Post by sumiseo558899 on Nov 7, 2024 9:41:17 GMT 3
Why update a website template, how often should it be done, and what will happen if it is not updated at all – all website owners ask themselves these questions sooner or later. In this article, I, Kirill Kuznetsov, a web developer at the Original Works digital agency, tried to answer them in detail.
When we talk about updating something in principle, for example, updating the core of the system on which the site operates, or updating a module to solve a specific problem, then we are talking primarily about improving functionality, both from the end user and from the site owner. This content writing service
can be an improvement in design - it becomes relevant and convenient - or it can be the addition of additional functions that make it easier for users to interact with the system. From the development and technical support side, this is the elimination of identified bugs, as well as facilitating/simplifying site support with the help of additional site management tools.
Why and how often to update a website template
If we are talking about a third-party solution, then it is advisable to update the site template every time new updates appear. Developers constantly identify new errors in the template (this is normal), improve and refine it. Accordingly, installing the update will eliminate these errors and add new features to the site - useful functions.
If you don't update the template every time a new version comes out, then in theory nothing catastrophic may happen. If everyone is currently happy with the current design and functionality, everything works without errors, the server environment is in place, then the site will work as before - with the only downside that over time it may become "morally" and visually outdated. But that's in theory.
But that's in theory. In practice, we see that technologies are constantly evolving - what worked yesterday in terms of data processing on the server or in the browser may no longer work today. Developers have to constantly make changes to the code so that everything works smoothly, without interruptions, otherwise the site may simply hang with errors.
It is important to remember that updating the template is also about the site's security. That is why it is recommended not to delay its installation.
Benefits of installing updates in a timely manner:
The site will work as it should, without interruptions, because the errors found will be fixed in time, which means that users will not suffer from the strange quirks of the site.
The site will be protected from hacking. The developers eliminate not only errors, but also found vulnerabilities in the security of the system or solution. This means that the site owner will not lose his data.
A serious problem can arise if you skip several update versions in a row and try to install the “freshest” one. The owner of the site may not update it for a long time, but at some point decide that “it’s time”, and then all the “interesting” things will begin. After a long break, it is unlikely that you will be able to install the update easily and quickly: due to the requirements for the new server environment and the rules for writing code, various problems will start to pop up without preliminary preparation. This threatens to turn into the creation of a new site based on the current one, which will result in a large amount of work and, accordingly, in their considerable cost.
What else can cause problems during the update?
Let's say the site owner periodically updates the template, can something go wrong in this case? It can. For example, an illiterate choice of a contractor to carry out modifications on a template site can lead to problems. The thing is, a site, as a rule, "lives its own life", i.e. a ready-made solution rarely completely satisfies the client, and then the site is improved, modified to suit his tasks. And it is extremely important to do this competently and without errors, so it is better to entrust this task to a professional.
There are certain standards by which a website should be modified, but unfortunately, not everyone takes them into account. It is important to follow the standards so that nothing breaks when updating the template, both on the system side and on the solutions side (website template). If you deviate significantly from the standards, for example, make edits directly to the template core, then when updating, all the edits and modifications made may fly off. And that will not be the worst of it. In the worst case, modifications in the wrong place can cause a conflict of the update code, and the site may stop opening at all until you fix absolutely all the errors.
Be your own programmer
In theory, anyone can install a website template update. But again, in theory. The difficulty of installing an update is that even experienced developers will not be able to foresee all the nuances. But at least when professionals take on the matter, they will be able to solve suddenly arising problems many times faster.
In the template documentation you can find instructions with a step-by-step procedure, which also provides important recommendations, for example:
Before updating, you must make a backup,
check if the system kernel version matches the new template update,
Check if any server settings need to be changed, and what needs to be manually adjusted after the update to make everything work correctly.
But some website owners do not follow these recommendations: either they do not pay attention, or they do not attach importance to them, and then they bite their elbows.
Often users who are not privy to technical details install the update themselves, simply by pressing a “button”, without thinking about the consequences or the preparatory work. Some do it out of ignorance, others do it out of a desire to save money. But this is not the case when you should save money – the costs of identifying and eliminating all the bugs that have arisen can be much higher than the costs of installing the update by a specialist.
In our work, we have encountered similar situations when clients underestimated the complexity of installing an update, did it themselves without preparation, despite our warnings. In the end, they still had to turn to us for help, because the site began to be “replete” with bugs that slowed down all further work on promotion. Because of this, of course, the deadlines were postponed (up to a month) and costs increased, although this could have been avoided by transferring the task of updating to a professional. Yes, you will have to pay a specialist for this work, but it is better to do it once and be sure of the result than to end up, as in the proverb “A miser pays twice.”
If you install the update by simply pressing the “button” without prior preparation, all the problems described above may occur:
All improvements made since the last update may disappear”;
the site may stop working completely if you do not configure the environment to meet the new update requirements (for example, the PHP version needed is 7.4, but the server has 7.1);
the necessary files may not download, as a result of which the update will be installed incorrectly, and the site will open with errors;
if anything happens, it will be impossible to return to the working version unless you make a full backup of the site before updating.
In such cases, only technical specialists will be able to restore the site's operation, but this will require time and money that could be spent, for example, on promoting the site or launching advertising.
So, let's sum it up. For the site to work correctly, you need to follow the following principles:
1. Ensure that work on the site is carried out in accordance with the standards of the system and template that are used;
2. Update the site regularly, strictly according to the instructions of the solution or site system;
3. It is desirable that the work be performed by an experienced specialist;
4. Stick to the Win-win principle. Inform the contractor about all planned changes on the site - the correct operation of your site is in his interests, as well as yours. This will help avoid most errors, save time and budget.
