You have all probably noticed that your CMS (Content Management System) gets regularly updated. But have you ever asked yourself why that is and why you need that?
Without getting into detail about the different types of CMS updates (security updates vs functional updates), we have 5 reasons for you, why you should keep your CMS updated.
1. Protection against hacker attempts
The usage of any digital product is something that always begs the question of how to safely use said product. It doesn’t matter how good and developed a product wants to be, it can never be 100% secure. It’s just a product of the times we live in. There are also people who devote themselves to finding weak points in digital products and possibly using these weak points to carry out ill-intentioned attacks and manipulation. The responsibility to close any security holes falls on the CMS developer. As soon as a problem is identified and fixed, a new version (security update) will be implemented. When you keep your CMS up to date, you are patching any potential security holes. If you don’t update your CMS, then you are potentially leaving your outdated system open to attacks.
2. A CMS is never perfect
Just like how people aren’t perfect, there is also no flawless product and no perfect CMS. Every CMS has different elements to it, and they are optimized and changed over time. Digital products are constantly evolving and are always incorporating new features. For example, one notable approach to CMS development that has gained popularity is the headless CMS platform, which many websites are now adopting. If a new standard is developed, then a new solution must accompany it. If a new standard is developed, then a new solution must accompany it. It is part of the continuous process and development can never cease because of it.
“A product is never perfect” also means manufacturers must continuously work on their product so that it is as good and safe for the customer as possible.
3. Technical issues / Bugs
Even experienced programmers and developers can make mistakes that aren’t immediately discovered, or they may not be compatible with other plugins. Such coding errors, bugs, and compatibility issues must be fixed and released in the form of updates.
4. Every product must be developed further
This point goes together with our second point. There are always newly created standards and sometimes developers want to develop their product further in order to give their customers or users more functions and features.
5. Cost
It is normally much easier and cheaper to regularly keep your CMS updated than to deal with the fallout that would happen in the event of a successful hack on your website, which could lead to you needing to completely remake your website or online shop.
What happens when I never install updates?
If you have never installed an update, and you are convinced that you don’t need to do so because you are satisfied with your “old” CMS, please consider the security issue for you and your customers. You are not only risking the functionality of your website, but also your online credibility from your customers.
What do I need to pay attention to while updating?
Since a CMS is not only the design of your website but the complete system, you should always be careful when updating your CMS. Back up all important data before installing an update. If you don’t know what that is and how to do it, it would be best to ask someone who would know. Once you have seen someone do it once, you should be able to do it again by yourself. Alternatively, you could always look up a backup plugin for your CMS.
Free Download PDF