PHP remains the leading programming language used for website development. At the end of 2019, PHP 7.4 was declared stable, but most projects still run on outdated 5.x versions. Let’s take a look at why you should switch to PHP 7 and what risks come with using older versions.
Why should you switch to PHP 7?
Reason 1. Relevance
Support for older versions is gradually being phased out. For example, support for PHP 5.6 and 7.0 has already ended, support for version 7.1 ended in early 2020, and soon the same happened with 7.2.
You can still use these versions, but they no longer receive updates and vulnerability fixes. This means that your website may be at risk if you continue to work with an outdated language. For those who care about the security and stability of their project, upgrading to PHP 7 is a necessity.
Reason 2. Website speed
Page load speed directly affects the success of Internet projects. According to research, every extra second of waiting can reduce conversion by almost 7%, and about 40% of users close the site altogether if it takes longer than three seconds to load.
PHP 7 processes requests significantly faster than versions 5.x. In real-world conditions, websites running on modern CMS and popular plugins show an almost threefold increase in speed. Of course, this is not a universal indicator, as other factors also affect speed, such as database performance or access to third-party services. But the performance gain from switching to the new version is obvious.
Why isn’t PHP 7 enabled for all websites right away?
Most popular content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, MODx, Bitrix, and others) have long supported PHP 7. Some even strongly recommend that users upgrade.
To check if your site is compatible with the new version, you can use the hosting panel tools. For WordPress, there is a handy plugin called PHP Compatibility Checker that helps test themes and extensions for compatibility. It does not provide a 100% guarantee, but it is great for initial diagnostics.
After checking, you can enable PHP 7 in the hosting control panel and test the website. If something goes wrong, you can always revert to the previous version. If you encounter serious problems, it is better to contact professional developers who will help you make the transition correctly.
Conclusion
The transition to PHP 7 is not just a formal update. It provides your website with:
- security and protection against vulnerabilities,
- faster performance,
- long-term relevance.
Don’t delay the update — the sooner you switch to the new version, the better it will be for your project.
