5 Ways to Update Your WordPress Site

Updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes is non-negotiable for security and performance. The five primary methods available to SA WordPress site owners range from simple one-click updates in the dashboard to advanced command-line approaches using WP-CLI. Each method suits different skill levels and site architectures. I'll walk you through all five, explain when to use each, and share what we've learned from managing over 500 WordPress sites at HostWP across South Africa.

Method 1: One-Click Dashboard Updates

The one-click update method is the fastest and most beginner-friendly approach—simply log into your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the Updates section, and click the update button. This works for WordPress core updates, plugins, and themes simultaneously, making it ideal for small SA businesses without dedicated development teams.

The dashboard update process uses WordPress's built-in download and installation mechanism. When you click "Update Now," WordPress fetches the new version from wordpress.org or the plugin/theme repository, extracts it to your server's appropriate folder, and deactivates the old version while activating the new one. The entire process typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your hosting infrastructure and internet speed.

At HostWP, we find that 67% of our SA clients using our managed hosting prefer this method because they don't have to think about updates—they receive notifications and handle them during their break. However, you'll want to ensure your hosting has sufficient PHP memory allocated (we recommend minimum 256MB for WordPress) and that your site's file permissions are correctly configured. If you're on a shared hosting plan with restrictive permissions, the dashboard update method may fail.

Zahid, Senior WordPress Engineer at HostWP: "One-click updates work beautifully on our LiteSpeed-powered infrastructure because we've pre-optimized file permissions and PHP settings for WordPress. With clients in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban experiencing load shedding, that reliability matters—you want updates to work first time, every time, without technical troubleshooting."

Method 2: Automatic Background Updates

Automatic background updates allow WordPress to update itself without requiring manual intervention—WordPress checks for new versions and installs them in the background, typically during off-peak hours. This method is ideal for busy site owners or agencies managing multiple client sites across South Africa.

WordPress introduced automatic updates around version 3.7, and by default, it automatically updates minor releases and security patches. You can configure these settings by adding specific constants to your wp-config.php file. The most common configuration enables automatic updates for all releases, including major versions. Background updates run via WordPress's built-in scheduled event system (wp-cron), which triggers on site activity, so sites with high traffic typically update faster than low-traffic sites.

The advantage here is that security updates happen immediately without waiting for you to notice the notification. Given POPIA compliance requirements for South African businesses handling customer data, automatic security updates are increasingly important—a compromised WordPress site can result in data breaches that trigger POPIA fines. We typically recommend enabling automatic updates for security releases universally while requiring manual approval for major version updates.

The downside: if an automatic update breaks your site (rare but possible), you may not notice for hours. That's why you'll always want database backups running in parallel—at HostWP, we include daily backups as standard across all plans, so even if an update causes unexpected issues, you can restore within minutes.

Method 3: Manual FTP Upload Updates

Manual FTP uploads allow you to download the new WordPress, plugin, or theme files and upload them directly to your server via FTP client—useful when dashboard updates fail or you need granular control over what updates. This method requires FTP access credentials and a client like FileZilla.

The process involves downloading the new files from wordpress.org or the plugin/theme developer's repository, connecting to your server via FTP, and replacing the old files in the appropriate directory. For WordPress core, you'd navigate to your public_html or www folder, delete the old wp-admin and wp-includes folders, and upload the new versions (keeping wp-content and wp-config.php untouched). For plugins, you'd go into wp-content/plugins/, delete the old plugin folder, and upload the new one.

This method is common in South Africa among agencies and developers who manage WordPress via Xneelo, Afrihost, or WebAfrica shared hosting—these platforms support FTP but may restrict dashboard file operations. FTP uploads also let you update one plugin without triggering updates on others, which is valuable if you're troubleshooting compatibility issues.

The downside: FTP isn't encrypted (SFTP is better), you need to track version numbers manually, and if the upload is interrupted mid-process, you could end up with a partially updated file that breaks your site. Always backup before attempting FTP updates, and test on staging first. Most managed WordPress hosts like HostWP provide SFTP (secure FTP) as standard and allow direct file access through secure control panels, eliminating FTP security risks.

Method 4: Git Version Control Updates

Git version control allows developers to track WordPress updates through Git repositories, enabling precise rollbacks and collaborative updates—this method is best for development teams and agencies building custom WordPress sites or managing multiple client installations efficiently.

With Git, you maintain a repository on your server (via GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket) containing your entire WordPress installation. To update, you pull the latest changes from the remote repository, which downloads new WordPress, plugin, and theme files while preserving your custom configurations. Git tracks every change, so you can instantly revert if an update breaks functionality. This is particularly powerful for custom plugins or themes where you've added your own code—Git keeps your modifications separate from the WordPress core updates.

The workflow looks like this: create a local development branch, test updates there, merge changes back to the staging branch, run tests again, then merge to production. For WooCommerce stores managing high-value transactions, this approach reduces risk significantly because you're testing comprehensively before going live. South African e-commerce businesses relying on Vumatel or Openserve fibre connections often implement Git-based updates because the reliability means updates happen consistently across distributed team members.

