• WordPress releases an update an average of every 2 months, typically to fix bugs and a variety of security issues. Updates also add new features and functionality that can improve the overall design and performance of your site. The main components that need to be updated regularly are the WordPress core, themes, plugins, and other software that powers your site so that everything continues to run smoothly.

  • Plugin Management - Plugins are independent pieces of software designed by various developers outside of WordPress. When WordPress releases updates to it’s core software, it’s the developer’s responsibility to keep their plugins up-to-date. This is why before even choosing to install a plugin, it’s important to research the plugin, read reviews and check the last updates performed. Once installed, it’s important to continue updating the plugin as developer’s make updates for compatibility with WordPress.

  • Software Conflicts - Although it is possible to perform the updates yourself, doing it properly is quite time consuming and risky. It’s important to have updates performed regularly by a professional developer who knows what they’re doing and can monitor and tackle any issues that may arise from the update. Software updates usually go smoothly, but occasionally they conflict with each other and can trigger malfunctions that can cause a poor experience for your visitors, or worse yet bring your site down entirely. 

  • Security Issues - Another reason why it’s important to have a professional perform consistent WordPress maintenance is to prevent possible security breaches. When updates are installed, there are changes to your files making your site vulnerable to hacker attacks. Any CMS (Content Management System) based website is vulnerable to hacker attacks. Keeping your WordPress website core, plugins and themes up-to-date will prevent your website from being vulnerable to malware infections and outside attacks.

  • Unfortunately, hackers don’t care about the size of your business. You might think you’re safe because you don’t have any sensible information on your website. “Oh I’m just a small guy, nobody has a reason to attack my website” This is one a very common misconception about website security and the need for maintenance. Too often, website owners put maintenance on the back-burner because they have a small website or don’t think anyone would have reason to steal information from their site. But, if  updates are ignored, you are a prime target for malicious attacks. For hackers, it’s not about stealing information, but hijacking your site to use its server as a hosting environment to send spam emails or attack other servers. Hackers often create bots to search for vulnerable sites. Once an access point is detected, the hacker’s make their way in and take control of the server.

  • The server is then used to send out spam to massive email lists. This will damage your site’s reputation with search engines and trigger them to block your IP address, rendering your site virtually non-existent in search results. Hacks can remain dormant for a long time, while the hacker infects other websites and builds an army of exploited servers.