Key Points
- WordPress updates fix bugs, improve performance, and close security holes.
- Skipping updates can leave your site vulnerable to hackers or broken features.
- Automatic updates are fine for many small/simple sites—but they can sometimes break things.
- Always back up your site before running updates.
- Best order: update plugins (one at a time), then your theme, then WordPress itself.
- Check your site after each update to catch problems early.
- Treat updates like routine maintenance—quick, simple, and essential.
Why WordPress Update Best Practices Matter
WordPress update best practices are a lot like regular car maintenance. Skip oil changes, and eventually you’ll be stranded on the side of the road. Ignore updates, and you may find yourself locked out of your own site—or worse, dealing with hackers.
The good news: updates are simple, and with a little routine care you can keep your site running smoothly and securely.
Why Updates Are Important
Websites run on software. Software is never “done”—bugs get fixed, new features get added, and security holes get patched. Updates make all of this possible.
If you let things slide, here’s what can happen:
- Security risks. WordPress powers more than a third of the web, which makes it a favorite target for hackers. Out-of-date plugins or themes are like unlocked windows in your house—an easy way in.
- Broken features. Maybe your contact form stops working, or your gallery plugin refuses to load. Updates often fix these issues before they become headaches.
- Compatibility problems. WordPress, plugins, themes, and your hosting environment all have to play nicely together. If one piece is out of date, the rest may not work right.
- Missed improvements. Updates often make your site faster, cleaner, and easier for visitors to use. Why miss out?
The Role of Automatic Updates
For many small, simple WordPress sites, automatic updates can be a lifesaver. If your site doesn’t use complex plugins or custom code, turning on auto-updates means your site stays patched without you lifting a finger.
But—there’s a catch. Automatic updates can sometimes break things. For example:
- A theme update might not get along with a plugin you’re using, leaving parts of your site looking scrambled.
- A plugin update could conflict with another plugin, suddenly making your forms or shopping cart stop working.
It’s the website equivalent of having a mechanic show up at night to “fix” your car—most of the time it’s fine, but occasionally you wake up to find the brakes don’t work.
That’s why even if you rely on auto-updates, it’s wise to review each update first and decide whether to run it right away or hold off. Major updates especially can be buggy at first and sometimes cause conflicts—so giving them a little time to ‘settle in’ before you install can reduce the risk of something breaking on your site.
How to Safely Update WordPress
Updating itself isn’t complicated. The key is to do it in the right order, with a backup in place.
- Back up first. Always have a current full backup before you touch updates. That way if something breaks, you can roll back quickly.
- Check your Dashboard. Log into WordPress and click the “Updates” tab to see what’s waiting.
- Update plugins first—one at a time. This way if something breaks, you’ll know exactly which plugin caused it.
- Update your theme. Again, one at a time if you use child or parent themes.
- Update WordPress itself. Run the core update last.
After each update, take a quick look at your site. Click through your homepage, contact form, and a few key pages to make sure everything still works.
How Often Should You Update?
The short answer: as soon as updates are available. Hackers don’t wait, so neither should you.
If you’re using automatic updates, this happens in the background—but you should still peek in at least once a week. If you’re updating manually, a weekly check-in is a good habit.
Final Word
WordPress updates are one of the simplest, most effective ways to keep your site safe and running smoothly. Think of it as routine maintenance—like changing the oil in your car or locking your front door at night.
Do them regularly, and you’ll avoid most of the big headaches that knock small business websites offline.
