WordPress Plugin & Theme Updates: How, When, and Why?

Let’s be honest: if you’ve logged into your WordPress site and seen that terrifying little ‘updates pending’ notification, you’ve probably felt a wave of panic. Did we forget something? Is the site about to implode? Don’t worry! Take a deep breath and rest assured we’ve got it all your WordPress updates under control.

 

Updates are important. Of course they are. But seeing a few updates sitting there untouched doesn’t mean we’ve been slacking off at Soto HQ. In fact, it’s all part of how we make sure your site stays safe, secure, and up-to-date. Let’s dive into the ‘how’, ‘when’, and ‘why’ of WordPress updates.

 

How Do We Handle WordPress Updates?

 

In terms of most updates – particularly minor security updates – we don’t rush. We’ve been in this business long enough to see what happens when you’re too quick off the mark! New updates can sometimes be a bit buggy, and can end up doing more harm than good. Holding off a little while can avoid these issues, and give the developers time to identify problems and release fixed versions.

 

So while you may see an update sitting there and think we’re not paying attention, we’re very much aware of it. We check regularly to see what updates are available, and if we haven’t touched it, there’s a reason! Of course, if something major pops up, like a security update, we’ll address it ASAP.

 

What we’re getting at here is that we’re continually monitoring everything, applying crucial patches quickly, and making sure that any updates that could cause issues are handled carefully. We even do daily backups – and hourly backups for some clients. If anything does go wrong, we can restore your site in no time and get you back up and running like nothing had ever happened.

 

When Do We Install Updates?

 

Depending on your package, your site typically gets updated either once or twice a month. Now, if you’re on the twice-a-month schedule, you probably won’t even notice pending updates because we’ve got everything running like clockwork. However, if you’re a once-a-month client, we usually take care of everything at the end of the month. So, if you’re having a little mid-month peek and see a bunch of ‘pending’ updates, don’t panic – we know they’re there, and we’ll get the job done!

 

Now, we won’t lie: sometimes, things can – and do – get delayed. Maybe one of our team members caught a nasty cold, or there was a cosmic glitch in the space-time continuum. But, generally speaking, if you’re checking the site and the updates aren’t done yet, they’ll be finished soon.

 

Why Are WordPress Updates So Important?

 

Updates aren’t just nice to have – they’re critical for the security and health of your site. Keeping plugins, themes, and WordPress itself up-to-date ensures your site runs efficiently and stays safe from potential vulnerabilities. Without updates, your site can easily become a target for hackers, and may even begin to slow down over time, resulting in it being almost unusable. Plus, plugin updates often include bug fixes or cool new features, so keeping things fresh means your site stays chic!

 

Relax, We’ve Got It Covered

 

One important thing to know about us here at Soto: we’ve got your back when it comes to updates.

 

So, next time you log in and see a few pending updates, don’t worry. We’ve got it under control. Our goal is to keep your site safe, secure, and running like a well-oiled machine – no panic necessary.

 

Updates are a natural part of keeping your WordPress site in tip-top shape. Whether they’re happening once or twice a month, you can be sure they’re being handled carefully, and with your best interests in mind. So when you next see those little update notifications, just know that we’re on it. No need to worry – after all, that’s why you’ve got us as your web development partner!

 

Do you have more queries about updates? Or want to find out more about our process and how we work? Get in touch with us. We’re always happy to chat and answer any questions you may have.