If you visit your WordPress dashboard often to update content, you’ll see a notification to update WordPress to the latest version.
Many do not take the initiative to do this. They fear losing their content or breaking their sites.
Why update WordPress to the latest version when the current version works fine?
Well, there are some valid reasons you may not be aware of.
Top of the list is better security and performance.
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Enhanced Security
WordPress is open source. This makes it easy prey for hackers.
Hackers can easily study the source code and exploit any bugs or security loopholes.
For that reason, WordPress regularly provides updates to plug any security shortcomings.
You should take the opportunity to update to the latest WordPress version. Also, ensure you have your themes and plugins updated as well.
Fear of Updating WordPress
Do you fear updating WordPress to the latest version for fear of breaking up your site or losing content?
If so, rest your fears. There are ways to prevent these unwanted scenarios.
You should always back up your site before undertaking a WordPress update.
You may also want to try the WordPress update on a staging site first. When everything goes well there, update WordPress on your live site.
The risk of breaking up your site is nothing compared to the risk of exposing your site to security attacks.
Get New Features
Updating your WordPress blog to the latest version allows you to enjoy the latest, cool features.
These improvements, more often than, provide an enhanced blogging experience.
Enjoy Better Site Performance
Does your WordPress blog load slowly.? Then an update would most likely improve your site speed.
A fast-loading site will provide a better user experience. This would lead to visitors staying longer apart from encouraging frequent visits.
Studies have shown that an older version of WordPress doesn’t perform as well as a newer version in terms of speed.
So, if you want your site to be quick and responsive, update to the latest WordPress version.
Bug Fixing
Newer WordPress versions are stringently tested before they are released for public use.
However, sometimes bugs aren’t detected during the testing stage. If such a thing happens, WordPress will roll out an update that fixes the issue.
To ensure that your WordPress blog remains bug-free, you should update to the latest version when it becomes available.
How to Update WordPress to the Latest Version
Manual Updates
When an update becomes available there will be a notification on your WordPress dashboard as shown below.
All you have to do is hit the Please update now.
Automatic Updates
WordPress updates automatically after version 3.7. Unless you’ve disabled automatic updates, your WordPress blog should update automatically.
To check whether your WordPress has been automatically updated, click on Updates on your Dashboard.
You can then confirm whether WordPress is running the latestversion.
Update WordPress with a Plugin
An easy way to update your WordPress is through a plugin. A number of plugins are available for the purpose.
Among them are Easy Updates Manager, WP Updates Settings, and Advanced Automatic Updates.
You can search for these plugins through Add New under the Plugin section on your WordPress dashboard.
Use the Search Plugins box as shown below:
Using these plugins will ensure your WordPress blog is updated to the latest version.
Never Miss a WordPress Update
By now you would have learned the benefits of updating WordPress to the latest version.
You want a fast-loading WordPress blog with optimal performance to rank highly in the search engines.
If you’ve not updated your WordPress blog yet, go ahead and do it now.
