The self hosted WordPress.org software came out with a new update: WordPress 3.3 dedicated to the great Jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt.  (all major releases get a name from a famous Jazz musician).  Here is a new video from the WordPress.org folks with some highlights of this new version of WordPress:

And here is a short description of the changes from the WordPress.org blog

“Experienced users will appreciate the new drag-and-drop uploader, hover menus for the navigation, the new toolbar, improved co-editing support, and the new Tumblr importer. We’ve also been thinking a ton about what the WordPress experience is like for people completely new to the software. Version 3.3 has significant improvements there with pointer tips for new features included in each update, a friendly welcome message for first-time users, and revamped help tabs throughout the interface. Finally we’ve improved the dashboard experience on the iPad and other tablets with better touch support.”

Here are the steps I go through when I want to update my WordPress website to the latest version:

1) First, I backup my WordPress Website with The Backup Plugin (http://www.christinasresources.com/backupbuddy my link for Backup Buddy)
This is the simplest, easiest way to backup your WordPress websites, because it’ backs everything up !  and makes it easy to restore or copy your site to another location.

2) Second, I update my WordPress Software

3) Third,  I check to see if any plugins can be updated and if they compatible with the latest version of WordPress. If so I update those.

4) Fourth,  I click around my site in the admin to check out the new features, and then I click around on the outside of my site.

It’s also very  important to have a good hosting company that knows how to handle WordPress,  with people who understand how WordPress Works.
I have found Blue Host (http://www.ChristinasResources.com/bluehost my link) to be the best at this!  They know a lot about WordPress, and can explain things to you very well on the phone.

I’ll be teaching this new version of WordPress in my next Website Creation Workshop Coaching Program coming out in early 2012!

Watch your emails in January, 2012!