When did you update your wordpress site ?
Is the WordPress 4.3 – Billie version ready for you?
WordPress recently released version 4.3 and although many plug-ins and theme developers are still working to become compatible with this new release it may be interesting for you to think of. What WordPress version are you running on – if it is a few years old it is important to consider for security reasons to make an update especially if you have it open to subscribers/comments open.
However, before you go ahead and clicking that button there are a few things to consider. The major questions to ask are:
- Have you made any customisation to your theme?
- Is your theme compatible to the new 4.3 version?
- Is your site running on a child-theme?
- Are your plug-ins compatible to the new version?
- Have you made any customisation to your plug-ins?
If your reply is ‘yes’ to any of the above you need to take things slowly.
However – the most important question you should ask yourself is..
- Have you got a back-up?
Even if you made a back-up after the site was finished and have made back-up’s regularly you should make sure you have a fresh back-up done before making any attempts to update.
What is new in WordPress 4.3 – Billie
https://wordpress.org/news/2015/08/billie/
Many developers recommend the following work flow but it is important you check what is applicable for just your web-site. Take your time this is something you do not want to rush as you might loose your data, valuable time and money.
- First of all – Make sure you have made a recent and full back-up that you can easily access if needed of your WordPress web-site.
- Secondly – if you skipped the back-up step – do one now.
- Verify that your plug-ins are compatible with the new version and update these first.
- Note – did you make any changes in your plug-in? Have you got these at hand? Are any CSS-changes in your child-theme?
- Continue with verifying your theme is compatible with the new version before updating the theme.
- Note – if you have made any modifications to your theme and do not have a ‘child’ theme it might be a good idea to stop this updating process and set up the child theme first before updating the ‘parent’ theme.
- Make sure you have a copy of your CSS / style sheet and any templates you my have made modifications to.
- Now you should have all plug-ins and theme updated you can hit the WordPress 4.3 update button.
Should your theme and plug-ins not yet be ready for the new 4.3 – Billie version you may want to consider to at least update to WordPress 4.2.4 Security and Maintencance release. Follow the below link for further information of this update.
https://wordpress.org/news/2015/08/wordpress-4-2-4-security-and-maintenance-release/
If you do not feel confident doing the above by yourself ask your web-administrator or contact me at JKQ Design for further information and quote as every web-site is different and you might consider making a child theme, some alterations and modifications at the same time.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Jeanette