We all know most of the sites these days rely on WordPress for several causes, like making the process easy to manage, and better direction of the website. But according to the collected data of 2019, around 50% of top websites are not operating the latest WordPress version..
If you do not manage the sites with the latest or updated version, you may face several issues, like:
• Website failure
• Security concerns
For any business, these two factors are the building structure, and if one fails to manage this, then the whole company or even personal blogging may get ruin. Having an updated version is imperative because it considers many things, such as fixing bugs and other relevant issues. If you operate the new one, then it reduces the chances that your website gets hacked.
Read: 7 Step Monthly WordPress Maintenance Guide
No matter what is the purpose of the website, one should go with the updated version. Now, the question arises, “How you can update successfully and securely.
We have covered some ways to help you, but first, look at the methods to do it.
Methods to Update WordPress
There are TWO ways that you can use to convert the latest version. Now, let’s have a look at them.
#Use the Dashboard of WordPress
If you are looking for the most accessible form of an update, then here it is. In this, you have to first login to your site and relevant account to WordPress. Now, you have to go to the dashboard, and for those who don’t know what it is, it is an option where you can see the different things, like a visitor and demographic data.
Once you open this, you can see the page, and at the topmost part, there will be the pop-up notification. Here, you have to do press on that, and the whole process of update is required. Though, in many because of bug, there cannot be any such option display. For this, you can read the remaining two methods.
#Update with FTP
In this technique, you must have an account with FTP. If you do not have one, then you can easily create it. With this, you can bring updates and use the latest version. Though, here you have to do a couple of things, like:
• Connection with the WordPress
• Upload all the latest version
These are two things that you may have to provide.
You can now see how easy it is to bring the latest version, but the safe part is still pending. So, there are a few things that you can do an update without harming your site’s data.
#Automate update
According to the web host, you can update WordPress. All you have to turn on is update notification, and whenever there is any update, it will automatically update the WordPress. Still, the thing that you have to take care of is that not all updates occur directly.
As you can read that you based on the web host and the WordPress updater, the update process will run. If it varies and you cannot find the updates, you can go with the method mentioned above.
But, here, if you find it, then nothing is better than this. You do not have to look for it. It will make the process of update easy and less hectic.
Few Things To Remember Before Update
Certain things are easy to direct, but if you are non-techy, then you must go with the experts. You can hire one, and if you find it hard to bear the cost, then short borrowing options from an authentic direct lender, like Target Loans. They may offer you the quick money, but do not overlook this part because a single mistake can cause you in the form of losing data. It has been seen in many personal bloggers that they know everything, but they do not consider the updates important, especially if they are beginners.
Though initially, it will not provide any problem when time goes, you are inviting more threats. The more you delay, the more the issues get complicated, and you may lose essential information or even reset to clear them off. First, take the safety concern and make sure it is your priority when it comes to blogging and managing sites.
• Back up all data
The first step that you have to take is backing up. In this, you have to save your current data to avoid any loss. However, there are multiple options present on the site, so do not forget to do it. Here, you have to remember that backing up the data does not mean that after the update, your site loses the data.
The purpose of backing up is for security issues. For example, suppose that because of some bug that may hinder the update process, you may lose the current information. So, to avoid such cases, make sure you backed up.
• Consider themes and plugins too
Themes and plugins may change with the update, but it is the process. With the update, you can expect the latest one and some new plugins to help you do work in a much efficient way. Do not stop the update, once it initiates, let themes and plugins to update.
Considering the themes and plugins is that if they are obsolete, it may affect the process. To make the site smooth in terms of running and loading content. As you are part of the web site managing team, then you must be aware of the part that the fast loading sites are those site which user prefer to visit.
If the loading time is high and takes more than a minute, it may increase the bounce rate. Now, you can see how stopping a small update can cause severe issues to your site. If you consider the importance of plugins, then without them, you cannot effectively manage the site. The update can bring more new plugins that can change the process of managing the sites.
• Make sure to turn off the caching
Caching is a vital part of WordPress that ensures that your website works fast and loads content in a much better way. But in this process, you have to off the caching, and make sure it turns on after the process gets completed.
In case you don’t even ON the caching, then you should know it. Still, such a problem occurs with those who are new to WordPress. If you are new, then first turn ON it, because without it, you cannot expect the website to work way inefficiently. Issues such as loading content and make the update easily only those which are minor.
For the major one, you may have to turn it off. Then as per, we have discussed turning it ON. If you forget then, you can experience small constraints during website handling.
• Turn the backup ON after completing the process
In many cases, the owner forgets to turn on the back-up and lose their vital data. To avoid such a scenario, always turn on the back-up process. The update can introduce in a certain period, and it may happen that one time you forget to turn on.
It would be much better if you left the back –up ON, and the data will automatically save. In case you don’t want to keep unnecessary data back-up because many things can be overlooked. You can schedule a time and remember to update it after removing the data that you won’t. Though it may consume time to check which is essential or not, it entirely relies on you.
In other scenarios, you can go with the direct back-up, even this feature is compatible with all devices, including mobile. You can easily manage the things through the mobile and track the updates. It is much better and easy to use.
These are the four small things but play a decisive role in the WordPress update. You may fail to update them, but you do not have to anxious. We have discussed above, follow the process and choose any one of the methods that suit you. First, try to go with the easiest one so that you can get the update fast.
So direct them according to the way we have mentioned above, and you may not need any other assistance. But if you face any technical issues, then never hesitate to approach experts. It would be a much better choice to affect the sites and lose crucial data.