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Website maintenance is essential in keeping a website working properly. Maintaining your website includes keeping your Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and WordPress Content Management System (CMS) up to date. Keeping PHP and WordPress updated is crucial for several reasons, as both play an essential role in maintaining the security, functionality, and performance of your website.

1: WHAT IS PHP AND WORDPRESS?

WordPress is an open-source CMS that allows users to build, manage, and maintain websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. Launched in the early 2000’s, it has become one of the most popular CMS platforms globally, powering over 40% of websites on the internet.

PHP is the code that makes WordPress work. The plugins and themes within WordPress are built using PHP. It’s important to know that PHP and WordPress are tightly connected. For that reason, it’s important to consider them dependent on each other when maintaining your website.

2: WHY DO WE KEEP THEM UPDATED?

Neglecting PHP and WordPress updates can put your website at risk and can harm your business, your reputation and the experience for your online users. Here are some ways that your site can be impacted:

• Improved Security
  • Outdated versions of PHP and WordPress are common targets for hackers. Updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that could otherwise be exploited.
  • Security fixes help protect your site from malware, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
• Enhanced Performance
  • Newer versions of PHP and WordPress are optimized for better speed and resource efficiency. Faster server processing times improve page load speed, contributing to a better user experience.
• Proper Compatibility
  • Plugins and themes installed in WordPress often require the latest versions of WordPress and PHP to function correctly.
  • Staying updated ensures that third-party tools remain compatible, reducing the risk of crashes or display issues.
• Bug Fixes
  • Updates address bugs and glitches discovered in previous versions, improving stability and overall user experience.
  • Updates allow us to troubleshoot site issues
• Access to New Features
  • Major updates often introduce valuable features that enhance site functionality and design flexibility.
• Search Engine Optimization Benefits
  • Faster, secure, and well-maintained websites are more likely to rank higher on search engines.

Through website maintenance, the Clark team is better able to consistently monitor your website and advise you on when WordPress and PHP updates are needed. As part of our process, when these updates are needed, we will:

1. Backup your site before any update to avoid potential data loss.
2. Create a test version of your site and make the updates there prior to launching on the live site.
3. Ensure that plugins, themes, and server configurations are also compatible with new versions.

Take the first step and reach out to us! We’re here to help and partner with you in keeping your website a success.

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