We all love WordPress, it is currently the number one choice for developing new websites. Many of us call ourselves developers, and many more of us can be defined as WordPress Appliers, according to Tom McFarlin.
However, as long as we are using WordPress, it doesn’t matter which role we are playing in it. The most important fact is we are making use of this fantastic piece of software every day.
Now, the awesome developers of the platform are constantly trying to make it better, more useful and safer for the end user. As a result, they release frequent updates to the core software. Some of the releases are minor, while some are really major, with very important features. But yet, lots of the WordPress users are using outdated versions.
We used WordPress 2.9 in the title, but that’s only a number. Some of the issues discussed in this article will apply to all the versions prior to 3.9.1, the stable release as of this writing.
Let’s start exploring why it’s dangerous to run WordPress 2.9 anymore.
New Versions Are More Secure
First and foremost, WordPress needs to updated for security purposes. While each major update comes with numerous security patches and critical updates, less smaller updates often do to. With every update, WordPress engineers try to make the platform more secure and more reliable.
The reason there are always new security updates is that WordPress is so widely used it’s a big target for hackers.
The new security features reduce a hackers ability to gain access to your website. The updates will block every possible backdoor and loopholes of the framework. That is until new backdoors are found.
When new updates are released, a detailed report is also published on what’s improved and what security vulnerabilities are addressed in the update. You always find details about the new version on the WordPress.org site.
Anyone running an older version of WordPress automatically becomes vulnerable with each major update. Because, the new updates explicitly indicate the weak points of the old versions of the platform and how they are addressed.
Bug Fixes
Though WordPress has been around for a long period of time, it is still improving. Every now and then, bugs are being discovered in the platform.
As soon as a bug is reported, someone starts working on it and makes sure that it is resolved within the shortest period of time possible. Though general users may never notice any bugs, they are still there and may cause your grief when you least expect it.
That’s why it is wise to always update to the latest version of WordPress. While you usually don’t see the improvements, you’ll enjoy the piece of mind knowing that your website is secure.
New Features
Almost every major update of WordPress comes with new features and improvements. As web and web technologies advance, WordPress also tries to keep with the latest and most popular trends.
Therefore, if you do not update your WordPress site as new version come out, you are actually falling behind in terms of security and functionality. And in many ways, you’ll be sacrificing money and performance by not updating.
New, improved technologies allow you to do the same task in a less-costly manner and more reliably. Your website is also bound to perform better with every update of WordPress, unless your site is kind of a mess and overloaded with plugins.
However, I think this article has given you enough reasons to upgrade your WordPress site tonight, if not now! If you are not convinced yet, please share your reasons in the comments below. I will try to convince you again. And if you are confused about the migration process or worried about the proper way of doing this, let me know by leaving a comment. I will try my best to guide you through it.