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Managing WordPress Updates: The Ultimate Checklist for Small Sites

Managing WordPress Updates: The Ultimate Checklist for Small Sites

Regularly updating your WordPress site isn’t just a “nice to do” task — it’s your first line of defense against hackers, glitches, and embarrassing downtime. Whether you’re running a small business storefront or a nonprofit’s donation page, a broken plugin or outdated core file can bring your mission to a grinding halt. The good news? You don’t need a tech degree to manage updates safely. All it takes is a solid checklist, a few best practices, and maybe a strong cup of coffee.

1. Why WordPress Updates Matter

  • Security patches protect sensitive data from vulnerabilities.
  • Performance improvements keep load times fast and user experience smooth.
  • New features help your site stay competitive and functional.

2. Always Backup First

  • Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault for automated backups.
  • Store backups off-site using Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3.
  • What we use: UpdraftPlus and Dropbox

3. Check Compatibility Before Updating

  • Review plugin and theme changelogs for potential conflicts.
  • Run the Site Health tool in WordPress to identify issues.
  • Ensure your PHP and MySQL versions meet WordPress requirements.

4. Update in the Correct Order

  1. First: Plugins
  2. Second: Themes
  3. Last: WordPress core

This order helps you isolate the cause if something breaks.

5. Test in a Staging Environment

  • Clone your site to a staging server for safe testing.
  • Apply updates and check all site functionality before going live.

6. Monitor Your Site After Updates

  • Check page load times and site performance.
  • Test forms, checkout processes, and interactive features.

7. Schedule Regular Maintenance

  • Weekly: Apply updates and review site health.
  • Monthly: Optimize database, scan for broken links.
  • Quarterly: Audit plugins/themes for bloat or inactivity.

8. Have a Rollback Plan

  • Keep a recent backup ready for emergencies.
  • Know how to quickly revert an update that causes issues.

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