How to update WooCommerce plugins without breaking the site

When it comes to running a WooCommerce store, keeping your plugins up to date is crucial for maintaining security, performance, and compatibility with the latest features. However, updating plugins can sometimes be risky. A new plugin version might introduce unexpected issues or even break your site if it’s not handled properly.

But don’t worry! With a few careful steps and best practices, you can update your WooCommerce plugins with confidence, ensuring that your site continues to function smoothly. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a simple and effective process for updating WooCommerce plugins without breaking your website.

Why is Updating WooCommerce Plugins Important?

Before we dive into the process, let’s first look at why it’s so important to keep your WooCommerce plugins up to date:

1. Security: Updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Keeping your plugins up to date helps protect your store from potential security breaches.
2. Performance: Updates can improve the speed and efficiency of the plugin, providing a better experience for both store owners and customers.
3. Bug Fixes: New releases often fix bugs or issues that were present in previous versions, ensuring that your store runs smoothly.
4. New Features: Plugin updates often introduce new features or improvements, which can help enhance your store’s functionality and competitiveness.

Steps to Update WooCommerce Plugins Without Breaking the Site

1. Back Up Your Website

Before you start any updates, always back up your website—this is the most critical step. If something goes wrong, you’ll be able to restore your website to its previous state.

• Database Backup: Ensure that you back up your WooCommerce database, which contains all your product, order, and customer data.
• File Backup: Create a backup of your website files, including themes, plugins, and media uploads.
• Use Backup Plugins: Tools like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy can automate the backup process and make restoring your site easier if anything goes wrong.

2. Update WooCommerce and WordPress Core First

Before updating any individual plugins, ensure that WooCommerce and WordPress are up to date. Keeping the core platform updated ensures compatibility with the latest plugins and prevents issues that might arise from outdated software.

• WordPress Update: Navigate to the “Dashboard” > “Updates” section in your WordPress admin panel and click on “Update Now” if a new version is available.
• WooCommerce Update: Check the same section for any available updates for WooCommerce. Click “Update Now” to ensure you’re running the latest version of the plugin.

3. Test Updates on a Staging Site

If you have a staging site (a clone of your live site), you can test plugin updates there first. This will allow you to check for compatibility issues, broken functionalities, or conflicts before making changes to your live site.

• Create a Staging Site: Many hosting providers, such as SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine, offer easy one-click staging environments. If you don’t have a staging site, use plugins like WP Staging to create a copy of your site.
• Update Plugins on the Staging Site: Once your staging site is set up, you can update WooCommerce and other plugins. Check if everything is working properly, including the checkout process, product pages, and payment gateways.
• Run Tests: Test all your store’s functionalities, including adding products to the cart, checking out, and applying any discount codes or payment methods.

4. Review Plugin Changelog and Compatibility

Before updating, check the plugin changelog and compatibility details to understand what changes the update includes. Most plugin developers provide detailed release notes, which tell you if there are any breaking changes, added features, or bug fixes.

• Read Plugin Changelog: This will give you an idea of any major changes in the new plugin version that could affect your store.
• Check for Compatibility: Ensure that the plugin update is compatible with your current version of WooCommerce and WordPress.

5. Update Plugins One by One

Instead of bulk updating all plugins at once, it’s safer to update them one by one. This approach allows you to isolate issues if something goes wrong.

• Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins: In your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. You will see a list of plugins with updates available.
• Update Plugins Individually: Click “Update Now” next to each plugin to ensure smooth updates without risking compatibility issues.
• Check for Errors: After each update, check your site for any errors or issues. Test key functionalities such as product pages, checkout process, and payment gateways.

6. Clear Cache and Test Your Site

After updating your plugins, clear your website’s cache (including any caching plugins you may be using) and browser cache to ensure that the latest version of your site is displayed correctly.

• Clear Site Cache: If you’re using caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, clear the cache to refresh your site’s content.
• Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, the browser may display cached content. Clear your browser cache or use incognito mode to view the latest changes.
• Test Key Functionalities: Perform a complete site check, focusing on essential functions like shopping cart, product pages, checkout, and payment gateways to ensure they’re still working as expected.

7. Monitor for Errors or Performance Issues

After the update, monitor your site for any potential errors or performance issues. You can use tools like Google Search Console or Error Log Monitor to track issues that arise. Also, make sure your site’s loading speed hasn’t been affected.

• Error Logs: Check your server’s error logs to ensure no new errors have appeared after updating.
• Performance Tools: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your site’s performance and loading speed.

8. Revert to the Backup if Something Goes Wrong

If you do encounter issues after updating, don’t panic. Simply restore your website from the backup you created earlier. This will bring your site back to its previous state, allowing you to troubleshoot the issue without risking further problems.

• Restore from Backup: Use your backup plugin to restore your site’s files and database.
• Identify the Problem: If you notice issues after the update, investigate the plugin’s changelog or contact the plugin developer for help.

Final Thoughts

Updating your WooCommerce plugins is essential for maintaining the health, security, and functionality of your online store. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can minimize the risk of breaking your site during plugin updates. Regular backups, testing updates on a staging site, and updating plugins one by one are key practices that can help you keep your store running smoothly and avoid downtime or issues.

Remember, if you’re ever unsure or something goes wrong, don’t hesitate to seek help from a developer or WooCommerce support.