WooCommerce Update Manager: Should you use it?

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Have you noticed that almost every piece of software you use is constantly prompting you to update? Do you get the urge to ignore them? Do they really matter? Is it actually true that failing to run updates makes it more likely that your WooCommerce store will get hacked? 

Well, yes, actually, it is. 

If you don’t keep WordPress, the WooCommerce plugin, and all accompanying extensions up to date, things really can go really wrong — and fast. 

Luckily, the WooCommerce Update Manager enables you to run automatic updates for themes and extensions from the Woo Marketplace. This makes it easier to keep software up-to-date since you don’t need to do it manually. 

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons to perform regular updates. Then, we’ll do a deep dive into the WooCommerce Update Manager and share some tips to make WooCommerce more efficient. 

Why should you update your WooCommerce store regularly?

Before we talk about the WooCommerce Update Manager, let’s look at the importance of regularly updating your online store. 

Here are some of the reasons you should keep WooCommerce (and its components) up to date: 

• Security: New software often includes bug fixes and patches for existing security vulnerabilities. This stops hackers from exploiting old software and using it as an access point to your site.
• Compatibility: WooCommerce stores consist of WordPress core, themes, plugins, and extensions. Updates ensure that all of these components continue to work smoothly and don’t conflict with one another. 
• Performance: Developers optimize code and streamline functionality with each new release. So, updates can result in faster loading times and a better user experience for your visitors. 
• New features: Updates may contain new features or functionality that can enhance your store. This might include advanced inventory management processes or an optimized checkout experience.

Typically, you’ll need to manually initiate updates for WooCommerce themes and extensions. To do this, go to Dashboard → Updates to see what updates are available. In the image below, the red circles indicate the number of available updates:

Check the box beside each relevant item and click on Update Themes or Update Plugins. You should also receive notifications in the dashboard when updates are available.

The downside of this method is that it relies on human input, and it can be easy to forget to run updates. You’ll need to regularly log into your WordPress admin dashboard to check whether any are available. 

What is the WooCommerce Update Manager?

The WooCommerce Update Manager is a relatively new extension that connects your Woo Marketplace themes and extensions to WooCommerce servers. This tool then allows you to set up automatic updates for these specific items.

The Update Manager was released with WooCommerce version 8.8 and it also includes new ways for installing purchased extensions and themes. 

There are several benefits to using the WooCommerce Update Manager. Naturally, it enhances update efficiency since you no longer need to initiate updates manually. Plus, it ensures that your store has access to all the new features and functions available.

If you haven’t yet done so, you’ll want to update WooCommerce to version 8.8 and install the Update Manager. If you have any Woo Marketplace themes or extensions on your site, they won’t update properly without the Update Manager.

Do I need to use the WooCommerce Update Manager?

If you have an active subscription for Woo Marketplace themes or extensions, you’ll need to install the WooCommerce Update Manager. This will enable updates to run automatically, but you’ll still be able to manually initiate updates in the WordPress dashboard as you usually would.

The only users who don’t need to install the Update Manager are those who wish to perform manual updates. This means that you’ll download the new zip file from WooCommerce.com when it’s available. Then, you’ll have to upload the theme or extension file to your store, and manually run the update in the WordPress dashboard.

If you choose not to install the WooCommerce Update Manager after updating to WooCommerce 8.8, you won’t be able to update your themes and extensions from within WordPress. Instead, you’ll have to download the zip file from WooCommerce as described above. 

How to install the WooCommerce Update Manager

If you have an active subscription from Woo Marketplace, when you update to WooCommerce 8.8 you should see a notice or banner in the WordPress dashboard to install the Update Manager. 

Alternatively, when you connect your site to WooCommerce.com, it should automatically install the Update Manager for you. You’ll see a brief message notifying you that it’s being installed, followed by a “success” page when the process is complete (this should be very quick).

You can then manage the tool by navigating to WooCommerce → Extensions → My subscriptions. You’ll see something like this:

Here, you’ll be able to check the extension’s renewal status as well as its version number.

If you click on the three dots under the Actions column, you can navigate to either WooCommerce.com or your plugins page to make changes, as shown below:

On your Plugins page, you’ll see that the WooCommerce Update Manager functions just like any other plugin:

Here, you can Enable auto-updates or you can keep this feature turned off.

