21/05/2026
WordPress 7.0 has landed! Well, it’s being rolled out as we speak and it’s one of the biggest WordPress updates we’ve seen in years.
There are some genuinely exciting changes coming with it:
✅ A native AI layer so tools like ChatGPT or Claude can integrate directly into WordPress
✅ Real-time collaboration in the editor (similar to Google Docs editing) - this feature has been slightly delayed but is expected soon
✅ A refreshed admin interface with improved navigation
✅ A redesigned revisions system so you can clearly see what changed and when
✅ New blocks, improved mobile menus, and smarter layout tools
A quick reassurance for any of my existing clients whose WordPress websites I already manage, you don’t need to worry about any of this. I’ll be handling testing, compatibility checks, backups and the update process for you to make sure everything is updated safely.
For everyone else though, please don’t just hit the update button straight away.
⚠️ Large WordPress updates can sometimes break things. Usually not WordPress itself, but the plugins your business relies on every day, checkout systems, booking forms, memberships, email automations and integrations.
Those plugins are built by different developers on different timelines, and not all of them will necessarily be ready on day one.
It’s also worth checking your hosting environment. WordPress 7.0 requires PHP 7.4 minimum, with PHP 8.3 recommended. If your hosting is still running an older PHP version, that alone could create problems.
Before updating, I’d strongly recommend:
1️⃣ Take a full backup - files and database, not just relying on your host’s backups
2️⃣ Check your important plugins are confirmed as compatible
3️⃣ Test the update on a staging site first (most hosts now offer this in one click)
4️⃣ Test the important parts afterwards - forms, checkouts, sign-ups, emails etc.
5️⃣ Only then update the live site… ideally not late on a Friday afternoon 😅
The new features genuinely do look worthwhile, and the update is absolutely worth doing. Just make sure it’s done properly and safely.
As always, backup first, test first, then update.
And if you’re unsure where to start, or would rather have someone handle it for you, feel free to drop me a message, happy to help