Key reasons why keeping Craft CMS up-to-date matters

Over the past 10 years, our team of experienced developers has worked on numerous Craft CMS projects, ranging from small business websites to complex, large-scale applications. After spending so much time consistently delivering high-quality, tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients, we have developed a deep understanding of Craft CMS’s architecture and capabilities. One of our biggest takeaways is the importance of keeping the system up-to-date.

There are four main areas to focus on if you want to keep up-to-date with Craft:

1. Security Updates
2. Bug Fixes
3. Plug-ins
4. Support

Let's explore them together!

Security updates

Security standards: They always changing

Security is a moving target. Cybersecurity threats evolve constantly, and the standards for defending against these threats must also adapt. By regularly updating Craft CMS, you can ensure that your website adheres to the latest security protocols, protecting it from newly discovered vulnerabilities and exploits. This proactive approach is essential to safeguard it against potential attacks that could compromise sensitive data.

Compliance depends on the industry

For many businesses, especially those in regulated industries such as finance and healthcare, maintaining compliance with industry standards is crucial. Regulations and compliance requirements are continually evolving to address new security challenges. Regular updates often include enhancements that help ensure your website remains compliant with these ever-changing regulations, avoiding potential legal issues and fines. Staying current with updates helps your business meet the necessary security and privacy standards that your customers expect.

Bug fixes

Bugs are inevitable

No software is without flaws, and Craft CMS is no exception. Bugs can affect the performance and usability of your site, leading to a poor user experience. Regular updates address these issues so that your site can continue to run smoothly and efficiently.

Major bugs that have existed in the Craft space

By keeping your CMS current, you can benefit from the latest fixes, keeping your site free from known issues and improving its overall stability.

Over the years, the Craft CMS team has diligently addressed various bugs, some of which had significant impacts on functionality. For instance, a bug was identified where saving entries with nested elements or complex field configurations would result in critical errors. This bug led to a loss of data and prevented users from saving changes, severely impacting content management workflows​. Needless to say, it's wonderful when a platform proactively fixes these sorts of issues before they become bigger problems.

Plug-ins

New features

The ecosystem of plug-ins available for Craft CMS is extensive, offering a wide range of functionalities. Plug-in developers frequently release updates that introduce new features and improvements. These updates enhance the capabilities of your site, allowing you to implement innovative solutions that meet your business needs. Keeping Craft CMS on the cutting edge means that these plug-ins will work seamlessly, allowing you to take advantage of their latest capabilities.

A notable plug-in that adds a new feature to Craft CMS is the Asset Usage plug-in. Once installed, the plug-in shows you which assets are being used somewhere on the site and which aren't. This is very handy for identifying what can be removed to save on storage space and to declutter the asset library. In fact, some plug-ins like the Craft 4 Inventory plug-in add features that are so useful that they get included in the next major release of Craft!

Older plug-ins and breaks

Outdated plug-ins can pose risks, including security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. Some plug-ins may be deprecated or no longer supported, which can lead to breaks in your site’s functionality. Regular updates help identify and replace these sunset plug-ins, preventing potential issues and ensuring your site remains functional and secure.

Major Craft releases

Don't get stuck with an end-of-life (EOL) version

As of this month, Craft 4 will be EOL in nine months and Craft 3 has already reached EOL. With that in mind, if you're running Craft 3 or even Craft 4, it's important to start planning your upgrade to Craft 5. Choosing the most recent major version means that you'll receive the newest features, have availability to the latest and greatest plug-ins, and will receive all security and bug fixes from the Craft CMS development team.

Craft 5: Something to get excited about

The latest major release, Craft 5, brings several exciting new features that enhance productivity and the user experience. Some of our favorite features include:

• Enhanced content editing tools: Improved tools that make content creation and management more intuitive and efficient.
   
• Advanced customization options: New options that allow developers to create highly customized websites tailored to specific needs.
   
• Improved performance: Optimizations that enhance site speed and responsiveness, providing a better user experience.

Support

The more up-to-date Craft instance, the better and more accurate support you'll get

Using the latest version of Craft CMS ensures that you receive the best possible support. The Craft CMS community and official support channels prioritize users on the most recent version of the software.

Accurate and timely assistance is more readily available, and documentation is up-to-date with the latest features and fixes. This means that when you encounter issues or have questions, the support you receive will be relevant and effective, helping you resolve problems quickly.

Why you might choose Craft CMS

1. Flexibility and customization: Craft CMS is known for its flexibility, allowing developers to create highly customized websites tailored to specific needs without being constrained by the CMS. This level of customization is a significant advantage for businesses that require unique functionality and design.
    
2. User-friendly interface: The intuitive and clean interface makes it easy for content managers to navigate and manage content without extensive technical knowledge. This user-friendly approach reduces the learning curve and allows team members to work more efficiently.
    
3. Developer-friendly: Craft CMS is built with developers in mind, offering robust APIs and the ability to create custom plug-ins and modules easily. This developer-friendly environment fosters innovation and allows for the development of tailored solutions that meet specific business requirements.
    
4. Scalability: Whether you’re running a small blog or a large e-commerce site, Craft CMS can scale to meet your needs, handling large volumes of content and traffic efficiently. This scalability ensures that your site can grow with your business, providing a reliable platform for your online presence.
    
5. Strong community: The Craft CMS community is active and supportive, providing a wealth of resources, tutorials, and forums where users can share knowledge and solutions. This strong community support network is invaluable for troubleshooting issues and finding inspiration for new features and improvements.

Keeping Craft CMS up-to-date is vital for maintaining the security, functionality, and performance of your website. Regular updates bring essential security patches, bug fixes, new features, and guarantee compatibility with plug-ins. Additionally, Craft CMS stands out from other CMS tools due to its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and strong community support, making it an excellent choice for many users. By staying current with updates, you can fully leverage the power of Craft CMS and ensure your website remains a reliable and dynamic platform for your content.

If you're looking for a partner to start you on your Craft CMS journey, upgrade your Craft CMS instance, or if you want to talk about the advantages of the platform, we're here. Just say hello.