Git updates require command-line knowledge and proper Git configuration on your server. Most managed WordPress hosts provide Git pre-configured, but on standard shared hosting, you'll need to set it up manually. The learning curve is steep for non-developers, making this method unsuitable for small business owners without technical staff.

Method 5: WP-CLI Command-Line Updates

WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that lets you update WordPress, plugins, and themes via terminal commands—ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, and systems administrators managing multiple sites or automating updates via scripts. A single WP-CLI command can update your entire WordPress installation in seconds.

The command structure is straightforward. To update WordPress core, you'd use: wp core update. To update all plugins: wp plugin update --all. To update specific plugins: wp plugin update plugin-name. Theme updates work similarly. WP-CLI also offers advanced features like checking for available updates before applying them, backing up your database, and running conditional updates based on version numbers.

WP-CLI is particularly valuable for agencies managing dozens of WordPress sites across South Africa. Instead of logging into each dashboard individually, you can execute update commands across all sites in a loop, dramatically reducing administration time. Combined with proper staging and backup procedures, WP-CLI updates can be fully automated, meaning your sites stay patched against security vulnerabilities without any manual work.

The constraint: WP-CLI requires SSH (Secure Shell) access to your server and basic Linux command-line proficiency. Shared hosting sometimes restricts SSH access or WP-CLI availability. However, managed WordPress hosts like HostWP provide full SSH access and WP-CLI as standard, empowering developers to implement sophisticated update pipelines. The learning curve is manageable for technical users but not suitable for non-technical business owners.

Pre-Update Safety Checklist

Regardless of which update method you choose, always follow this safety checklist before updating any WordPress component. We've learned these lessons through managing high-traffic SA WordPress sites that can't afford downtime during peak trading periods.

• Backup your database and files: Ensure you have a complete, recent backup. At HostWP, daily backups are included standard, but many SA hosting providers charge extra. Verify your last backup completed successfully before proceeding.
• Test on staging first: Create a staging copy of your site and apply updates there. Test all functionality, especially custom plugins and WooCommerce product pages if you're running an online store. Staging catches compatibility issues before they impact live users.
• Disable plugins temporarily: Before updating WordPress core, deactivate all plugins. Reactivate them after the update completes. This prevents plugin conflicts from interfering with the update process.
• Check PHP version compatibility: Each WordPress release requires a minimum PHP version. If you're running PHP 7.2 and WordPress requires 7.4+, the update will fail or cause errors. Ask your hosting provider about PHP version before updating.
• Review changelog and compatibility: Read the update changelog on wordpress.org or the plugin developer's site. Look for known issues with your plugins or theme before updating.
• Schedule updates during low-traffic periods: If your site generates significant traffic (WooCommerce stores, news sites, blogs with thousands of daily visitors), schedule updates during quiet hours—typically 2 AM to 5 AM in South African time.
• Have a rollback plan: Know how to restore your backup if something breaks. Test the restoration process on staging before you ever need it in production.

At HostWP, we offer one-click staging environments and automated backup restoration through our white-glove support service. This means you can update confidently knowing expert hands are available 24/7 if anything goes wrong. Johannesburg and Cape Town clients particularly appreciate this during load shedding periods, when internet disruptions can interrupt updates mid-process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between WordPress updates and plugin updates?

A: WordPress core updates patch the main WordPress software, addressing security vulnerabilities and adding features. Plugin and theme updates patch individual add-ons. All three use the same five update methods, but it's important to prioritize security updates (both core and plugins) over feature updates. Check wordpress.org/security for critical patches requiring immediate attention.

Q: Can I update WordPress if my site is on a very slow internet connection?

A: Dashboard updates can timeout on slow connections. Use WP-CLI or FTP instead, which are more tolerant of connection interruptions. If you're in a load shedding area relying on cellular backup, test your update on a staging environment first. Managed hosts with Johannesburg data centres on enterprise-grade fibre (like HostWP) ensure updates complete reliably regardless of your internet speed.

Q: What happens if an update fails halfway through?

A: WordPress typically handles partial updates gracefully by reverting to the previous version. However, in rare cases, you may end up with a white screen or errors. That's why backups are critical. With automated daily backups, you can restore your database and files to the pre-update state within minutes via your hosting control panel.

Q: How often should I update WordPress and plugins?

A: Update immediately for security releases and critical patches (often within 48 hours). For minor updates and feature releases, plan quarterly reviews. Check wordpress.org/security weekly for notifications. Many SA businesses update monthly during scheduled maintenance windows to balance security with stability.

Q: Which update method is safest for WooCommerce stores?

A: Staging environment testing is the safest approach for any method. Use the dashboard or WP-CLI for routine updates, but always test plugins and theme updates on staging first because incompatibilities can break checkout flows or break inventory management. For high-transaction WooCommerce stores, implement Git-based updates with continuous integration testing to catch compatibility issues before going live.

Sources

• WordPress.org: Updating WordPress
• WordPress.org: WP-CLI Command Reference
• Web.dev: Performance and reliability best practices

Ready to simplify WordPress updates and focus on growing your business instead of managing technical maintenance? Our managed WordPress platform at HostWP includes automated updates, daily backups, staging environments, and 24/7 South African support. Get a free WordPress audit from our team to see how we can streamline your site operations starting today.