It wasn’t ever so long ago websites could be built and left untouched for an entire year and hardly anyone noticed. Web 2.0 came on the scene and everything began to change.
Literally.
Static websites died and the web became fluid. It changes everyday. Updates are commonplace for desktop apps and WordPress alike. Everyone is blogging, everyone is sharing, everything is on the move.
However, there are plenty of businesses and those in the market for a website that still think the web works like it did ten years ago.
Can’t you just pay for a website and be done with?
Nope.
Are clients happy to make small changes to their web copy? Sure thing! After all, they use Facebook everyday, so they usually are tech savvy enough to do it.
However, there is a misconception that is still carried over from the web of old, that websites can be built and left untouched–without any maintenance.
WordPress Needs Maintenance
As someone who is familiar with WordPress, I’m sure you’re fully aware of the problems that can result in not keeping a WordPress install up to date. Many of the updates to the WordPress core, as well as plugins, have to do with security.
There’s not a lot of things that can be more threatening and dangerous for a shared web server than some ancient, un-updated WordPress installs.
Now, I’m not saying that your WordPress installs need to be on the cutting edge, per se. After all, you can see there are plenty of WordPress users still running on 3.0 and the Internet still seems to be functioning:
Thanks for the screenshot, Tom.
I do, however, believe that the web development community could do themselves a huge favor and do their best to educate their clients in the importance of keeping their shinny new website up to date.
Naturally, there will be those clients that believe it’s just another way to swallow their money, but it isn’t.
Clients need to understand the whole picture, and if we don’t teach them the facts of the web, who will?
I disagree entirely. Here’s a list of security patches: http://wordpress.org/news/category/security/. I count thirteen (13!) since 3.0. I do agree with the basic premise of educating clients on the importance of updating, but I think glossing over security issues does a disservice to clients and to the WordPress community.
I agree with you, Travis.
My point was that you don’t need to be feverish about updating THE DAY OF. After all, you have to give some plugins a little time to catch-up and let the dust settle on a new release. In no way am I advocating NOT updating or nor did I mean to downplay it.
After all, that’s the point of the entire post:
It’s important to educate clients on WordPress updates!
Glad we’re on the same page
Great post, and yes, as a WordPress trainer, it’s something I am educating people on daily
Updates are critical for the reasons stated. With major updates, sure, it wont’ kill you to wait a bit while things catch up, but on small updates, which are mostly security, I do recommend to do them as soon as possible.
I think where the problem lies here is the WordPress people who share the illusion that “WordPress is so easy”. Once you get to know it, sure, things do become easier. But with that comes the responsibility to keep your site maintained.
You said it perfectly. It’s important for the community to educate users. And for those who “sugar coat” it, well, I guess there will always be those looking for the fast buck.
Thanks again for the post!
Well said!
I agree, the persona of “WordPress is so easy” can be overstated–people confusing ‘easy’ with ‘automatic’ … not to be confused with Automattic of course.
As an old coder turned full-time trainer, I truly appreciate where you’re coming from on this post, Eric. I can tell you that 85% of my clients don’t know WP fundamentals, even those that have been blogging for a couple of years. And they all think they’re ready for an advanced class. It’s an uphill battle trying to help clients understand that they are suffering from what they don’t know that they don’t know.
That’s especially true when what Bob mentioned is so splattered all over – that getting a WP site up is so easy and requires no skill. Unfortunately, that’s true. However, having a successful and secure site takes investing in your education or hiring help. Seeing a lot more managed WP firms popping up lately.
Yes! I’ve noticed this tread, too.
85%? Not too shabby.