Do you have WordPress website? There may be trouble ahead!
The reason we’re telling you this now, is because over the last 3 months we’ve had MULTIPLE business owners approaching us asking us if we can help them ‘sort out their website’, some through functionality issues, some with errors, and others containing SERIOUS HACKS & malicious script!
So, to set the scene. In November 2020 PHP 8.0 was released, and I don’t want to get technical, but basically PHP is a fundamental part of the smooth running of your website and could cause some pretty serious issues if not kept up to date.
Why should you keep your PHP up to date? In this guide we’ll cover why you should ensure that your website is running the latest PHP.
What is PHP?
PHP is an open-source programming language that runs on a webserver. It is one of the most popular languages for web development; for example, all WordPress sites run on PHP.
PHP is a server-side script, meaning that it is executed on the webserver, contrary to HTML, which is executed in the browser. By combining PHP with HTML, you can create dynamic websites, for example, sites built with WordPress, Joomla and Drupal.
How often does PHP get updated?
PHP has a ‘shelf life’ of about three years, after which it will not be supported. This is made up of a period of active support for two years, followed by a years of security support.
The best way to explain it in terms you might be aware of, is either iOS or Android, which many of us use on a daily basis on our phones & tablet devices. If you don’t keep up with the latest updates on your phone or tablet, there’s a good chance that soon enough you may no longer be able to use your favourite App, as the App developer has updated the App to work with the newer version, therefore no longer supporting the software version you currently have installed. Worst still, by not updating, you might leave yourself open to security issues.
So, when PHP reaches the end of its shelf life, it will no longer get updated, and it becomes a security risk when using it.
Will the PHP update affect my website?
Whether or not your website will be affected depends on how it is built, but with most CMS systems such as WordPress, the likelihood is that there will be some affect, this could be positive or negative.
If your website is developed using code that is compatible with the new PHP version, your website will function the same or better, and if your website is developed using CMS such as WordPress, you will likely notice some improvements in performance, provided you have updated WordPress to the latest version.
However, if your website is using code that is not supported in the newer version of PHP, then you will certainly experience website errors, with the worst-case scenario being that it won’t work at all.
A word of warning, if there’s a chance your website contains outdated code, you should update your website before considering updating the PHP.
Will a PHP update benefit you?
It most certainly will…there are some serious benefits to you and your customers!
Firstly, and arguably, the most important is the security of your website for both you and the users of your website, largely because the latest versions of PHP will protect better against hackers, and the placement of malicious script within your website structure (often used to harvest user information!)
Secondly, it will most certainly improve the speed of your website, as the PHP versions are geared up for faster response. The faster response gives the user a far better experience when choosing to engage with you, whilst also potential having a positive effect on your SEO. Search engines such as Google do figure website response times within their criteria to a good website.
Finally, the latest version of PHP will open up new features and bring improvements to the functionality of your website. This can be hugely beneficial when trying to communicate your brand voice in a way that the modern day user wants to consume it.