Best Practices for Updating WordPress in 2026 (Safe & Simple Guide)
WordPress remains the world’s most popular platform in 2026 — but it requires careful updates to avoid crashes, downtime, and security issues. If updates are done incorrectly, entire websites can break.
Here’s how to update WordPress the safe way.
1. Always Create a Backup First
Before updating:
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WordPress core
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Plugins
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Themes
You must take a full site backup.
Most businesses skip this step — and regret it later.
2. Test Updates on a Staging Site
A staging site lets you preview updates without affecting the live site.
3. Update Plugins in the Correct Order
Recommended order:
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Plugins
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Themes
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WordPress core
This prevents plugin conflict issues.
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4. Check Front-End After Every Update
Test:
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Menus
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Forms
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Checkout
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Layout
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Images
Many problems appear only after the update.
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5. Don’t Use Abandoned Plugins
Plugins not updated in 12+ months are a major risk in 2026.
Remove them immediately.
When in Doubt — Let Professionals Handle It
Our 2026 Website Maintenance Program includes:
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Backups
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Security checks
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Plugin/theme updates
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Core updates
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Fixing update-related errors
Security threats will grow every year, and businesses that don’t maintain their websites will face avoidable downtime, data loss, and ruined SEO rankings.
