Short answer: yes. Updates are one of the most important parts of owning a website, and one of the easiest to put off.
What gets updated
- WordPress itself, the core software that runs your site.
- Your theme, which controls how your site looks.
- Your plugins, the add-ons for forms, shops, galleries and more.
- PHP, the programming language your hosting uses to run WordPress.
Why it matters
Security. Most updates fix security holes. Once a hole is public, automated bots start scanning the internet for sites that haven’t been fixed yet. In October 2026, PHP released emergency fixes for two critical flaws called PHP2Shell, and sites running current, supported software were the ones that could patch right away.
Compatibility. Plugins and themes are built for current versions of WordPress and PHP. Fall too far behind and things start breaking, often all at once.
Speed. Newer versions of PHP and WordPress are usually faster, which helps both your visitors and your search rankings.
How to update safely
- Make a backup first.
- Update plugins and your theme, then WordPress.
- Click through your important pages and test your forms.
- Remove plugins you no longer use; they still need updating even when they’re switched off.
Would you rather not deal with it at all? I offer website maintenance packages and will keep your site updated, backed up and safe for you. Or book a private tutoring session and I’ll show you how to do it yourself. Contact Bev to get started.