The Case for CMS / eCart Upgrades: Benefits for Website Operators
By Sam PascuaThe Case for CMS / eCart Upgrades: Benefits for Website Operators
It’s a familiar scenario: your web manager is diligently working away at his computer when a pop-up notification appears, saying it’s time to update to a new version of the CMS (content management system) software or e-commerce software. Instinctively and without giving it a second thought, many users click “ignore” or “remind me later,” and continue on with their work. That’s understandable, because upgrading software can be time-intensive, frustrating, and expensive. However, the benefits of upgrading far outweigh these comparatively minor inconveniences. As explained below, operating a website or an online shopping cart with outdated software can lead to potentially disastrous consequences for your business and even for your customers.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of upgrading CMS and eCart software and keeping abreast of developments in the newest available versions. As a successful business owner, you’ll want to regularly update software to newer versions to take advantage of the latest features, continue to receive technical support, maintain security for your website and data, and keep costs down.
Upgrading to Achieve Business Success
Software developers are constantly on the hunt to add new features and benefits to their software packages, thereby increasing the functionality and ease of use for their customers. Like most products, software really does improve over time. In some website design software packages, upgrades include new features like improved organisation and design, additional viewing formats, and inclusion and implementation of new technologies that allow a program to run more quickly or reliably. These new features enable the operator or designer to accomplish programming and design more efficiently, and often at a lower cost.
Purchasing and implementing new versions of software as they are released and introduced to the market ensures that your website and company will stay up-to-date with the latest technology and web trends. Some companies have tried to cut costs by opting out of upgrades. However, this is a risky strategy. Failing to install the upgrades not only impedes your chance of success by not taking advantage of the latest technologies, but also jeopardises your ability to upgrade in the future. Some programs require multiple upgrades over time, and if those upgrades are not performed sequentially and promptly, future versions may not be able to convert your existing data files. Other programs simply do not allow you to upgrade if you have skipped previous upgrades. In these cases, your company is faced with having to do a major overhaul of the software, perhaps even buying an entirely new program.
Another important factor to consider is the type of software that your suppliers, clients and partners are running. If they have upgraded, but you choose not to, then your software may not be compatible with theirs. This could create difficulties in data exchange which could, in turn, lead to decreased sales, increased business costs, and even lost clients
Upgrading to Eliminate Headaches
Although new programs are thoroughly tested before being introduced to the market, occasionally bugs or malfunctions will sneak through the testing process and hinder performance, negatively affecting your website functionality. Even if the bug is relatively minor, it probably hampers optimal performance for the user and may become a more serious problem for your business down the road.
Over time, software operators identify these bugs and report them back to the developers. Solutions are created and introduced to the program, but you will receive and benefit from those corrective solutions only if you choose to upgrade the software.
Also, if your business ever requires technical support from the developer or manufacturer, you may be required to be operating the latest version of the program before you are eligible for online chat or phone support. Most software companies do provide adequate support and troubleshooting, but some companies do this for only a limited period of time, so it is important to be running the latest version of their programs.
Upgrading to Stay Secure
Recently, a popular software program suddenly urged its users to upgrade immediately to an alternate version of the program. Older versions of the program wre coming under “attack,” which caused critical infections in users’ databases and jeopardised the privacy of all stored customer data. The upgrade offered significantly increased security measures and websites that had already switched to the new version were not in danger. However, businesses that were still operating under the previous version were vulnerable to the attack and had to act quickly to protect themselves and their customers.
Older versions of software are much more susceptible to security hazards, because they don’t contain the latest security patches. Computer hackers have spent time developing automated code to hack existing sites and programs, but they haven’t yet had enough time or access to hack into the newest versions. Keeping abreast of program upgrades and upgrading to new versions whenever they are offered will help to keep you one step ahead of the hackers, ensuring your security and keeping your website and data safe.
Upgrading to Keep Costs Down
Program users often complain that software upgrades are expensive and add an unnecessary cost to business operations. However, the real and potential costs of continuing to operate with an older version of software can be substantially higher than the relatively minor cost of making a minor upgrade.
In general, buying a series of minor upgrades over the years adds up to a smaller total investment than holding out and paying full price for a major software upgrade every few years. Also, a major software upgrade has many hidden costs, including employee training for a new system and the potential loss of productivity if the program is installed incorrectly. Frequent, minor upgrades ensure a smoother transition to new versions of the software and thereby help to avoid or at least mitigate these risks.
The average business owner may perceive that software upgrades are too frequent and trivial. Yet any business owner who has first-hand experience with software bugs, compatibility issues with clients, or dangerous security threats knows that regular software upgrades are an absolute necessity. Factor the cost of regular software upgrades into your business plan, and your content management system and eCart will continue to bring success to you and to your business.
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