As 2025 draws to a close, many business owners are looking ahead to the new year. While you’re planning goals and budgets, there’s one area that often gets overlooked: your website.
Your WordPress site is one of your most valuable business assets, but if it’s not up-to-date, it could hold you back in 2026. From security and performance to design and user experience, a few smart updates now can make sure your website is ready to work harder for you in the year ahead.
Here are the key WordPress updates every business should make before 2026.
1. Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
Out-of-date software is the number one cause of security issues and broken functionality in WordPress. Make sure you’re running the latest version of WordPress core, along with updated themes and plugins. Not only does this improve security, it also ensures compatibility with new features and technologies.
2. Check Site Speed and Performance
In 2026, slow websites will have an even harder time competing. Google’s ranking systems continue to prioritise speed and user experience. Run a site speed test and address issues such as large images, unused plugins, or poor hosting. Even shaving a second off your load time can improve conversions.
3. Review Your Website’s Design
Design trends move quickly online. If your site hasn’t had a visual refresh in years, it might look outdated compared to competitors. Consider whether your branding, layouts, and typography still reflect your business today — and more importantly, whether they engage your audience.
4. Test Mobile Responsiveness
With the majority of browsing happening on mobile devices, your website must look and function perfectly on all screen sizes. Test your site across phones and tablets. Fixing mobile menu glitches, text sizing, or broken layouts will boost both user experience and search rankings.
5. Strengthen Website Security
Cyber threats are evolving fast. Install a robust security plugin, set up two-factor authentication, and review your backup systems. A hacked site can be costly — not just in money, but in lost trust. Prevention is always cheaper than recovery.
6. Refresh Your Content
Take stock of your site’s pages, blog posts, and imagery. Are your services and prices accurate? Do you have outdated information or old blog posts that need updating? Fresh, relevant content sends positive signals to both users and search engines.
7. Review Hosting and Support
The right hosting is critical for performance, uptime, and security. If you’re on cheap or outdated hosting, now is the time to upgrade. Many businesses also benefit from pairing hosting with a support plan, ensuring updates, backups, and troubleshooting are taken care of all year round.
Ready for a Strong Start in 2026?
Your website is your online shopfront — and it deserves attention before the new year. By making these updates now, you’ll set your business up for better visibility, improved security, and a stronger online presence in 2026.
At Neil Phillips Design, I help businesses build, maintain, and improve WordPress websites that work harder for them. Whether you need a simple health check or a full redesign, I can help you get ready for the year ahead.
Contact me today to book a free 5-point website health check and start 2026 with confidence.
