How to Upgrade Your WordPress Site Step by Step: A Guide

If you’re a WordPress site owner, you may need to upgrade your site from time to time to ensure optimal performance and security. After all, upgrading your site is critical to keeping it up to date, avoiding downtime, and benefiting from the latest features and functionality, among other things. But how do you go about upgrading your WordPress site? Read on to find out!

Step 1: Backup Your WordPress Site

The first step in upgrading your site is to back it up. That way, you have a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. For this, you can use a reliable backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup. Follow the plugin’s instructions carefully and store your backup in a secure location.

Step 2: Update WordPress Version

Next, you should update your WordPress version. To do this, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the updates tab. There, you’ll see whether there’s a newer version of WordPress available for download. If there is, click on the update button and wait for WordPress to download and install the new version. Depending on your site, the upgrade process may take some time, but it should be relatively smooth. Once WordPress has updated, you’ll receive a notification to confirm the completion of the process.

Step 3: Update Themes and Plugins

After updating WordPress, it’s time to update your themes and plugins. To update your theme, go to the Appearance>Themes section in the dashboard and click the update button if it’s available. If your theme is from a third-party source, you can download and install the latest version from their website. Similarly, to update your plugins, visit the Plugins tab and follow the instructions to install the latest version automatically.

Step 4: Test Your Site

Once you’ve upgraded WordPress, themes, and plugins, thoroughly test your site to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Check all the features, including widgets, links, and forms, to make sure they’re working as intended. If everything seems fine, your site is ready to go.

Step 5: Scan Your Site For Security

After upgrading your WordPress version and plugins, perform a thorough security scan using a reputable security plugin such as Wordfence or iThemes Security. The scan will identify any vulnerabilities on your site that could affect your website’s security.

Step 6: Clean Up Your Site

Lastly, clean up your site to eliminate any unused files and optimize code output. A cluttered site can be detrimental to page load speeds and server resources. WP-Sweep is a great plugin that automates the deletion of unused database entries such as spam comments and post revisions, among other things.

Conclusion

Upgrading your WordPress site regularly is critical for maintaining high levels of performance and security. Regular upgrades guard your site against hacking attempts, malware, and other threats to your online business. You’ll also get access to the latest WordPress features, themes, and plugins. Follow the steps above to upgrade your site efficiently and without hassle.