Because WordPress CMS is open source, hackers can study WordPress source code to locate vulnerabilities in your site. For this reason, WordPress CMS and WordPress plugin developers issue frequent updates to eliminate new vulnerabilities and to maintain security on your site. But users often resist updating their sites as updates can cut off plugins, extensions, and templates that aren’t using the best practices and coding standards.

Customization is key, so are updated plugins - click here for both

Below is a list of four best practice suggestions to help you successfully update your WordPress plugin without losing the customization you’ve so carefully built.

1) Conduct regular WordPress backups and create a staging site

By conducting frequent backups of your site's database and files, you can always roll back to the previous version without losing important data.

As an additional precaution, you should create a staging site and clone your site to it. Run all updates and testing on this staging site. This will give you insight into whether or not there are any compatibility issues. Once compatibility is confirmed, you can safely move any update changes to your plugin over to your live site.

2) Use hooks to extend your plugin functionality

WordPress provides hooks with actions and filters so you can customize your plugins and easily upgrade them. If your plugin contains hooks, you can extend its functionality without affecting its core. Plugin updates will not affect these hooks.

If your plugin does not contain code for hooks, you can create your own hooks or hire a developer to do so.

3) Avoid editing the plugin core

When customizing your plugin, avoid making changes to its core. You can add a functionality plugin to your website to make additional changes.

A functionality plugin allows you to place customized code into a separate plugin rather than directly into the plugin or theme itself. You can edit your functionality plugin and add snippets to it using the quick link in the admin menu. Because these customizations are separate from the actual plugin or theme, they’re not affected by plugin updates.

4) Use Code Snippets to add more functionality

Similar to a functionality plugin, the code snippets plugin enables you to add more functionality to your website without affecting its core theme. It runs like a "mini-plugin" using a GUI interface for adding snippets.

Snippets are stored in the WordPress database and are therefore not affected by WordPress updates.

If you have fewer snippets to add and prefer editing a file rather than using a graphic interface, then you can stick with the functionality plugin.

Update Your Plugins with Confidence

A healthy, secure, and high-functioning website depends on regular WordPress updates.

There isn't one clear way to update a plugin without losing customization. But there are preemptive ways to prevent your site from breaking. By implementing the best practices suggestions above, you will avoid unnecessary complications like data loss and compatibility issues when updating your plugins.

As managed WordPress hosting experts, we speak your language. We can geek out with you about updates and their effects on plugins, but we can also discuss cron tasks, code snippets, or DNS tools. You can trust us with the entire gamut of WordPress questions, so the only one left is… why aren’t we hosting your WordPress site yet? Click below and join us.

Customization is key, so are updated plugins - click here for both

The post How Do I Update a WordPress Plugin Without Losing Customization? appeared first on uPress.

If you're using WordPress CMS for your business website, you might feel nervous about WordPress plugin updates. After all, you know the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Your web developers worked hard to build you an appealing website that engages your audience, and you don't want to risk messing it up with an unnecessary update.

Although we get that feeling, as managed WordPress hosting experts, we can confidently tell you that WordPress CMS relies quite heavily on updates. Because WordPress CMS is open source, hackers study the WordPress source code to look for vulnerabilities that could give them a way in to your site. That's why WordPress CMS and WordPress plugin developers issue frequent updates to close new vulnerabilities and maintain security on your site.

WordPress CMS is a continual work in progress. WordPress developers are constantly looking for new features to make it even better, and improved ways to keep up with technology and security best practices. The same applies to WordPress plugins; if the plugin owner is responsible and cares to deliver a good product, they'll issue regular updates that add functionality and improve security.

That's why we recommend that you always keep your WordPress CMS and plugins updated, as part of your basic website maintenance.

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What should you do if plugin updates don't appear?

Ideally, your plugins and core WordPress CMS should update themselves automatically, but what should you do if that doesn't happen?

Perhaps you read about an update to a plugin, theme, or design pattern in a WordPress blog or on one of the WordPress CMS support groups, but you didn't receive any notification on your management dashboard. Or maybe you’re searching for an update that didn't appear.

When plugin updates don't take place automatically, that's usually because it's a premium plugin or (commercial) design pattern that's based on a customized update system. If you're missing plugin updates and wondering what to do about it, we have a golden rule for forcing WordPress CMS to check for new and available updates.

It's a clever little plugin called Force Plugin Updates Check.

How to install Force Plugin Updates Check

To make WordPress CMS check for new available updates on a regular basis, we recommend using a special plugin called Force Plugin Updates Check. Force Plugin Updates Check searches for and initializes updates for both plugins and themes. It's available through the WordPress CMS plugin library, and it's simple to install and set up. We'll walk you through it.

First, follow this link to the Force Plugin Updates Check download page. Click Download and follow the instructions to run the installation files on your WordPress CMS.

Once you've added Force Plugin Updates Check to your WordPress CMS, you'll want to see it in action. In your WordPress Admin Panel top bar, you should see a new button marked Check For Plugin Updates.

Click the button, and you'll see the page refresh. Any updates should immediately show up on your WordPress CMS admin page. It's that simple.

Using Force Plugin Updates Check saves you time and ensures that your WordPress CMS and associated plugins will always be up to date and fully secure. Without it, you might need to get your site to contact the WordPress.org servers, which is inconvenient and only happens when admin is carried out manually. Ain't nobody got time for that.

As managed WordPress hosting experts, we know what we're talking about, whether you need advice on updates or other preventative maintenance, or you are simply battling with a sluggish site. If you're asking what is managed WordPress hosting, it means you can trust us with the entire gamut of WordPress questions, so the only one left is... why aren't we hosting your WordPress site yet? Click below and join us.

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