And maximise your website’s full potential with a better user experience and enhanced security.

Even though it’s really just the right thing to do, there are at least six crucial reasons for regularly updating your Content Management System.

But first, a little refresher.

 

What’s a Content Management System again?

 

Well, it’s the software application or set of tools that is used to create, manage, and publish digital content quickly and easily. A CMS (Content Management System) can be used to create and manage websites, blogs, mobile apps, and other forms of digital content. It’s versatile, sure, but most importantly – it makes it easy for almost everyone to create those things and publish online without having to know how to programme code first.

Like all online products, they just get better over time.

 

Our Top Six Reasons for Updating Your CMS

 

  1. New Features and Functionality

What’s not to love about that, right? With every update, software developers are ensuring you’re not only getting the most out your CMS, but there are all new ways you can make your website, blog or app even better. WordPress 6.0 was released back in May, and with it came with far more customisable editing features and enhanced themes.

  1. Improved Security

If we’re being technical, this would actually sit at number one. But, where’s the fun in that right? By far the biggest reason to keep your CMS updated is the relief it provides knowing your website is far less vulnerable to cyber-attacks thanks to internal bug fixes and security patches. Consider this chilling statistic: reportedly 86% of WordPress sites are hacked due to outdated installs and plugins…

  1. Better Performance

There’s no point pouring your blood, sweat and tears into a website only to have it load slowly or not at all. The face of your business should be incredible to look at, but most importantly, a joy to use. Fast load times are crucial here.

  1. Bug Fixes

Sure, it seems like we already covered this one, but there’s more to it that just improved security. As exciting as WordPress 6.0 is, it doesn’t mean it was all smooth sailing. Last month, WordPress released its maintenance 6.0.1 update, containing 13 bug fixes for Core and 18 for the Block Editor.

  1. Reputation Protection

This is the Internet; word will spread fast – either via social media or business reviews – and if your website constantly crashes, is unavailable or extremely user unfriendly, your business will go down with it. Regularly updating your CMS goes a long way in avoiding those headaches.

  1. Increased Savings

Again, it might seem like this should be further up the list – but let’s call it saving the best for last. If you wait too long to upgrade your CMS, you may encounter problems that are difficult or expensive to fix. Updating your CMS on a regular basis not only offers better features but saves the time and hassle it takes to deal with technical issues on a large scale.

 

To recap: If you’re not already keeping your CMS up to date, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. An outdated CMS can leave your website vulnerable to security threats, slow down performance, and cause compatibility issues with new software and plugins.

 

How to Update Your CMS

Whether you’re running WordPress or Joomla, here are two handy step-by-step guides to help you stay on top of the latest updates.

First though, and this is important, don’t forget to make backups of all your files and plugins before you update. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and as far as anything digital is concerned, you can’t be too careful.

With that out of the way, feel free to click any of the links below and discover the glory of the optimised CMS that awaits.

WordPress 

Joomla