PHP & MySql are being used for WordPress to run your blog in the backend. At the time of writing, the most recent update of PHP is PHP 7.x *. However, currently, many hosting companies offer PHP 5.6 only, which is bad for many users. Let’s see how to change the SiteGround PHP version below.
Most websites are one way or another dependent on ‘PHP.’ One of the main reasons your site runs hassles-free is because of PHP scripts. The 2013 release of ‘PHP 5.5’ ended support for this version. A few new versions were released subsequently. As usual, they all had some extra characteristics.
You only improve the overall performance of your WordPress blog 2x by upgrading your website to run on PHP7 instead of PHP 5.6. You can move your WordPress site to PHP 7.0 or + using SiteGround two ways:
- WordPress plugin with SG Optimizer
- Using PHP Manager from SiteGround cPanel
In this article, we’re reviewing the SiteGround PHP versions. And giving you the complete details on how to change the SiteGround PHP version. We definitely recommend using the most recent PHP version for your site for the ultimate security and the best performance.
What is PHP Version?
PHP is the most common web creation of scripting language. It is an online, open-source and on the application side (code runs on the computer). MySQL is a Structured Query Language (SQL) Relational Database Management System (RDBMS).
It is also transparent and safe. The fusion of PHP and MySQL provides unmet possibilities to build virtually every kind of platform, from a simple point of communication to a massive corporate portal.
PHP is a server-side open-source platform used to build interactive web sites. This can be implemented in HTML. PHP is commonly used on Linux / UNIX site servers in combination with a MySQL database. It is perhaps the most common language for scripting.
More than 30% of the websites on the internet are using the WordPress content management system. If you’re using WordPress for your website, then you’re using PHP and MySQL as well. WordPress is programmed in PHP and uses a MySQL database to store and interpret information.
PHP Latest Version
If you want to get the most from your websites, any website owners. The “PHP” version of the websites must then be updated. Unfortunately, most of us do not even know that the PHP release of our web sites can be updated or changed.
The latest available PHP version is 7.2 when we write this article. It’s better if you update to version 7.2 or at least version 7.0 of your website at this stage. The upgrading of the PHP edition of the website has several advantages. The key purpose is to boost your website efficiency.
You do not know how you want to change the PHP version. The rest of the article must then be read. In this article, if you have a SiteGround web host, we will let you know how to change the PHP version. If the SiteGround web host account is not available to you. The guide can also be followed. All popular web hosting companies have similar basic principles for changing the version of PHP.
Check WordPress PHP Version
The best way to convert to PHP 7.x is with the SG Optimizer WordPress plug-in. However, for the few who use the outdated plugin, it might not work. Perhaps your website does not work if you’re using obsolete plugins or themes that are not PHP7 compatible.
You don’t have to worry however because away is available to check whether or not your current plugins & themes are PHP7 compliant. This is an integrated function of the free SG Optimizer plugin and I’d teach you all from in this tutorial.
Before applying any upgrade steps, you’ll need to make sure that your themes and plugins are compatible with PHP 7 version. You can do that using a plugin that automatically does a quick check and gives you the result in a few seconds.
- The Compatibility Plugin: PHP Compatibility Checker
- Check Current PHP Version: Display PHP Version
You will first check to see whether the current WordPress plugins are or are not PHP 7 compliant. The current version of PHP on your site has just been checked. You will now upgrade it if you find that you have an older edition. But you must make sure that the new version that you are going to use next is compatible before you update.
Since it’ll be a concern if there are any themes or plugins that aren’t compliant with the new PHP update. So, before changing the PHP version you better check the compatibility to avoid any issues or problems with your website.
After doing the compatibility check, you will first need to verify that all your plugins and themes are compatible with PHP 7 (Latest Version). If you’ve encountered any of the plugins not compatible, I would say it’s better to deactivate the plugin and search for compatible alternatives.
You can also use any other plugin of your choice to replace these incompatible plugins. Once you’ve taken the right action, you must click “Try to check compatibility for PHP 7.0.” & the plugin will again perform a test on your blog to optimize PHP Compatibility Checker.
The scan findings are accessible after the testing has been done. Now three types of results are available that are “compatible, alert and error.” They are all self-explaining. You can proceed and update the PHP version if all is compatible.
But check their source if you find any errors or warnings. It’ll most likely be certain topics or plugins. You can update the PHP version if they are not very important for your website. Just uninstall those themes or plugins that can not be supported. Or you can again test your other PHP version compatibility. Install the edition instead
Change SiteGround PHP Version
In cPanel, navigate to the directory you would like to change the PHP version by clicking on the folder icons. Note that the change will apply to subdirectories for the chosen directory as well. If you would like to make the change for the whole website – choose the public_html directory.
Click on the directory name. Select the desired PHP version from the list and click Save. This action will automatically change the PHP version of your website. Like I’ve mentioned, make sure to do the compatibility check to avoid breaking your website.
To have your website running on the recommended PHP version, choose the Managed PHP Version option, and click Save. This way you would ensure that your website will always be running on a new, secure and stable PHP version, when such is available, without any changes being required on your end.
Default SiteGround PHP Version
Only after their website program is compliant is it possible to continue using a new PHP update. With big website systems such as WordPress, this typically takes place very rapidly. Nonetheless, thousands of plugins can take more time for developers to upgrade their code and get ready to use the latest PHP edition.
Often, a transition to the current PHP version will trigger a breakdown of the whole site when a module is not compliant, even if the main application is ready. That’s why a new PHP update requires some time from the moment it’s launched before it’s possible to make it the default on web hosting servers.
Over the years, this approach has lead to many websites staying with an outdated PHP version. The web hosting providers are utilizing this technique to update their servers PHP version. While they make the new versions available to choose, you still can use an older version for your website.
Conclusion
You already know your web site’s current version of PHP. In addition, you checked that the new PHP version you ‘re willing to switch to was compatible. Now, in the following section, we will show you how to change the PHP version. Thus, you can start.
Once you have clicked the button, your site will run on PHP 7.0 within a few seconds. You can always upgrade or downgrade your PHP version from the same display. Is PHP on SiteGround easier to switch?
I switched to PHP 7.1 and I suggest that you do the same thing. Notice how your SiteGround Hosting performs improved after you upgrade to the latest PHP version. Let us know in the comments below if you still need any assistance. We’re available to help!
