3 Vital Reasons To Update Your WP Plugins
What is one thing that makes each WordPress website unique, adds functionality and leaves a website vulnerable to hackers if ignored? It’s plugins.
WordPress is an open source platform that allows developers to expand its functions and features with the use of plugins (and themes) that, once downloaded and activated, integrates with the software.
There’s a massive array of free and paid plugins available and each adds specific features to the functionality. They are designed to enhance the WordPress platform’s performance with contact forms, backups, security, email list building, page builders, ecommerce, image galleries and etcetera.
For an individual that does not access or utilize their WordPress dashboard on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, it is easy to be unaware of plugin updates. This can be problematic because there isn’t a standard schedule for developers to update their plugins. They correct security vulnerabilities, fix bugs (errors in the program) discovered in previous versions, improve performance and maintain compatibility when an issue arises in addition to when the WordPress platform updates.
It is, ultimately, the responsibility of the individual maintaining the website to check their WordPress dashboard for plugin (and theme) updates. This will significantly reduce the risk of the website being hacked or compromised in other ways.
Increase Security & Bug Fixes
Hackers look for security vulnerabilities in the source coding to exploit them. The WordPress development team is continuously updating security vulnerabilities and bug fixes to ensure your data and website run smoothly and remains safe.
New Features
This is true especially for plugins that enhance creative and functional features.
An example is builder plugins such as Divi Builder, Beaver Builder, Thrive Builder and the others.
Recently Elegant Themes added a new set of WooCommerce tools to the Divi Builder that allows the designer to create custom product pages [read The WooCommerce Builder For Divi]. I must add, this update has inspired me to move forward with my dream to sell my photographs on canvas.
Speed
The internet is a competitive environment and time is of the essence. Developers are continuously seeking ways to increase the load time of webpages and the included images.
Right now is a great time to login to your WordPress website and check for updates to your website’s plugins and themes. If your website is “stationary” (content remains unchanged for long duration of time), I recommend scheduling a specific date once a month to view the dashboard for notifications, update the plugins and themes, and verify your overall content/message is current.
It is vital to keep your WordPress plugins (and themes) up-to-date to maintain a healthy and productive website and to prevent it from being blacklisted. If you would like assistance with your WordPress website, please contact me.
Do you like the layout of CKKochis.com?
You can create a similar (and more creative) layout with Divi, an Elegant Themes product.
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