Updating a WordPress website sounds simple, but it can go wrong surprisingly quickly.
A plugin update, theme update, or WordPress core update can sometimes break layouts, affect forms, create plugin conflicts, or cause parts of the site to stop working properly. That does not mean updates should be avoided. It just means they should be handled carefully.
For small business websites, the safest approach is to follow a simple checklist before and after making updates.
This helps reduce the risk of avoidable problems and makes it much easier to spot issues early if something does go wrong.
Why WordPress updates matter
Keeping a WordPress website updated is important for a few reasons:
- security
- stability
- plugin compatibility
- site performance
- long-term maintenance
Ignoring updates for too long can cause just as many problems as rushing them. The goal is not to update blindly or avoid updates completely. The goal is to update the site in a sensible way.
Before updating your WordPress website
Before making any changes, there are a few things worth checking first.
1. Take a full backup
This is the most important step.
Before updating WordPress core, plugins or themes, make sure you have a recent full backup of the website and database. If something breaks, the backup gives you a recovery point.
A backup is much better than trying to remember what changed after the site starts having problems.
2. Check what is actually being updated
Do not just click update on everything without looking.
Check:
- WordPress core
- installed plugins
- active theme
- plugin change logs if available
- whether anything major is being updated
A small plugin patch is different from a major version change. Bigger updates deserve more caution.
3. Check whether the website is live and business-critical
If the site handles enquiries, bookings, payments or ecommerce, updates should be treated more carefully.
For business-critical websites, avoid updating at a busy time of day if possible. It is better to update when the impact of a temporary issue would be lower.
4. Note the site’s important functions
Before updating, remind yourself what needs testing afterward.
That could include:
- contact forms
- quote forms
- booking forms
- checkout
- product pages
- mobile menu
- homepage banners or sliders
- any custom functionality
This makes the post-update check much easier.
5. Check the PHP version and hosting environment
Some problems happen because a plugin or theme no longer works properly with the site’s current PHP version or server setup.
You do not need to overcomplicate this, but it is worth knowing whether the hosting environment is out of date or whether the site is already running on a fragile setup.
6. Use a staging site if possible
If the website is important and the hosting setup allows it, a staging environment is the safest place to test updates first.
A lot of small business websites do not have this setup, but where it is available, it is worth using.
The safest order to update WordPress
There is no perfect rule for every site, but a cautious order usually works best.
A sensible update order is:
- Take backup
- Update plugins
- Update theme if needed
- Update WordPress core
- Test site functions
Some people prefer a different order, but the real point is to update carefully and test properly after each stage rather than doing everything blindly.
After updating: what to check
Once updates are complete, do not assume everything is fine just because the site still loads.
This is where a lot of problems get missed.
1. Check the homepage
Make sure the homepage still displays correctly.
Look for:
- broken layout sections
- missing images
- text alignment issues
- slider/banner problems
- spacing or styling issues
2. Check the menu and navigation
Menus sometimes break, especially on mobile.
Test:
- main navigation
- dropdowns
- mobile menu
- important page links
3. Test the contact form
This is one of the biggest ones.
A contact form can appear normal but stop sending messages properly after an update. Test it properly by submitting a message and checking that it arrives where it should.
4. Check key service pages
Visit the main pages that matter most to the business.
Check for:
- broken layouts
- missing text or buttons
- formatting issues
- broken internal links
- call-to-action sections still working properly
5. Check the site on mobile
A site can look fine on desktop and still be broken on mobile.
Look at:
- page layout
- text spacing
- buttons
- menus
- forms
- image scaling
6. Check plugin-dependent features
If the site relies on plugins for anything important, test those features directly.
Examples include:
- contact forms
- SEO plugins
- caching plugins
- booking systems
- ecommerce tools
- popups
- page builders
7. Check page speed and front-end loading
The site does not need to be perfect after every update, but if it suddenly feels much slower or parts of the page take longer to load, that is worth investigating.
8. Check for visible errors or warnings
Keep an eye out for:
- PHP warnings
- missing styles
- white screens
- broken widgets
- admin notices suggesting conflicts
Even a small warning can point to a bigger compatibility issue.
Common problems after WordPress updates
A few issues come up regularly after updates.
Plugin conflicts
This is one of the most common problems. One plugin update can clash with another plugin, the theme, or the current version of WordPress.
Broken layouts
This often happens with page builders, custom CSS, or theme-related settings.
Contact forms stopping properly
The form may display, but not send submissions correctly.
Mobile issues
Buttons, menus, spacing or page sections may break on smaller screens.
Slow performance
Caching, scripts, or compatibility issues can make the site feel slower after updates.
Theme issues
A theme update can sometimes change styling or break custom edits if the site was not set up carefully.
What not to do
A few habits cause unnecessary problems.
Do not update everything blindly
This is where avoidable breakages happen.
Do not skip backups
If something breaks badly, a backup can save a lot of stress.
Do not ignore key tests
If you do not test forms, mobile and main pages, you can miss problems that cost real enquiries.
Do not leave the website untouched for years
That usually leads to a site becoming harder to update safely later on.
A simple WordPress update checklist
Here is the short version.
Before updating
- take a full backup
- check what is being updated
- avoid updating at a critical business time
- note important site functions
- use staging if available
During updating
- update carefully in stages
- avoid changing lots of unrelated things at the same time
- keep track of what was updated
After updating
- check homepage
- check menus
- test contact forms
- review key service pages
- test mobile layout
- test plugin-dependent features
- look for visible errors
- check performance
When it is better to get help
If the website is important to the business and you are not confident updating it safely, it is usually better to get help rather than guess.
That is especially true when:
- the website is already unstable
- the site uses lots of plugins
- the theme is old or customised
- forms, bookings or ecommerce are involved
- previous updates have caused problems
A broken business website can quickly become more expensive than the cost of handling updates properly.
Final thoughts
WordPress updates are important, but they should not be treated as a one-click job with no checks.
For a small business website, the safest approach is simple:
- back up first
- update carefully
- test properly afterward
That reduces risk and makes it much easier to keep the website secure, stable and usable over time.
Need help updating or fixing a WordPress website?
I help small businesses with WordPress fixes, updates and practical website support.
That includes:
- plugin and theme issues
- broken layouts
- contact form problems
- mobile issues
- general WordPress fixes
- ongoing website support
If your WordPress website feels fragile, outdated or awkward to maintain, take a look at my website pricing or get in touch.
Need this done properly?
I work directly with small businesses on web design, WordPress fixes, Shopify support and local SEO. No agency overhead.
See web design in Blackburn →