WordPress regularly releases major updates with new features in the site editor, blocks and performance. For entrepreneurs and website managers, it’s important to know what such an update involves, what risks are involved, and how to update safely without your site going offline or breaking. This article explains what you can expect, why updating is important, and which concrete steps you should take before, during and after a WordPress update.
What a major WordPress update involves
Major WordPress updates usually revolve around improvements to the site editor, new or expanded blocks, better performance, and under-the-hood changes that form the basis for future features. Think of more extensive options for setting typography, colors and layout per block, improved navigation options, and smoother operation of the block editor itself. Minor bugs are also regularly fixed and compatibility with PHP versions is updated.
For theme builders and plugin developers, these updates often mean new APIs become available. For the average website manager, you’ll mainly notice improvements in speed, ease of use of the editor, and sometimes a slightly different look to the dashboard.
Why updating is important for your website
Updating isn’t just fun because of new features, it’s especially important for your website’s security. Outdated WordPress installations are a favorite target for automated attacks, because known vulnerabilities in older versions are easy to exploit. A hacked website costs time, customer trust, and can even lead to blocking by search engines or your hosting provider.
In addition, an up-to-date WordPress version ensures better performance and more stable operation in combination with modern PHP versions. Older WordPress installations on new server software more often run into compatibility issues, which manifests itself in error messages or a slow site.
Risks when updating and how to avoid them
The biggest risk when updating is that themes or plugins don’t work well with the new WordPress version. This can lead to a white page, error messages, or a broken layout. This risk can be reduced by not updating blindly, but first testing in a safe environment.
Also make sure all your plugins and your theme are up to date before you update WordPress itself. Outdated plugins are often the cause of problems after an update, not WordPress itself.
What you specifically need to update and check
Besides the WordPress core itself, there are a number of components you should check with every major update. This prevents surprises and ensures your site keeps running stably and securely.
Create a full backup
Back up both files and database before you start. With daily automatic backups like Tandata offers by default, you can always revert to a previous version if something goes wrong.
Check PHP version and server software
New WordPress versions sometimes require a more recent PHP version. Check this in your hosting environment and update the PHP version first if needed.
Update plugins and theme
First update all plugins and your theme to the latest version before updating WordPress itself, to prevent compatibility issues as much as possible.
Test in a staging environment
First perform the update on a copy of your site and check whether all functions, forms, and displays still work correctly.
Perform the live update and check
Update the live site at a quiet moment and immediately afterward check the most important pages, the contact form, and email functionality.
Don’t forget to also check your domain details and email settings after major changes to your website. A correctly configured domain name and reliable business email are just as important for the continuity of your business as the website itself. If you run into hosting limitations that make updates difficult, check out the options to switch to Tandata for a modern hosting environment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need to update to the latest WordPress version immediately?
Not necessarily immediately, but don’t wait too long either. Test the update first in a staging environment and then implement it on the live site within a reasonable time to limit security risks.
What do I do if my site breaks after an update?
Restore the last backup from before the update and find out which plugin or theme is causing the problem before trying to update again.
Do all plugins automatically work with a new WordPress version?
No, plugins need to be updated by the developer to remain compatible. Always check whether your plugins have been recently updated before updating WordPress.
Does a WordPress update affect my email or domain name?
Not directly, but if your site becomes unreachable due to a failed update, this can affect forms that run via email. Make sure your email settings are well documented separately from the website.
Where can I find help if an update goes wrong?
First check the knowledge base for step-by-step plans, or contact your hosting provider for help restoring a backup.
Conclusion
A major WordPress update brings new features and improvements, but requires a careful approach: create a backup, update plugins and theme, test in a staging environment, and only then update live. This way you benefit from the new possibilities without risking downtime. With reliable web hosting, daily backups, and 24/7 support, you can ensure a stress-free update.