Why WordPress versions matter

Why does the version of WordPress you’re running matter more than you might think?

If you’ve ever thought that WordPress is WordPress — no matter the version — you’re not alone. It’s easy to assume that once your site is up and running, the version it’s built on is just a technical detail. But here’s the thing: that tiny number in your dashboard actually has a big impact on your site’s security, performance, and compatibility.

WordPress is constantly evolving. New versions bring not just shiny features, but also vital security patches, bug fixes, and under-the-hood improvements that help your site run smoothly. Skipping updates might seem harmless, especially if everything looks fine. But beneath the surface, outdated versions are often full of known vulnerabilities—ones that hackers actively look for.

In this series, we’ll walk you through why staying up to date isn’t just a best practice—it’s essential. From learning how to check your version to understanding what happens when you skip updates, you’ll get a clear view of how much a version number really matters.