Why is it worth switching to a higher PHP version? How can this speed up your WooCommerce site? Can this help whet your server's limits are exceeded?
WP Desk team always encourages you to use the latest WordPress and plugins versions. Are users are happily updating their scripts but sometimes they forget about checking the PHP version. From the information below you will wind out how why is it worth switching to a higher PHP version and how this can be done.
Performance
Performance tests conducted by Kinsta showed clearly that latest PHP versions are faster in executing WordPress scripts. Performance boost can be even 100%, so when your WordPress site is slow or you are experiencing issues with exceeded memory limit, consider switching to a higher PHP version. These tests result can speak for itself:
source: Kinsta
Security
Since 2017, PHP 5.6 is no longer maintained by developers, and since 2019 the support for PHP 5.6. has been completely dropped. It means that no new security updates and performance patches are released. If there's a security vulnerability detected, it will not be patched. To improve you site's security, please switch to PHP 7.2 or 7.3, which are actively maintained.
How to switch to a higher PHP version
Depending on your hosting company, switching to a higher PHP version may look different. The most popular ways are:
- making a change in your server's admin panel
- editing .htaccess file in the root directory of your site
- editing php.ini file
if you are unsure how to do it, please contact you hosting provider and ask him hwo to do it. You can also lok for information in the support database of your webhosting. Remember that WP Desk recommends using PHP 7.2 or 7.3.
