Check your PHP version NOW!

🚨 Do you know which PHP version your website is running?

If you don’t know the answer immediately, this article is for you.

Your WordPress website might seem to be working fine. Everything functions, there are no error messages, and visitors can access your content. But behind the scenes, there could be a ticking time bomb.

Why this matters (even when everything seems fine)

PHP is the engine of your WordPress website. Without PHP, your site simply doesn’t work. And just like with a car, you need to maintain that engine – even when there are no warning lights flashing yet.

The problem: many websites are still running on old PHP versions that are no longer supported. And that means:

⚠️ Your website is vulnerable

Once a PHP version reaches end-of-life, there are no more security updates. Hackers know this and actively search for sites with outdated versions. You think everything’s fine, until suddenly you:

• Get hacked
• Have malware on your site
• Get blacklisted by Google
• Scare away customers with security warnings

🐌 Your website keeps getting slower

Old PHP versions are simply slower. An upgrade can make your website 30-50% faster – without changing anything else. Faster load times also mean better SEO and happier visitors.

🚫 Updates stop working

Plugins and themes are developed for modern PHP versions. If you’re still on an old version:

• You don’t get new features
• Updates don’t work or break your site
• You fall behind competitors
• Maintenance becomes increasingly expensive and complicated

How do I know which version I have?

Good question! Many website owners who do their own maintenance have no idea where to find this information.

You can check it via:

• Your hosting dashboard (often under “PHP settings”)
• A WordPress plugin like “Display PHP Version”
• The WordPress dashboard under Tools > Site Health

But let’s be honest: if you don’t know exactly where to look, this can be quite confusing.

What’s safe and what’s not?

Here’s the hard truth:

Version	Status	What should you do?
PHP 5.x	❌ End-of-life	Upgrade IMMEDIATELY – very unsafe
PHP 7.x	❌ End-of-life	Upgrade IMMEDIATELY – very unsafe
PHP 8.0	❌ End-of-life	Upgrade – no updates since 2023
PHP 8.1	⚠️ Expiring soon	Plan upgrade before December 2025
PHP 8.2	✅ Safe	Fine, but look ahead
PHP 8.3	✅ Recommended	Best choice for now
PHP 8.4	✅ Latest	Future-proof

Still running 5.x, 7.x, or 8.0? Your website is unsafe right now. No need to panic, but action is required.

“But everything works fine for me?”

We hear this often. And yes, your site seems to work. But:

• You can’t see security issues, until it’s too late
• Speed is relative, you don’t know how fast it could be
• You only notice compatibility when an update breaks your entire site

This is like having a lock on your door that looks good, but the key has been available online for years. Things go wrong when you least expect it.

💬 Don’t know which version you have?

I’m happy to help – completely free, no obligations.

Send me a DM with your website URL and I’ll tell you:

• ✅ Which PHP version you are running
• ✅ Whether this is safe
• ✅ What you should do, if anything

No sales pitch, no invoice, just clarity.

Because everyone deserves a secure website, even if you do the maintenance yourself.

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Do you maintain your WordPress site yourself? Smart. But you don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes it’s nice to check if everything’s set up correctly – and I’m happy to help with that.