PHP 8.3 · PHP 8.4 · WordPress · Joomla · Custom

PHP upgrade for your website, done safely

Your host says your PHP version is end of life. We check your site, upgrade a test copy, fix what breaks and then upgrade the live site, so it keeps working. From $690 + GST.

Book a security consult Call 1300 566 652

What does "PHP end of life" mean for my website?

It means your website runs on a PHP version that no longer gets security fixes, so new vulnerabilities in it are never patched. PHP 8.1 and older are already end of life, and PHP 8.2 ends on 31 December 2026. The fix is to upgrade to PHP 8.3 or 8.4, after testing the site on a copy so nothing breaks. Cyberstore does this from $690 + GST.

Why is my host telling me to upgrade PHP?

PHP is the language your website runs on. Each version gets security fixes for a few years and then stops. Your host is warning you because your site is on a version that no longer gets fixes, or soon will not, and they will move everyone off it eventually.

When a host forces the upgrade on a site that is not ready, the usual result is a white screen, a "critical error" message, or a contact form that quietly stops sending. We do it the other way around: get the site ready first, then upgrade.

PHP versions and their end of security support
Version	Security support ends	Status
PHP 7.4	Ended 28 November 2022	No security fixes
PHP 8.0	Ended 26 November 2023	No security fixes
PHP 8.1	Ended 31 December 2025	No security fixes
PHP 8.2	31 December 2026	Upgrade now
PHP 8.3	31 December 2027	Supported
PHP 8.4	31 December 2028	Supported

Sources: php.net supported versions, HeroDevs PHP end of life timeline. Checked 23 October 2026.

// Price

What it costs

Fixed price agreed before we start. Prices are in Australian dollars and exclude GST.

Standard PHP upgrade

WordPress or Joomla site with a normal set of plugins or extensions. Test copy, fixes, live upgrade and report.

From $690

Custom PHP application

Bespoke code, older frameworks or large sites. We look at the code first and give you a fixed price.

Quoted

Ongoing care

Keep PHP, the CMS and extensions current on a security and maintenance plan.

$497 / month

If the upgrade uncovers a hack or abandoned extensions that need replacing, we stop and tell you before doing extra work.

Who does the work

Noah Greenstone, Founder and Principal Consultant. 30+ years in digital, building and securing websites in Perth since 2008. You deal with the person doing the work, not a call centre. About Noah

// How we do it

How we upgrade PHP without breaking your site

01
Check
We list your PHP version, CMS version, theme and every plugin or extension, and check each one against the target PHP version.
02
Copy
We make a full backup and a private test copy of your site, so nothing changes on the live site yet.
03
Upgrade the copy
The test copy moves to the new PHP version. We fix errors, update or replace extensions that will not run, and patch custom code.
04
Test
We click through the pages that matter: forms, logins, checkout, search and anything that makes you money.
05
Go live
The live site moves to the new PHP version at a quiet time, with the backup ready to roll back if needed.
06
Report
You get a short written summary of what changed, what we fixed and when the next upgrade will be due.

Signs your PHP version is a problem

Your host has emailed about a PHP version change or deadline
Your CMS dashboard shows a PHP warning
Plugins or extensions refuse to update
The site was built more than five years ago and never upgraded
Errors appear after the host changes something

Platforms we upgrade

WordPress, including WooCommerce
Joomla 3, 4, 5 and 6
Drupal and Magento (quoted)
Custom PHP and older frameworks

// FAQ

Common questions

My host says my PHP version is end of life. What does that mean?

It means the PHP team no longer releases security fixes for that version. Any new vulnerability found in it stays open for good. Hosts warn you because they will eventually force the upgrade, and if your site is not ready, it breaks on the day they do it.

Will upgrading PHP break my website?

It can, if you just flip the switch. Old themes, plugins, extensions and custom code often use functions that newer PHP versions removed. That is why we test on a copy of your site first, fix what breaks, and only then upgrade the live site.

How long does a PHP upgrade take?

A standard WordPress or Joomla site usually takes one to two business days from start to finish, including testing. Sites with custom code or very old extensions take longer, and we tell you that up front.

How much does a PHP upgrade cost?

From $690 + GST for a standard WordPress or Joomla site. That covers the compatibility check, a test copy, the fixes needed for common issues, the live upgrade and checks afterwards. Custom PHP applications are quoted after a look at the code.

Can I just ask my host to change the PHP version myself?

You can, and on a simple, up-to-date site it may work. The risk is a white screen or a broken checkout with nobody on hand to fix it. If you try it, take a full backup first and know how to switch back.

Which PHP version should my site run?

As of late 2026, PHP 8.3 or 8.4 is the safe choice for most sites. PHP 8.2 stops getting security fixes on 31 December 2026, so a site on 8.2 needs a plan now.

// Keep going

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// Next step