How to Check Your WordPress Version with a Hubspot-Style Workflow

Following a Hubspot-style workflow can make it much easier to check your WordPress version, document the process, and keep your site secure and up to date.

This guide walks you step by step through the main methods you can use, why version checks matter, and how to turn this into a repeatable maintenance habit for your team.

Why a Hubspot-Inspired Process for WordPress Version Checks Matters

Before you jump into the steps, it helps to understand why a structured, Hubspot-inspired process is valuable.

• Security: Outdated WordPress versions often contain known vulnerabilities.
• Performance: New releases improve speed and resource usage.
• Compatibility: Themes and plugins are built for specific versions.
• Compliance: Agencies and in‑house teams need trackable processes.

By applying a clear process like you would in a Hubspot playbook, you reduce risk and ensure anyone on your team can repeat the steps.

Method 1: Check WordPress Version from the Dashboard (Hubspot-Style Best Practice)

The simplest and most reliable method is through the WordPress admin dashboard. This is the equivalent of using a built-in Hubspot dashboard to see account details at a glance.

Step-by-Step Dashboard Method with a Hubspot Mindset

1. Log in to your WordPress admin area.

   Go to https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin and sign in with an account that has administrator privileges.

2. Open the main Dashboard screen.

   Once logged in, you should land on the main dashboard. If not, click Dashboard > Home in the left-hand menu.

3. Locate the “At a Glance” or “Right Now” widget.

   On most sites, the top widget shows a summary of your installation. Look for a line that mentions the current WordPress version.

4. Check the WordPress version line.

   You will see wording such as “WordPress 6.x.x running your-theme”. The number after “WordPress” is your current version.

This approach is similar to checking account properties in a Hubspot dashboard: quick, visual, and ideal for non-technical users.

Alternative Dashboard Location for the Version

On some sites, the version appears in the footer of the admin pages.

1. Scroll to the very bottom of any admin page.
2. In the bottom right, look for text such as “Version 6.x.x”.

This is especially useful when the main dashboard widgets have been customized or removed.

Method 2: Use the Front-End Page Source (Non-Admin Access with a Hubspot-Like Audit)

If you do not have admin access but still need to identify the version, you can inspect the public site code. Treat this like a Hubspot-style audit, where you examine what is exposed externally.

Steps to View the Version from Page Source

1. Open the site in your browser.

   Go to the home page of the WordPress site you want to inspect.

2. View the HTML source.

   Right-click and choose View Page Source, or press Ctrl+U (Windows) / Cmd+Option+U (Mac), depending on your browser.

3. Search for “generator”.

   Use your browser’s search function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and look for the word generator.

4. Identify the WordPress meta tag.

   If it is not disabled, you may see something like:
   <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.x.x" />

Note that many site owners hide this tag for security reasons, so the version may not appear. This is similar to limiting public fields in a Hubspot portal to reduce data exposure.

Method 3: Find the Version via readme.html

Another traditional way to check the version is through the default WordPress readme.html file, though many security-conscious site owners now remove it.

How to Check the Version from the Readme File

1. Visit the readme URL.

   In your browser, go to https://yourdomain.com/readme.html.

2. Look for the version number in the heading.

   If the file is present, you will see a page titled “WordPress Version 6.x.x”, which reveals the installed version.

This method is simple, but because the file publicly exposes the version, many modern setups remove or protect it—much like securing public assets linked to your Hubspot account.

Method 4: Check the Version in version.php (Advanced, File-Level Access)

If you have access to the server via FTP, SFTP, or a hosting file manager, you can read the version from a core WordPress file. Use this when dashboard access is blocked or unavailable.

Steps to Read the Version from Core Files

1. Connect to your hosting account.

   Use your host’s file manager or an FTP/SFTP client such as FileZilla.

2. Navigate to the WordPress installation directory.

   This is usually the public_html folder or a subdirectory containing your site files.

3. Open the wp-includes directory.

   Inside the WordPress root, locate and open the wp-includes folder.

4. Find and open version.php.

   Download the file or open it in the file manager’s code editor. Look for a line like:
   $wp_version = '6.x.x';

The value assigned to $wp_version is your exact WordPress version. Treat this with the same care you would give to sensitive configuration fields connected to your Hubspot integrations.

How Often to Check WordPress Version Using a Hubspot-Style Maintenance Plan

To keep your site safe and stable, build a process similar to a Hubspot maintenance playbook.

Recommended Frequency

• Monthly: Check your version and compare it against the latest release notes.
• After Major Updates: Confirm that your production site is on the intended version after any upgrade.
• Before Plugin or Theme Changes: Verify the current version so you can test compatibility.

Turn Version Checks into a Repeatable Hubspot-Like Process

Create a simple checklist your team can follow:

1. Log the current WordPress version and date.
2. Compare against the official latest version.
3. Review plugin and theme compatibility notes.
4. Plan updates in a staging environment first.

Document this inside your internal wiki or in the same place where you manage Hubspot processes so everyone follows a consistent workflow.

Best Practices Before Updating WordPress

Checking your version is only part of the job. Before you update, follow some basic best practices.

• Back up your site: Take full file and database backups.
• Test in staging: Apply updates in a staging copy of your site first.
• Check plugin and theme compatibility: Ensure critical extensions support the new version.
• Monitor after launch: After updating, monitor error logs, forms, and key conversions, including any Hubspot-connected forms or tracking scripts.

Learn More and Apply This Beyond Hubspot and WordPress

To dive deeper into the original methods for checking your WordPress version, review the source guide on the HubSpot blog here: how to check your WordPress version.

If you want help designing a broader technical SEO and operations framework that connects WordPress maintenance with CRM and analytics tools, agencies like Consultevo can support you with implementation and consulting.

By combining a clear WordPress version-checking process with a Hubspot-style approach to documentation and reporting, you can maintain a more secure, consistent, and scalable web presence.