Are updates forced if I use the WooCommerce Update Manager?

While the WooCommerce Update Manager lets you enable automatic updates, it doesn’t force updates on your site. In fact, the Woo support team is actively against forced updates. 

As the name suggests, forced updates kick off without your consent. This means they can take place at any date or time, and catch you unaware. This can result in loss of data or functionality on your site. A bad update can also have a negative impact on the user experience, and you’ll need to take action to resolve the issues before it can do further damage. 

It’s important to note that automatic updates and forced updates are not the same. When you install the WooCommerce Update Manager, you’ll have the option to enable automatic updates. You can also disable them at any time. 

Automatic updates for WooCommerce and Woo extensions work the same way as automatic updates for WordPress plugins and themes. These updates run in the background, so you don’t have to do anything. But, you can turn them off at any time.

This feature was introduced to keep WooCommerce updates compliant with WordPress.org guidelines. Therefore, the new Update Manager extension is designed to ensure safe and efficient updates. It won’t alter the way you usually interact with your site. 

How to safely update your WooCommerce store

The WooCommerce Update Manager can improve the security and performance of your store. But there are some important factors to consider when updating your software. 

Here are some best practices for carrying out safe updates in WooCommerce:

• Make a fresh backup: Backups give you peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you can replace your site files with clean, up-to-date copies. This means that you won’t lose any vital data like inventory, orders, or customer information. You can use a plugin like Jetpack to make backups. Since it saves your store in real time, this protects you even if you turn on automatic updates.
• Perform updates in a staging environment: Before you run the update on your live site, it’s best to execute it in a staging environment to make sure it’s safe. If it isn’t, your live site will remain unaffected and you can still process orders. Many WooCommerce hosting providers offer staging sites with their plans. 
• Test functionality: Once the update is complete, it’s a good idea to test your site to make sure everything works as it should. This includes payment gateways, checkout and cart pages, order and contact forms, and more.

Although these steps will be sufficient for most store owners, there are other ways to handle updates safely. Clearing your site and server cache ensures that everything is up-to-date for both new and returning visitors.

You can also run updates during off-peak hours. This way, any potential issues will have minimal impact on visitors and sales.

If you have a particularly complex setup, you might consider hiring a developer to handle updates. This can be especially helpful if you use custom code, templates, or third-party integrations, since there’s a higher probability of encountering compatibility issues.

Other ways to make your WooCommerce store more efficient

Automatic updates enable you to streamline your workflow and make your WooCommerce store more efficient. But there are other things you can do to enhance your store and business operations. For instance, you can automate all marketing emails and SMS messages to customers. 

Omnisend for WooCommerce helps you create beautiful signup forms and landing pages. Plus, you can schedule your message for the most opportune moments. 

You’ll find pre-built workflows for cart abandonment, shipping confirmations, and welcome emails. Plus, you’ll get access to fully-customizable email templates. And, you can segment your audience to target your marketing efforts to the right people.

Another way to improvise efficiency is to offer a seamless checkout process. This can improve the user experience and remove the barriers that stand in the way of customers completing a sale. 

For instance, you might customize the existing checkout page to offer a one-click checkout. You could also add different payment methods, including “buy now, pay later” options like Klarna, so that customers are able to choose the most convenient option for them. 

Finally, it’s a good idea to implement an accessible customer support service on your website, like a live chat. This enables customers to easily reach out to you and get immediate purchase support. Plus, they won’t have to write a lengthy email or try to call you during office hours. 

Grow your store with the power of automation

Keeping software up-to-date is a key part of WooCommerce maintenance, just like adding new products, keeping an eye on security, and regularly testing checkout processes. After all, it plays a role in the security, stability, and performance of your store. 

The WooCommerce Update Manager plugin can automatically update the themes and extensions that you’ve installed via the Woo Marketplace.

You can access this feature when you install WooCommerce version 8.8. If you don’t use it, you’ll have to update your software manually, through your hosting provider. While automatic updates improve the overall efficiency of your shop, it isn’t the only strategy you can use.

If you’re looking to streamline your workflow, you should also start using a marketing automation tool. Designed specifically for online stores, Omnisend for WooCommerce is an easy-to-use tool that harnesses pre-built workflows for automation through email and SMS. Get started for free today!