Ultimate Guide to Upgrading WordPress: Infographics for Beginners

Updating WordPress is an essential task for any website owner using this platform. Upgrades not only introduce new features, but are also crucial to the security and performance of the site. In this guide, we will explore the steps necessary to perform a successful WordPress upgrade, with a special focus on beginners. We will accompany the explanation with an infographic that will make the process even easier.

Why is it important to update WordPress?

WordPress updates are more than just a matter of aesthetics. Here are some key reasons why:

• Improved security: Each new version of WordPress addresses security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Keeping your site up to date is essential to protect your information and that of your users.
• Performance improvements: Updates can optimize site performance, resulting in faster load times and a better user experience.
• New features: Updates often include new features that can improve the functionality of your site, allowing you to take full advantage of WordPress' capabilities.

Steps prior to upgrade

Before performing any upgrade, it is crucial to follow some preparatory steps that will ensure that the process runs smoothly.

Make a backup copy

It is always advisable to make a complete backup of your site before performing any updates. This includes both the database and the site files. You can use plugins such as UpdraftPlus o Duplicator to facilitate this process. By making a backup, you will be able to restore your site in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.

Check compatibility of plugins and themes

Before upgrading, verify that all your plugins and themes are compatible with the new version of WordPress. You can do this by checking each plugin's page in the WordPress repository or on the developer's website. If a plugin is not compatible, consider looking for an alternative or waiting until it is updated.

How to update WordPress

Once you have done the preparatory steps, it's time to proceed with the WordPress upgrade. There are two main methods to do this: through the admin panel and manually.

Automatic update from the administration panel

This is the simplest method and recommended for beginners. To update WordPress from the admin panel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to "Desktop" > "Updates".
3. If there is an update available, you will see a button that says "Update now".
4.		

					

						

					

			

						

				

																														
				
					
		
				

			

						

				

					
Download our web maintenance guide
 Free of charge!
				
				
				

				

					
Free guide for freelancers and small businesses that want to avoid surprises and improve their web performance.
				
				
				

				

							

					

					

						

					

			

						

				

							

			
			
			

			
			

								

												
								Name							
														
											
								

												
								Email							
														
											
								

												
								Select an option 							
								

			

							
			
									I am a WordPress professional
									I have a website and I need to learn
							
		
						
								

									
								

												
								What language would you like the guide in?							
								

			

							
			
									Spanish
									English
							
		
						
								

					
						
																						Download guide
													
					
				
			
		
						
				
					
		
					
		
				
				
						
				
					
		
					
		
				
		  Click "Update Now" and wait for the process to complete.
5. Once the upgrade is complete, you will be shown a message confirming that WordPress has been successfully upgraded.

Manual update

If you prefer or need to perform a manual update, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from the official site.
2. Unzip the downloaded file on your computer.
3. Use an FTP client to connect to your web server.
4. Upload all the files from the unzipped folder (except the wp-content folder) to your WordPress directory, overwriting the existing files.
5. Login to your site and follow the database update instructions if necessary.

Post-Update: Verifications required

After updating your site, it is essential to perform some checks to make sure that everything is working properly.

Verify the operation of the site

Navigate your website and make sure that all pages load correctly and that there are no visible errors. Pay special attention to features that use plugins or themes that you have updated.

Check the plugins configuration

Some updates may reset the configuration of certain plugins. Access the settings for each plugin and verify that everything is in order. Make sure that the functions you were using before are still active and working as expected.

Infographic: WordPress Upgrade Process

To make the process easier, we have created an infographic that summarizes all the steps mentioned above. This infographic is ideal to print out and have on hand whenever you need to update your site.

Common errors during upgrade

Despite following all the steps, you may encounter some common errors during the upgrade. Here are some of them and how to fix them:

• Database connection error: This error may indicate problems with your server. Check your database credentials in the wp-config.php file.
• Compatibility issues: If a plugin or theme is not compatible with the new version, consider disabling it temporarily until a compatible update is released.
• Loss of data: If you have made a backup before the upgrade, you can restore your site to its previous state using that backup.

Conclusion

Updating WordPress is a crucial step in keeping your website secure and running optimally. By following this guide, beginners can undertake the process with confidence, minimizing risk and ensuring your site is always up to date. Remember to always make backups and check the compatibility of your plugins and themes for a smooth experience.