WooCommerce
Executing WooCommerce updates safely
4 December 2024 · 6 min read
WooCommerce updates are a double-edged sword. On one hand they contain important security patches and new features. On the other hand an update can damage your webshop, disrupt payments and cost revenue. The right approach is essential.
At WP Maintainer we execute WooCommerce updates weekly with a proven protocol. In this article we share our approach.
The risks of WooCommerce updates
Our approach: 7 steps
**Step 1: Backup** Make a complete backup of files AND database. Test the backup by performing a restore on a test environment.
**Step 2: Read the changelog** Check what has changed. Pay attention to: - Database migrations - Template changes - API changes - Deprecated functions
**Step 3: Test on staging** Copy your live webshop to a staging environment. Perform the update here first. Test thoroughly: - Product pages - Shopping cart - Checkout (with test payments) - My account - Order confirmations - Email notifications
**Step 4: Check extensions** Test all WooCommerce extensions: - Payment gateways (Mollie, Stripe, PayPal) - Shipping plugins - Accounting integrations - Membership plugins - Subscription plugins
**Step 5: Theme check** Check whether your theme still works correctly. Pay attention to: - Product page layout - Shopping cart display - Checkout form - Account pages
**Step 6: Update live** If everything works on staging, perform the update live: - Choose a quiet moment (few visitors) - Put the webshop in maintenance mode - Perform the update - Immediately test the critical paths (add product, checkout) - Remove the maintenance mode
**Step 7: Monitor** Monitor the first 24 hours after the update: - Check whether orders come in - Check whether payments are successful - Monitor error logs - Ask customers for feedback on problems
What if something goes wrong?
Do you not have a staging environment or are you running into problems? WP Maintainer offers professional WooCommerce support. We perform updates safely, test thoroughly and offer 24/7 emergency help with problems.