The Importance of Plugin Updates and Website Maintenance: Keep Your Website Healthy

What are plugins?

Short for "plug-in software" or "add-on," a plugin is a piece of code or software module that adds specific functionalities to an existing software or application. 

Think of it this way: your website can do more than just show information. It can make your content look better, sell products or collect inquiries online. When it comes to taking care of your website, you can’t ignore plugins. If your website uses WordPress, you probably use extra tools to make it do all sorts of useful things.

Why do plugin updates matter?

Plugin updates serve as a robust shield against potential security breaches, making your website stronger and keeping user info and payment details safe. They also breathe new life into your website's performance.

As the digital landscape continually evolves, these updates optimise your website, making it faster, more efficient, and more responsive. These tools help your website load faster, use less resources, and make the code better. This makes your site more user-friendly and can even improve its ranking on search engines.

Plugins don't work alone, they need to work well with other web technologies. When plugins get updated, it helps them stay friendly with the latest web browsers, server software, and other plugins. If your plugins are outdated, they might clash with other features on your website, causing glitching, cache issues and other malfunctions, which can be really annoying for you and your visitors. 

How to update your plugins

Updating plugins is straightforward but requires diligence and careful planning to avoid potential issues. Here's a brief overview of the typical steps involved:

Backup your website:

• Use a reliable backup plugin or service to create a backup of your entire website, including files and databases
• Schedule regular backups to ensure you have up-to-date copies of your website

Review plugin updates:

• Log in to your website's admin panel
• Look for notifications or alerts indicating available plugin update
• Click on the updates section to see a list of plugins with available updates.

Test in a development environment:

• Set up a separate development or staging environment that mirrors your live website
• Install the same plugins and custom code in the development environment
• Test plugin updates in this environment to identify any conflicts or issues

Update plugins:

• After successful testing in the development environment, go back to your live website's admin panel
• Navigate to the updates section and select the plugins you want to update
• Proceed with the updates, taking care to update them one-by-one, version by version

Monitor for issues:

• Keep a close eye on your live website after performing updates
• Regularly check key functionality, user interactions, and any potential issues that may arise

Stay informed:

• Subscribe to notifications or newsletters from plugin developers
• Read user reviews and comments regarding specific updates
• If you notice widespread issues reported by users, consider delaying the update until a fix is available

Regular maintenance:

• In addition to plugins, regularly update your WordPress core and theme to the latest versions
• Ensure that all elements of your website, including plugins, theme, and core, are in sync for optimal performance and security

Comprehensive website maintenance

When it comes to managing a website, it's essential to view maintenance as a holistic endeavour. Think of it like taking care of your car. You need to do regular check-ups, like updating plugins, to keep your website healthy and lasting a long time and collectively sustain your digital presence.

So, what makes up website maintenance?

1. WordPress core updates

At the heart of millions of websites around the world lies the WordPress core - the very foundation upon which your site is built. It's the engine that powers your website, and like any other piece of software, it requires regular maintenance in the form of updates.

Just like plugins, the WordPress core is not immune from problems and vulnerabilities that could be leveraged by malicious parties. Core updates often include patches for these security holes, safeguarding your website and its valuable data.

Software is rarely error-free, and WordPress is no exception. But don't worry, WordPress updates fix these issues and make your website safer. They also make your website work better and give you new tools to make content and connect with your audience.

2. Theme updates

Themes essentially are templates that set the appearance and layout of your website, making them integral to your site's overall design and functionality. Just like plugins, themes are often developed by third-party providers, and theme developers frequently release updates to keep them in sync with WordPress and address issues, including security vulnerabilities and compatibility problems.

To update your theme, visit your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the Themes section, and check for available updates. As with plugins and the core, it's essential to back up your site and test theme updates in a development environment.

3. PHP updates

PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, is the server-side scripting language that powers the dynamic elements of your website. Hosting providers play a critical role in maintaining the PHP version running on their servers.

PHP updates often include security enhancements to protect against vulnerabilities. Keep an eye out for upgrades which can lead to better website speed and responsiveness. Running an outdated PHP version can expose your site to potential risks. 

To maintain your PHP version, contact your hosting provider. They should be responsible for ensuring that your website's PHP remains up to date.

What do you get from maintaining your website?

1. Security

An outdated site is a prime target for hacking and malware attacks. Here at Dilate Digital, our web developers understand this threat. That is why we consistently implement new update releases to patch security vulnerabilities for clients who are on a website maintenance retainer and ensure their site's safety.

Maintaining a secure website is non-negotiable in a world where cybersecurity threats are ever-present. These updates serve as a shield, protecting sensitive data, such as user information and payment details.

2. Bug fixes

Software is rarely perfect, and plugins are no exception. They may contain bugs or compatibility issues that affect their functionality. Fortunately, developers are diligent in addressing these concerns by including bug fixes in updates.

Keeping your website and plugins up to date helps everything run smoothly and ensures your visitors and clients have a great experience on your site.

3. Performance

Updated plugins typically outperform their outdated counterparts. An optimised website provides a better user experience and can even positively impact your SEO. Search engines favour faster-loading websites, making performance optimisation (faster and better) essential to maintaining your website's visibility and competitiveness.

4. Stability

Website crashes, errors, and downtime are the bane of any website owner. Outdated plugins can be a leading cause of these issues. Regular updates ensure that your website remains stable, reducing the risk of disruptions that could drive visitors away and tarnish your online reputation.

5. User experience

If plugins become outdated, they can lead to slow load times and broken features, ultimately frustrating visitors and potentially driving them away. An exceptional user experience is essential for retaining and attracting users, ensuring they have a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable interaction with your website.

Best practices in keeping your website up to date

Research user reviews and ratings

When you're considering installing a new plugin, doing your homework is crucial. You can't just sacrifice your website to install any new plugin you see in the market.

Checking user reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into the plugin's reputation and reliability. A high rating and lots of positive reviews are indicative of a well-crafted and effective plugin. Conversely, a low rating and negative feedback may signal issues that could impact your website.

Want a Pro tip? Before adding a new plugin, specifically look at how many active instals it has and how many reviews. If a plugin has less than, like, 1-3k active instals/100 reviews (bare minimum), don't allow the plugin to be installed.

Compatibility checks

Before adding a plugin to your website, ensure that it's compatible with the existing components. Some plugins may conflict with others or the current theme, leading to functionality problems. Always verify compatibility to avoid unnecessary complications.

Long-term cost reduction

Regular maintenance and updates help prevent issues that could be costly to resolve later. The cost of updating your website is typically lower than the cost of fixing problems that arise due to neglect. It's a proactive approach that pays off in the long run.

Avoid catching up on multiple versions

Catching up on multiple versions of WordPress, themes, or plugins all at once can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. It's akin to trying to sprint after months of inactivity. The more versions you fall behind, the more potential for compatibility issues and complications. 

Staying up to date ensures you only need to make small, manageable updates regularly, reducing the risk of conflicts and time-consuming updates.

Risks of updating an extremely outdated website

If you've allowed your website to become extremely outdated, updating it without the help of a developer can be risky. Elements of your site may break, and you might lose data or functionality. More often than not, fixing these issues requires a more substantial investment of time and resources. Preventing your website from reaching this state is the most prudent course of action.