When we talk about updating something in principle, for example, updating the core of the system on which the site operates, or updating a module to solve a specific problem, then we are talking primarily about improving functionality, both from the end user and from the site owner. This content writing service
can be an improvement in design - it becomes relevant and convenient - or it can be the addition of additional functions that make it easier for users to interact with the system. From the development and technical support side, this is the elimination of identified bugs, as well as facilitating/simplifying site support with the help of additional site management tools.
Why and how often to update a website template
If we are talking about a third-party solution, then it is advisable to update the site template every time new updates appear. Developers constantly identify new errors in the template (this is normal), improve and refine it. Accordingly, installing the update will eliminate these errors and add new features to the site - useful functions.
If you don't update the template every time a new version comes out, then in theory nothing catastrophic may happen. If everyone is currently happy with the current design and functionality, everything works without errors, the server environment is in place, then the site will work as before - with the only downside that over time it may become "morally" and visually outdated. But that's in theory.
But that's in theory. In practice, we see that technologies are constantly evolving - what worked yesterday in terms of data processing on the server or in the browser may no longer work today. Developers have to constantly make changes to the code so that everything works smoothly, without interruptions, otherwise the site may simply hang with errors.
It is important to remember that updating the template is also about the site's security. That is why it is recommended not to delay its installation.
Benefits of installing updates in a timely manner:
The site will work as it should, without interruptions, because the errors found will be fixed in time, which means that users will not suffer from the strange quirks of the site.
The site will be protected from hacking. The developers eliminate not only errors, but also found vulnerabilities in the security of the system or solution. This means that the site owner will not lose his data.
A serious problem can arise if you skip several update versions in a row and try to install the “freshest” one. The owner of the site may not update it for a long time, but at some point decide that “it’s time”, and then all the “interesting” things will begin. After a long break, it is unlikely that you will be able to install the update easily and quickly: due to the requirements for the new server environment and the rules for writing code, various problems will start to pop up without preliminary preparation. This threatens to turn into the creation of a new site based on the current one, which will result in a large amount of work and, accordingly, in their considerable cost.
What else can cause problems during the update?
Let's say the site owner periodically updates the template, can something go wrong in this case? It can. For example, an illiterate choice of a contractor to carry out modifications on a template site can lead to problems. The thing is, a site, as a rule, "lives its own life", i.e. a ready-made solution rarely completely satisfies the client, and then the site is improved, modified to suit his tasks. And it is extremely important to do this competently and without errors, so it is better to entrust this task to a professional.
There are certain standards by which a website should be modified, but unfortunately, not everyone takes them into account. It is important to follow the standards so that nothing breaks when updating the template, both on the system side and on the solutions side (website template). If you deviate significantly from the standards, for example, make edits directly to the template core, then when updating, all the edits and modifications made may fly off. And that will not be the worst of it. In the worst case, modifications in the wrong place can cause a conflict of the update code, and the site may stop opening at all until you fix absolutely all the errors.
Be your own programmer
In theory, anyone can install a website template update. But again, in theory. The difficulty of installing an update is that even experienced developers will not be able to foresee all the nuances. But at least when professionals take on the matter, they will be able to solve suddenly arising problems many times faster.
In the template documentation you can find instructions with a step-by-step procedure, which also provides important recommendations, for example:
Before updating, you must make a backup,
check if the system kernel version matches the new template update,
Check if any server settings need to be changed, and what needs to be manually adjusted after the update to make everything work correctly.
But some website owners do not follow these recommendations: either they do not pay attention, or they do not attach importance to them, and then they bite their elbows.
Often users who are not privy to technical details install the update themselves, simply by pressing a “button”, without thinking about the consequences or the preparatory work. Some do it out of ignorance, others do it out of a desire to save money. But this is not the case when you should save money – the costs of identifying and eliminating all the bugs that have arisen can be much higher than the costs of installing the update by a specialist.
In our work, we have encountered similar situations when clients underestimated the complexity of installing an update, did it themselves without preparation, despite our warnings. In the end, they still had to turn to us for help, because the site began to be “replete” with bugs that slowed down all further work on promotion. Because of this, of course, the deadlines were postponed (up to a month) and costs increased, although this could have been avoided by transferring the task of updating to a professional. Yes, you will have to pay a specialist for this work, but it is better to do it once and be sure of the result than to end up, as in the proverb “A miser pays twice.”
If you install the update by simply pressing the “button” without prior preparation, all the problems described above may occur:
All improvements made since the last update may disappear”;
the site may stop working completely if you do not configure the environment to meet the new update requirements (for example, the PHP version needed is 7.4, but the server has 7.1);
the necessary files may not download, as a result of which the update will be installed incorrectly, and the site will open with errors;
if anything happens, it will be impossible to return to the working version unless you make a full backup of the site before updating.
In such cases, only technical specialists will be able to restore the site's operation, but this will require time and money that could be spent, for example, on promoting the site or launching advertising.
So, let's sum it up. For the site to work correctly, you need to follow the following principles:
1. Ensure that work on the site is carried out in accordance with the standards of the system and template that are used;
2. Update the site regularly, strictly according to the instructions of the solution or site system;
3. It is desirable that the work be performed by an experienced specialist;
4. Stick to the Win-win principle. Inform the contractor about all planned changes on the site - the correct operation of your site is in his interests, as well as yours. This will help avoid most errors, save time and budget.