WordPress: The Popular CMS Platform

WordPress is a widely used CMS platform used for creating and managing websites. It frequently releases new updates which contain security updates, user-interface improvements, and new features for enhancing user experience. It’s crucial to keep your website updated regularly to avoid security attacks and other vulnerabilities.

Precautions Before Updating WordPress

When updating WordPress, it’s crucial to take precautions to avoid losing any content. Follow the steps below to update your WordPress version without losing content:

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before proceeding with the update, create a backup of your website using a WordPress plugin called UpdraftPlus. It is a comprehensive backup plugin that helps you create a backup of your website’s database and files.

Step 2: Update Plugins and Themes

Update all your installed plugins and themes as outdated plugins and themes can make your website vulnerable to security threats and other issues. Before updating your plugins and themes, ensure their compatibility with the new version of WordPress.

Step 3: Test Your Website for Compatibility

Test your website for compatibility with the new version before the WordPress update using the WP Engine Compatibility Tester plugin. If any potential compatibility issues arise, fix them before updating WordPress.

Step 4: Perform the WordPress Update

Perform the WordPress update either automatically or manually. If the automatic update fails, perform a manual update by downloading the latest version of WordPress from the official website and uploading the contents to your website’s root directory through FTP.

Step 5: Verify the Update

Verify that your website is running smoothly and all content is in place after the update. Check the functionality of your pages, posts, menus, widgets, and plugins. If content is missing or not working, restore it from the backup created in step 1.

Conclusion

Updating WordPress may seem daunting, but with a little preparation and careful planning, it can be done smoothly without losing valuable content. Always remember to backup your website, update plugins and themes, and perform compatibility tests before performing the actual update. Perform the update either automatically or manually and verify the update before completing the process.