress or a real web? Discover that is the High Impact ), which can lead to the update is incompatible until you work In the necessary adaptations.
2. Secondly we must verify the compatibility of the plugins installed on our website with the new update.
To do this, you should check all the plugins used one by one and check (as in the previous step) the "maximum version" in which they are compatible. This information can be easily consulted in the details of the plugin itself.
If the case happens that a plugin does not have as compatible "maximum version" the last update of WordPress, do not panic, since the author may not have updated this information. However, we can leave doubts again by making the query in the official wordpress forum, in the author's page, or in the comments of the plugin where users usually make appreciations that can be very useful.
My theme and my plugins are compatible but I'm afraid to update What can I do?
If you have notions in web development, it is best to download our website to the computer and start updating the site. If everything works correctly, it means that the update will not affect the functionality of the web at all, so we can fully update it in its "production" version without any danger.
If we do not have knowledge in web development, we must take into account some aspects previous to the update related to the hosting of our site.
If we do not have knowledge in web development, we must take into account some aspects previous to the update related to the hosting of our site.
As a general rule, hosting providers make backups of all websites that they host from time to time, so if your intention is to update your site, the best decision is to contact the staff in charge to indicate that they are Will perform an update of the web and make sure that they make a backup of it.
If this backup is done, it is time to update our site, because if by chance something failed to install the new update even though we have verified that everything was compatible, we can contact our hosting provider to That restore the web to the backup made, although that if, this can have an additional cost.
If, on the other hand, our hosting provider does not back up or restore web sites to a previous security copy, the best option is to contact a company specialized in web development to do the whole process in the safest way. With this last option we make sure to be totally calm that the process is going to be done correctly, always having an updated website.
If, on the other hand, our hosting provider does not back up or restore web sites to a previous security copy, the best option is to contact a company specialized in web development to do the whole process in the safest way. With this last option we make sure to be totally calm that the process is going to be done correctly, always having an updated website.
Does something happen if I decide not to update?
At first nothing bad happens. Everything depends on the update that we are talking about and whether it corrects a security breach or provides a new functionality.
Without this new function your web will work just as it was working until now, but, if the update brings with it the correction of some failure or contribution of security, without it our web can be affected by attacks to this or that the site Becomes unstable, which, to get us out of doubt, it never hurts to read and document what the new update brings and so make a decision or another.
By way of conclusion we can say that, in general terms, it is advisable to update WordPress as long as we take into account some previous security measures to ensure that everything works correctly once we update our site. On the other hand, if we want to be sure, the best option without doubt is that the process is carried out by a professional.
Do you have any doubt or suggestion? Then you can not leave without going through our comments section.
Do you have any doubt or suggestion? Then you can not leave without going through our comments section.
While WordPress is easy to use, you may want to ask a question or need some help every now and again. The good news is that there are plenty of free resources to help you with that. WPBeginner itself is the largest free WordPress resource site for beginners. See here to buy essays. Here are our resources that you can use to learn WordPress (all of them are completely free).
ReplyDeleteExcellent content ,Thanks for sharing this .,
ReplyDeleteLeanpitch provides online training in CSPO during this lockdown period everyone can use it wisely.
Join Leanpitch 2 Days CSPO Certification Workshop in different cities.
CSPO TRAINING ONLINE
CSPO ONLINE TRAINING
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a question regarding how and where to write an assignment, you can contact the assignment help urgent service, which has a wealth of data on the issue. So I informed them that I wished you were to go there considering that I'm well acquainted with the situation. you too much make the most of this service.